Jeweller savours Shield moment after 30 years waiting

4.00pm

Tony Truss was delighted to be part of New Zealand rugby history yesterday.

"I've waited 30 years to engrave this bastard," the Rotorua jeweller said as he etched the words "Bay of Plenty 2004" on the Ranfurly Shield.

Truss was rapt to be chosen to mark Bay of Plenty's historic moment.

"I've engraved some prestigious stuff over the years, but the Ranfurly Shield, to me, that's been the challenge," he said.

"You simply can't deny the history of it with the Bay coming so agonisingly close on so many occasions.

"You always think this time, this time ... but on this occasion they did it and I am really rapt for the boys."

Bay of Plenty won the shield for the first time in the province's history on Sunday when they beat Auckland 33-28 in Auckland.

The shield's visit to Rotorua was part of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's promise to take the trophy on a tour of the region.

After satisfying fans at Malfroy Primary School, the City Focus and Rotorua Boys' High School yesterday, the shield was today to visit Whakatane, Edgecumbe and Opotiki before returning to Tauranga as Bay of Plenty prepare for their first shield defence against Waikato in Mt Maunganui on Sunday.

Morrie Geenty, who was part of the Bay of Plenty team who came agonisingly close to claiming the shield in 1960, was one of a group of friends who watched Truss as he engraved the shield.

"We missed winning the shield by three points and I've been chasing it ever since," he said.

"It's finally wonderful to get the opportunity to get my hands on it."

The shield was brought to Truss by Bay of Plenty player Paul Tupai.

The big No 8 said he had been in a spin since becoming the temporary custodian of the shield.

"The last few days have been such a whirlwind, but simply amazing -- a dream come true. It's wonderful to share this with so many people."

Caption: Tony Truss engraves the Ranfurly Shield with the words "Bay of Plenty 2004"

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)