Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield , also known as the Log of Wood , is the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand in the sport of rugby union . The first game for the Ranfurly Shield was played in 1904. The competition is still based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout system . The shield holder must defend the trophy in challenge games. If the challenger wins, he becomes the new holder of the shield.
Although the professionalization of rugby has spawned tournaments like the ITM Cup and Super Rugby , the Ranfurly Shield is still considered the most important award in New Zealand rugby. This is mainly thanks to its long history and the fact that every challenge has the character of an endgame to defend the shield.
The current shield holder is the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union . She won it against the Counties of Manukau Rugby Union on August 30, 2014.
history
In 1901, the then Governor General of New Zealand , Uchter Knox, 5th Earl of Ranfurly , declared that he would donate a trophy to the national rugby federation New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). When the trophy (actually a cup) was presented to her, the NZRU decided that it should be awarded to the best provincial team of 1902, which then has to defend it in every home game.
The shield was originally intended as a football trophy, not a rugby trophy. A football player was shown on the engraving in the center. The illustration was modified by adding painting poles on the soccer goal so that it looks like a rugby game scene.
The Auckland RFU team , undefeated in 1902, became the first team to be awarded the Shield. In 1903 Auckland toured and did not play any home games for this reason. So it didn't have to defend the Shield that year. The first defense took place in 1904 against the Wellington RFU . It was unsuccessful as Auckland lost 6-3.
Since the introduction of the New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC) rugby championship in 1976, all home games the Shield holder plays in the NPC are automatic challenges.
When Canterbury RFU won the Shield against Waikato RU in 1994 , it was in poor shape. It had large cracks and lots of dents. Almost a century of use had left its mark. Canterbury player Chris England, a trained carpenter, restored the shield and brought it back to its former beauty.
regulate
The shield holder at the end of each season is required to accept at least seven challenges for the next year. In addition to all home games during the championship (except in the knockout phase), the shield holder must also accept challenges from provinces from the other division before each season.
The shield holder cannot be compelled to defend the shield in an away game unless he has explicitly chosen to do so. Auckland, for example, did so in a number of games during their record defenses from 1985 to 1993.
If a challenger wins the shield, he is the defender for all remaining home games of the season.
Shield holder
Status: September 2017
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See also
Web links
- The Ranfurly Shield . Scrum - New Zealand Rugby Resource, archived from the original onFebruary 27, 2009; accessed on September 7, 2014(English, original website no longer available).