Shield history lesson urged on hopeful Canterbury fans

Canterbury fans taking a Ranfurly Shield victory for granted on Sunday are being urged to consult the history books.

Following a comprehensive 42-7 win over Otago last Friday and the manner in which Bay of Plenty surrendered to Taranaki in a 58-14 loss yesterday, Canterbury are already favoured to return from Mt Maunganui with the shield.

Despite his squad bristling with All Blacks and no injury concerns, coach Aussie McLean delivered an early history lesson for those believing Canterbury will relieve Bay of Plenty of the shield.

"I think back to 1995 when Canterbury [holders] travelled away to King Country and we lost by a big score," McLean said.

"The next game we had was a shield defence against Wellington and we beat them by something like 50 points.

"The Ranfurly Shield affects teams when they play their away games because it's difficult to maintain that intensity every week."

McLean has a point.

In 1995 Canterbury lost 48-28 to King Country in Te Kuiti, but belted Wellington 66-17 the following week after many thought the shield would leave Christchurch.

McLean is banking on Bay of Plenty having the same sort of backyard desperation as they had in their opening shield defence when they beat Waikato 26-20.

"By the way they have played at home, I think Bay of Plenty have showed how much the shield means to them ... it shows the level of intensity they will have when defending it," McLean said.

"Mark my words, they will be a different proposition from what happened against Taranaki. I haven't really taken much notice of that [result]."

Still, the cards are stacked heavily in Canterbury's favour for next Sunday's match.

Admittedly Otago's defence was poor and their backline lacked imagination, but Canterbury's six-tries-to-one effort will have worried Bay of Plenty.


Canterbury also have up to 13 present or former All Blacks to consider for the match, whereas Bay of Plenty have no internationals.

They have lost second five-eighth Jeffrey Ierome because of a broken leg and his replacement, Grant McQuoid, has been hit with the personal tragedy of his wife losing their baby while giving birth at the weekend.

Bay of Plenty also have to remedy the way their scrum, lineout and defence struggled against Taranaki.

All Blacks Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall and Chris Jack will return to training with Canterbury this week to give the squad even more depth.

The former two will be available for selection.

- NZPA


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