KEY POINTS:
The blueprints have been located and dusted off yet again - but this time a Ranfurly Shield parade actually will wind its way through central Wellington.
The City Council wasted little time announcing a victory/welcome home reception for the Log o' Wood after the provincial rugby title favourites blanked Auckland 27-0 on Saturday night.
Wellington's eighth successive bonus point triumph was notable for a far more important statistic - it is the first time the province has lifted the shield since handing it to Canterbury at Athletic Park in September 1982.
Success has been expected several times before Wellington's 10 subsequent challenges over the intervening 26 years, principally when they ventured to Christchurch.
But they were thwarted each time - until a five-try demolition of the reigning Air NZ Cup champions.
Acting Wellington Mayor Ian McKinnon confirmed the team and trophy would be paraded along a central city route tomorrow at lunchtime.
"By holding the parade on Tuesday rather than Monday it will give Wellingtonians a little more time to get over the fact that the Shield is back in the Capital - and to prepare for a rousing reception," he said.
It will start at 12.45pm outside the old Government Buildings, head along Lambton Quay, into Willis St and Mercer St and end at Civic Square.
Meanwhile, councillor John Morrison savoured the win, describing it as ending 26 years of psychological torment in the region.
"Now the long dark years of paranoia and self-doubt are over. Life is good and we are content"' he said, before joking it had been challenging to organise the parade.
"I know council staff went looking for local people with experience in organising Shield victory parades in the capital - but found that most have either sadly passed on, or are in rest homes."
- NZPA
