The big one that didn't get away for BOP

By CHRIS RATTUE

The touch judges ran up the white flag on Auckland's behalf in the final act of Bay of Plenty's epic Ranfurly Shield challenge.

The holders were forced to meekly land a fulltime penalty at Eden Park to claim an NPC bonus point, with the shield already in the clutches of the Bay for the first time in their 93-year history.

It was only when Auckland back Brent Ward lined up the final goal that Bay of Plenty first five-eighths Glen Jackson and his team-mates were able to start celebrating.

Right down to the last scrum, Jackson was still worried that the shield might slip from their grasp again.

"At that last scrum, I went up to [halfback] Kevin Senio and said, 'Don't put that ball in unless that scrum is stable, because we've been here before and I don't want to be there again.'.

"And there were certainly no early celebrations on the field, not with what Auckland have done to us in the past in Ranfurly Shield games.

"We weren't giving them any lip. We were pretty tight-lipped up to that final kick 'cause we've been in that situation before and lost.

"Certainly, there were memories of the 1996 game. We had a 20-point lead with eight minutes to go that time."

The 28-year-old Jackson, who made his name with Waikato, is back in the province where his career began.

He was the star of the shield win on Sunday - scoring 23 points, calmly directing an unfancied team, and landing a sideline conversion to seal the victory - even though he believed Auckland might still make a miraculous escape.

Although Jackson had been part of a long Waikato shield reign, it was his first time in a successful challenge.

The match was, he says, a pinnacle after some tough times with the middleweight union.

And that sideline goal was the piece de resistance.

"It was certainly the highlight of my career with that bunch of guys - you should have seen the celebrations and how much it meant to them," he says.

"And that goal was a special moment, not only in the game but for my career."

Little wonder, because the slim pivot with all the tricks of the trade knows the struggles that the have-nots of New Zealand rugby can go through.

Jackson was a non-playing member of the 1996 shield squad, the year before he headed off to a higher-profile stint with Waikato, and later the Chiefs.

He had always hoped to return to the Bay if they made the first division, and the arrival of David Hill at Waikato in 2001 helped to convince him it was time to shift home.

Over the next two seasons, the promoted Steamers enjoyed just three NPC championship victories, endured many huge defeats, and had to stave off the relegation threat. It was tough work.

"I was taking a massive punt, although it's a decision I'm now delighted I made," Jackson says about his return home.

"Bay of Plenty were in the doldrums and there were problems with money.

"Our base was in Rotorua and most of the team were in Tauranga.

"You'd arrive in Rotorua, where it was five degrees colder, and you'd get out of the car and think, 'This is getting tough'. When you keep losing it gets harder and harder to get motivated.

"I was the only professional in the team and we still trained at night, like club rugby.

"I remember going to do some goalkicking once and there was a bloody dog show on and I couldn't do it."

Waikato had a legendary team spirit, but the Bay players were spread far and wide. Most of them worked and could not socialise so easily.

Trainings were held at night to accommodate all the workers.

How things have changed.

Simms Davison, Ben Castle and captain Wayne Ormond have joined Jackson on fulltime Super 12 contracts.

Others players have various professional deals. And although eight players still work, they are able to make the daytime trainings.

"When Rotorua was the base, the players would jump straight out of the car and into it. And the lights were pretty dodgy," says Jackson.

"Now, guys turn up three-quarters of an hour early and work on individual skills. And it's great to have our own rugby ground."

Last year, with Mt Maunganui as their new base, the Steamers finished fifth. They now have a major trophy in the cabinet.

It's a promising beginning to what might be Jackson's final New Zealand season: he has signed a one-year deal with London club Saracens.

"Knowing what my future holds has helped my game, and I'd probably done as much as I could in this country," he says.

"It's been a great story really, from struggling in those first two seasons to sitting here with the shield and finishing fifth in the NPC.

"We're a union on the up and maybe that success will help to keep some young players here.

"There is a bit of feeling now that we do want to play for the Bay of Plenty jersey.

"And maybe we can put a little shield era together.

"There's always talk about not much interest in the shield any more, but if you come down here, you'll see it's still got a place in New Zealand rugby.

"When you've got the shield you're also a hard team to beat."