Southland take home the Ranfurly Shield after defeating Waikato. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
The Ranfurly Shield has a new home after only one week of residing in Hamilton, with Southland staging a smash and grab raid in the form of a 25-10 at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Aided by a big shift on defence in the first half and a big breeze at their backs in the second, the Stags' better adaptation of the horrific conditions was the difference against a very flat Waikato side.
Waikato admittedly did score the first try of the game when Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia drove over from a lineout, but apart from a Lima Sopoaga penalty that was as good as it got for the home side. Moana Pasifika standout Semisi Tupou-Tae'iloa got the Stags rolling with a close range try after half an hour, which was a pivotal moment considering just how influential the wind they were playing into was.
Coming back out only down by two points, the gameplan for Southland was simple: kick long and often, take the scoring opportunities and back their defence. Byron Smith nudged them ahead with a penalty, then Tupou-Tae'iloa set up a stunning try in the wet when he ran from his own half to pass for Nic Shearer to score in the corner.
Smith's conversion made it a two-score game, but they weren't content with holding the lion's share of territory and possession. After probing the Waikato defence for a dozen phases, Smith popped a perfectly weighted chip over for Michael Manson to toe on and Fletcher Morgan to score and take the game well out of reach.
There were to be no late Lima Sopoaga heroics for Waikato, as the former All Black started the game and was replaced by Aaron Cruden in the second half. But really, some questions should be asked of the utterly ineffective efforts of the current group of test players released for the game, with Luke Jacobson anonymous, Ollie Norris constantly penalised and Samipeni Finau treated like a human turnstile by Tupou-Tae'iloa on more than one occasion.
Also, there are plenty in Auckland who will be eating some humble pie after a magnificent performance by Stags midfielder Faletoi Peni. The former Manukau, Ponsonby and club player of the year was unwanted by the now-struggling Auckland set up, only to move south and become a consistent starter for Southland.
While Southland's celebrations will be deservedly hearty, they can't enjoy it too much. They face unbeaten Canterbury next Saturday afternoon in an automatic challenge, with feelings confident in red and black country that the Shield's tour of the country in 2025 will keep going.
Read how the game unfolded:
