Shield odds favour holders

Wellington have the wood on Canterbury, except when it comes to the Ranfurly Shield.

A paradoxical record injects real interest into the most-anticipated NPC first-division match of the season at Jade Stadium tonight, when Wellington must try to remember how to win the shield.

Holders Canterbury were the team to end Wellington's last shield tenure, in 1982. Since then, the capital's side have tried and failed in nine challenges, including four in Christchurch.

By contrast, Wellington are the only team with historical NPC bragging rights against Canterbury, boasting a 16-13 win-loss record. Indeed, Canterbury have won just two of their last eight meetings, one of which was last year's final.

The other was their dramatic shield defence in 2001, when debatable rulings by referee Steve Walsh and a Ben Blair try on fulltime robbed the visitors.

The challenge two years ago was also action-packed, Wellington storming back from a huge deficit to draw 38-38.

Coach John Plumtree's men need to turn the clock back 49 years and a day to when they last lifted the shield in Christchurch.

While Wellington's current three-match winning sequence offers hope, Canterbury's gritty defence against Waikato last Saturday shows how hard they can be.

Both sides are still missing resting All Blacks - five from Canterbury and two from Wellington - although Canterbury welcome back Greg Somerville, and Wellington have Jerry Collins.

Wellington's backs have been in sparkling form entering this game, but will need their forwards to match the industry of the Canterbury pack.

- NZPA