Back to business for Harbour after party time

Adrian Donald of North Harbour (left) enjoys the Ranfurly Shield with a group of supporters. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

After recovering today from partying into the early hours at winger Jonah Lomu's house, North Harbour's players will put their Ranfurly Shield rugby celebrations behind them and go back to business tomorrow.

North Harbour meet Waikato in Hamilton on Sunday in their final Air New Zealand Top Six fixture, a match that could hand the winners a home semifinal.

Team manager Steve Allen said the plan had been to let the players enjoy themselves after they ended Canterbury's two-year tenure of the shield yesterday.

"But they are employees of the union and they are back to work tomorrow morning," he said.

"That's the start of their business week as far as we are concerned."

About 50 fans were at Auckland Airport late last night to greet skipper Rua Tipoki and his team home after their 21-17 triumph at Jade Stadium.

From there, the players, team management and union officials headed to the premises of one of their sponsors, Pat's Garage, a Takapuna bar.

About 1am, the party and the Shield went by bus to Lomu's house, where the celebrations continued.

A civic function, including a parade through the centre of Takapuna, is being planned, possible for Wednesday or Thursday.

North Harbour's victory ends a long wait for the union. They had challenged for the Log of Wood 11 times before in their 21-year history and had struck out each time.

They will now get to keep the trophy through the summer, their first defence not coming until next season.

North Harbour chief executive Brett Hollister said a feeling of euphoria remained in the air and he acknowledged that getting everybody's feet back on the ground could be an issue.

"It's going to be a big ask, but this is a pretty special and pretty motivated team," he said.

"We've got a great management team and I'm sure they won't take their eye off the ball."

He said it remained to be seen what the victory would mean to the union.

"I guess only time will tell," he said.

"Hopefully it's the catalyst to galvanise the community behind this rugby team, which has played with a lot of character this year."

- NZPA