Rugby: Ponsonby after seventh Gallaher title

Ponsonby players line up University's John Afoa. Photo / Richard Robinson

Ponsonby is gunning for a seventh Gallaher Shield title in today's final at Eden Park, and is thus looking to extend an unprecedented record in Auckland premier rugby.

Ponies' run began in 2004 when they repelled Grammar-Carlton, the last time the latter has contested a Gallaher decider.

An unbeaten streak of 41 in major competition games came to a halt at the hands of Varsity last month.

But the more telling result may be the 20-19 nailbiting loss to Grammar-Carlton in the final round-robin match three weeks ago. That tense tussle culminated in a late, long range drop goal by Auckland squad first five Ash Moeke for the victory.

However, Ponies overturned the form book with an accurate 22-6 semifinal win over University last weekend and enter this match with no injuries and primed to maintain this extraordinary record.

There is plenty of experience through the XV, with Ben Atiga at centre and Paul Williams on the left wing, while No 10 Gareth Anscombe has given a series of accomplished displays now that he has usurped the starting jersey from the stalwart Brett Williams. The admirable hooker Mark Hooper again skippers the defending champs.

Grammar-Carlton, under the coaching of Craig Hall and Darryl Menzies, and the leadership of North Harbour-bound halfback Grayson Hart, has racked up nearly 800 points in 17 matches.

A well balanced side based around the fluent 9-10 combination of Hart and Ash Moeke, they work off industrious flankers Onosa'i Auva'a and Hamish Paterson. There is pace out wide too through Auckland squad members Dave Thomas and Atieli Pakalani.

Last weekend, Grammar-Carlton beat a plucky Pakuranga 23-7 in the other semifinal.

Kickoff is at 2.45pm, while the 12.30pm curtainraiser is the Under 21 Arthur Bayliss Cup final, again featuring Ponsonby and Marist, who contested the 2009 silverware.