Manawatu's 40-year Ranfurly Shield drought continues after a loss to Taranaki.

Wanganui to also focus on shoring up backline defence.

Cameron Crowley to tie Wanganui record for Shield challenges.

First Shield game played in Hawera in nearly 100 years.

Local team does well in the three 40 minute format in Taihape. Selectors have tough calls.

The shift to e-programmes has sports memorabilia collectors outraged.

Mayor says no reason Whanganui can't host high level rugby

Riccitelli rates last night's incredible Shield win as one of the best in his career.

Taranaki have pulled off the greatest ever Ranfurly Shield heist.

It was more a slight temperature than Shield fever in Mid Canterbury today.

Amidst rampant Lions fanfare, Ranfurly Shield rugby is back.

Rare rugby memorabilia belonging to All Blacks legend Charlie Saxton up for auction

Team has two more training runs to be ready for Canterbury.

Majority of 2016 Meads Cup winners named for mid-season clashes.

After coming away with a 29-23 victory over Waikato at FMG Stadium last night, Canterbury claimed the Ranfurly Shield for the first

Waikato withstood a fierce challenge from North Harbour to rack up the fourth win of their current Ranfurly Shield tenure.

Waikato will take the Ranfurly Shield into the Mitre 10 Cup season after an unconvincing 32-12 victory over Wanganui in their last pre-season defence.

Waikato have retained the Ranfurly Shield, and given their coaching staff plenty to ponder in the process.

Debut at a Hamilton strip club is the latest colourful incident in shield's history of ending up in strange places.

A hat-trick to Waikato halfback Brad Weber carried Waikato to a stunning Ranfurly Shield win in Napier, halting Hawke's Bay's tenure at 11 successful defences.

Relive all the action from tonight's Ranfurly Shield challenge as Hawke's Bay retained the Log O' Wood again Ranfurly Shield.

Hawke's Bay edged a step closer to securing the Ranfurly Shield for the summer after surviving the fierce challenge of Bay of Plenty.

The Magpies are on their way to the Championship final after dispatching North Harbour to retain the Log o' Wood in Napier last night.

Wellington fans will be contemplating the prospect of their side getting something out of a dismal season after all as they look forward to a Ranfurly Shield challenge.

When Hawke's Bay rugby star Trent Boswell-Wakefield runs on to the field to help defend the Ranfurly Shield tonight, he will be doing it for his number one fan - his mum.

Counties Manukau are steeling themselves for their first stern Ranfurly Shield defence of the season in Pukekohe this afternoon.

On a slippery night when good skills show out, the Steelers displayed enough of their wares to subdue a worthy Mid Canterbury challenge in Pukekohe.

That might be the message conveyed to the Steelers as they contemplate their second Ranfurly Shield defence of the season.