Lee Stensness: History of epic Shield clashes sets stage for rivals

As attention turns toward Saturday's Ranfurly Shield challenge between the two great Shield rivals, Auckland and Canterbury, the main danger for all concerned is expectation. Although no one from either team would say so publicly, Canterbury will be expecting to hold the Shield, and on the other hand Auckland will be expecting to win. Meanwhile, the public will be expecting another classic encounter.

The signs look good. The ingredients are there: history, quality players and a big occasion.

Auckland-Canterbury Ranfurly Shield challenges are littered with memorable games; 2003 in Christchurch when Auckland won 40-31, 1995 in Christchurch when Auckland won 35-0, the 1990 "no scrums" challenge, the 1985 "Match of the Century", the 1966 11-11 draw at Eden Park, and, in 1960, Waka Nathan's try for Auckland to make it 19-18 and keep the Shield.

All these illustrate the epic nature of matches between these two great rivals.

The rugby public of Canterbury, who seem to be "rugby-ed out", will no doubt come out in large numbers for this challenge on that expectation - and their hatred of Auckland gives them another reason to get to Jade Stadium.

I have written before about the "hate factor" in Canterbury teams playing Auckland. For Auckland players, the same degree of emotional intensity may not be there in this element, but make no mistake, the players know what it means to play and beat Canterbury. It is a special rivalry.

The bumper crowd will provide a special atmosphere for all concerned, but especially for the Auks.

Players love that "us against all them" situation. In 1995, the crowd was seething well before the match and in the early stages. But it was the silence towards the end that made the atmosphere even better that day.

To make the game even bigger, the Shield challenge will also serve as a pseudo-All Black trial, not so much for the returning All Blacks but for the other players, most of whom are fringe All Blacks or up-and-comers.

The return of the frontline All Blacks is timely. In the eyes of the selectors, those players will add an extra edge of intensity and quality, while the test-match-like intensity and winner-take-all significance will provide a true litmus test for contenders with many direct match-ups or comparisons between players.

There are potentially interesting contests all over the park, such as John Afoa v Campbell Johnstone in the front row, Jerome Kaino v Mose Tuiali'i in the loose forwards, and Ben Atiga v Casey Laulala in the midfield, while other contenders will be able to test themselves against the best - for example, Daniel Braid against Richie McCaw and Scott Hamilton against Joe Rokocoko.

Any Auckland-Canterbury game is a big game, but a Ranfurly Shield clash is even bigger. This Saturday the history and the hype are there, Auckland will undoubtedly attack and have the ability to win, while Canterbury are proud defenders, as they have proven this season.

It promises to be an epic - and that's what we have come to expect.