The pride of New Zealand's rugby provinces, the hard fought battles, the grit and determination, the blood, sweat and tears - all to hold aloft the Ranfurly Shield - the log of wood.
Rugby teams strive to successfully challenge for the Shield. Once firmly in the grasp of the rugby province, the visiting teams attempt to grab the glory for themselves, pitting strength and determination against the holders who will do everything in their power to keep hold of the Shield.
When the smaller rugby unions make a successful challenge for the Shield, you are guaranteed that the people in the towns, come together as one. This usually results in parades down the main streets, shop windows decorated and a general 'buzz' in the air for what everyone knows is the peak of provincial rugby, retaining the Ranfurly Shield.
In 1901, the Earl of Ranfurly, Governor of New Zealand, announced his intention of presenting a cup to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, of which he was patron. Ranfurly made no stipulation as to what form the competition for the trophy should take, leaving the national union to decide. The annual general meeting of the NZRFU in 1902 decided that the cup should be for competition among affiliated unions on a challenge basis, the first holder to be the union with the best record for the 1902 season.
When the trophy arrived it was found to be a shield, rather than a cup, and had obviously been designed for a soccer competition. The centre-piece was duly altered and on 13 September, 1902, the shield was presented by the Governor to G.H.Dixon, the Auckland delegate to the NZRFU. Auckland, with an unbeaten record, was declared the first winner of the Ranfurly Shield.
The current holder of the Ranfurly Shield is Southland
