Bay of Plenty shock Auckland and take Ranfurly Shield

5.45pm - UPDATE

First five-eighth Glen Jackson scored every possible way for a total 23 points as unfancied Bay of Plenty stole New Zealand's prized rugby shield, the Ranfurly Shield, from Auckland today.

The match doubled as an NPC fixture, and Bay of Plenty shocked the shield holders at Auckland's own home ground, Eden Park, 33-28 to leave one of country's richest and most powerful provincials with just one point from the game.

That, too, appeared to have been earned in desperation when Auckland opted to take a penalty kick only seconds from the end to earn a bonus point for finishing within seven points.

Both teams scored three tries each, with Bay of Plenty sealing the victory with a try by winger Anthony Tahana when they had Auckland on the back foot for most of the last 10 minutes.

They were leading 26-25 before Tahana's try.

The single star of the match however was playmaker and kicker Jackson, who scored a try and kicked three penalties, a dropped goal and three conversions.

Though Bay of Plenty led 20-15 at halftime, Auckland looked set to retain the shield when their fullback Isa Nacewa crossed for their third try and Brent Ward kicked the conversion and added his second penalty to give them a 20-25 lead by the 56th minute.

But Jackson, who had been steadily reeling back the deficit or keeping Bay of Plenty's nose in front, kicked a penalty and then a dropped goal to put in team in front 26-25.

"It's a hard place to come and play rugby let alone win," Bay of Plenty captain Wayne Ormond said of Eden Park.

"But we did the work to get the result."

The Aucklanders were "gutted", their captain Angus MacDonald said.

"They (Bay of Plenty) threw everything into it. We built up our game well but couldn't finish it," he said.

"We're gutted."

BOP 33 (Grant McQuoid, Glen Jackson, Anthony Tahana tries; Jackson 3 pen, dropped goal, 3 con), Auckland 28 (Tony Koonwaiyou, David Gibson, Isa Nacewa tries; Brent Ward 3 pen, 2 con).

Halftime: 20-15.

- NZPA


NPC fixtures