Time to back our Bay as Ranfurly shield decided

BATTLE ON: Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller and Tukituki MP Craig Foss are "Backing Their Bays" for the Ranfurly Shield game on Saturday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The fight for the Ranfurly Shield is turning personal and political with MPs putting a box of regional fruit on the line.

Tukituki MP Craig Foss and Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller are "Backing Their Bays" for the Ranfurly Shield game this Saturday.

The Hawke's Bay Magpies will be defending the shield against the Bay of Plenty Steamers in Napier, kicking off at 2.35pm.

The National Party caucus has a Ranfurly Shield badge which has been passed to the National MP whose region holds the shield.

"I have had the pleasure of wearing the National Party caucus Ranfurly Shield badge since last season," Tukituki MP Craig Foss said. "I have no intention of passing it on as I am confident that the mighty Hawke's Bay Magpies will deal to the other Bay.

"So confident in fact, that I have bet a case of Hawke's Bay apples against a box of kiwifruit, that we will hold the shield."

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller was equally confident the shield would pass hands on Saturday.

"It will be a great game, but I am confident our boys will pull it off and return the shield to the real Bay for the second time in its history. I'm looking forward to chewing on a few apples and polishing the shield badge."

Also confident the Steamers would reclaim the shield was long-time supporter Hori Leaming, perhaps better known as Hori BOP.

"It's coming home. It's done the rounds. It's coming back to where it belongs," he said.

Mr Leaming said the signs all pointed to victory for the team this afternoon. Critics pointed out the Magpies had a strong side but Wellington also had a good team and they were beaten by Otago this week, he said.

"I think the team's been improving slowly all year - they've had a couple of hiccups."

The team learned lessons during their recent losses and he was confident they would not make the same mistakes.

"They are better than what we saw against Taranaki. They'll go down there and give it a shake. We are a better side this year. We're looking better and better all the time. We're going to win the shield again this year," he said.

"It's all thanks to the coaching management by Clayton McMillan. He's doing a great job of coaching that team. The players are really stepping up."

Mr Leaming was looking forward to supporting the team from the stands when they take to the field in Napier this afternoon.

"These challenges don't come around very often. They are few and far between. When we get them we've got to go against them with a passion. It's the holy grail of New Zealand rugby."