Shield of dreams for North Harbour [+pictures]

North Harbour rugby union founding chairman Chris Kennings celebrates the historic Ranfurly Shield victory. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

It has been a long time coming, but finally North Harbour, the Cinderella province, has lifted this country's most coveted rugby prize.

It has been 21 years since the breakaway union was formed to give some talented Auckland players a chance to play provincial rugby. In that time Harbour never won the Ranfurly Shield in 11 challenges.

That changed with yesterday's 21-17 victory over Canterbury.

For North Harbour's founding chairman, Chris Kennings, it was a moment to celebrate and the chance to break out a bottle of champagne he had kept for 10 years.

"I bought it for the challenge against Taranaki in 1996 and it has been waiting ever since," said Mr Kennings, who uncorked the bottle of Charles Courbet last night. "It was the sweetest taste, I can tell you."

After the game at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, skipper Rua Tipoki kissed the shield before lifting it above his head.

"For a lot of us [this] is going to be the biggest game of our lives so it's just fitting we have played a team like you guys and it's going to be something we will remember forever," he said.

He thanked all North Harbour supporters.

"This is for you guys. This is for anyone who ever supported Harbour, anyone who ever wore the Harbour jersey ... so stick behind us and we are just going to keep on going. Kia ora everybody."

At Auckland Airport late last night, where 50 fans dressed in team colours chanted "Harbour" as the squad arrived, Tipoki said: "It's awesome. We are just a little union."

North Harbour Supporters' Club vice-president Rene van Hof said: "It was a fantastic day. I knew this day was going to come, but I just wasn't sure when."

All Black Luke McAlister said words could not describe how he felt about the win.

"It's cool when you come back like this and there are so many fans. We didn't know what to expect but we heard all the chanting as we were coming down the escalator.'

Earlier, former All Black Walter Little, who made 145 appearances for North Harbour, said history had been made.

"Just to beat Canterbury is an achievement in itself, but to go down there and do it is fantastic," he said.

"To win it, the feeling for those players must be fantastic. They've made history."

Another former Harbour player and All Black said it was a good Canterbury team, but he believed Harbour could win it.

"The win was fantastic," said Ron Williams, who played 146 games for the province from its inception in 1985 until 1994.

"We have been waiting for a long time - 21 years. They played with a lot of character. They've done something none of us ever managed to do."

North Harbour's jubilant players may also dine out on the fact that the treasured shield is now safe for the summer.

There will be satisfaction, too, in denying their great rivals Auckland a shot at lifting the shield next weekend, an assignment Auckland would have approached with great confidence.


North Shore City Mayor George Wood, who has been to every Harbour challenge made to lift the Log o' Wood, said he would begin planning a council event to celebrate.

Ex-All Black Frano Botica - another of Harbour original - said the win spelled a very bright future for the team.

"It's always great to get that monkey off your back when you haven't won something, and it's been like that for a while."

Mr Kennings said his heart had been broken many times as his team tried but failed to lift the shield.

"During the game it was racing, then finally it exploded. This is the biggest game some of these players will have in their career. There's something magical about the Ranfurly Shield."

Yesterday's game was the first he had not been to in person, instead watching it on television. "I think I may have been the jinx. I think I'll stay away in future."