Rugby: Ranfurly Shield heads south

Canterbury won the Ranfurly Shield on Saturday after drubbing Waikato 26-18 at Rugby Park, Hamilton.

The red and blacks made fewer mistakes, won the battle up front and deserved to end Waikato's three-year tenure.

The Mooloo men started strongly - two penalties to Glen Jackson and a Roger Randle try taking Waikato out to a 13-6 lead.

Canterbury struck back within minutes with winger Marika Vunibaka dotting down after a sharp kick and chase.

Fullback Ben Blair kicked his third penalty for the southerners to take a slender lead going into the break.

Errors proved costly to the home side in the second half, and after Blair kicked two more penalties Canterbury started to look more comfortable.

Substitute Mark Mayerhofler helped consolidate that lead, setting up halfback Justin Marshall for a try and a 26-18 lead.

A try to centre Keith Lowen helped to close the gap but it was all too little, too late for Waikato.

Standout players for Canterbury were Norm Maxwell, Andrew Mehrtens and man of the match Blair.


- HERALD ONLINE STAFF