Log o' Wood catches Bay on back foot

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

The Steamers' historic Ranfurly Shield triumph seems to have caught the Bay of Plenty on the back foot.

In the province's main centres yesterday people were scrambling to find ways to celebrate the coup.

It was almost as if the 33-28 win over Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday was but a dream.

Despite 18 challenges, Bay of Plenty had never won the coveted Log 'o Wood before so perhaps the disbelief was understandable.

While civic fathers hastily planned victory parades, the prized shield was enjoying a series of informal outings.

Paul Tupai, the big No 8 who played a memorable 100th game for the union, was temporary custodian of the trophy after Sunday's triumph.

He shared it with fans when the team's bus stopped at the Red Fox Tavern on the way home.

In Tauranga, hundreds more Steamers supporters got to touch the trophy at the Fraser Cove World's End Sports Cafe.

Then Tupai took the Shield home to Rotorua for the night. And yes, he did sleep with his arm around it.

"It had its own pillow," the 29-year-old laughed.

Yesterday the old log went to Tupai's daughter Leah's school for "show and tell" and his son Connor's kindergarten. Then wife Nadine showed it off to her workmates.

A nephew's school got a look and a visit was made to Tupai's old school, Western Heights High.

On the way to Bay of Plenty rugby headquarters in Tauranga to hand the trophy over, he met team-mate Andrew Leota in Paengaroa and called at his son's school.

But the Shield's day out was not over yet. Steamers coach Vern Cotter couldn't resist showing it off at his old school, rural Te Ranga Primary near Te Puke.

Over the next few days the trophy is expected to visit Rotorua, Whakatane and Opotiki.

A civic reception will be hosted by Tauranga Mayor Jan Beange on Saturday and a victory parade held downtown at 1pm.