BRING ON THE SHIELD

Ngati Porou East Coast will challenge Hawke’s Bay for the Ranfurly Shield in the country’s smallest rugby union’s centenary year. It has been confirmed the Sky Blues will take on the Magpies at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday, July 24, dependent on Hawke’s Bay winning their first challenge of 2021 against North Otago. The challenge adds to an already memorable year for the Coast, which officially marks its centenary this holiday weekend, including its traditional Queen’s Birthday local derby against Poverty Bay. The picture below is of Coast players following their epic National Provincial Championship second division final against Hawke’s Bay at McLean Park in 2001. Coast fans filled the ground to watch their beloved side outscore the Magpies five tries to two but lose the final 30-27. It is expected the Shield challenge will attract similarly immense support. Gisborne Herald file pictures

Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby Union's centenary celebrations have been enhanced with confirmation they will challenge Hawke's Bay for the coveted Ranfurly Shield in July.

“We're absolutely excited to have a Ranfurly Shield challenge as part of our centenary year calendar,” Coast chief executive Cushla Tangaere-Manuel said.

The union is counting down to a massive Queen's Birthday Weekend on which its 100th anniversary will be officially marked, including the Coast's annual derby against Poverty Bay at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria on Saturday.

The Shield challenge is the first time the Coast has played for the “Log o' Wood” since their 2013 attempt against Waikato when they lost 63-10 at Ruatoria.

Scheduled to take place at McLean Park on July 24, it will be NPEC's eighth attempt to win the Shield.

“This is of great significance to Ngati Porou whanui and we look forward to visiting Ngati Kahungunu and packing out McLean Park,” said Tangaere-Manuel.

“It's great for our players to have the opportunity, especially with coach Hosea Gear on the ground with us after Covid hindered his travel plans last year.”

Former All Black and Poverty Bay player Gear had to coach the NPEC side from afar last year as he was not able to return to the country under Covid-19 restrictions.

The possibility of a shield challenge was first discussed when he got the job of head coach in 2019 but it still didn't feel like a reality,” he said.

“I haven't had a chance to let it process yet, with all my attention and energy going into this weekend (against Poverty Bay).”

Hawke's Bay union chief executive Jay Campbell said they were excited to be able to be part of the centenary celebrations and were looking forward to hosting the Coast.

“The Ranfurly Shield brings out loads of support. It is the pinnacle of New Zealand rugby trophies. I have no doubt the Ngati Porou faithful will come down in droves.

“I was living in London in 2001 when Hawke's Bay hosted the Coast in that epic final but plenty of my mates have told me the atmosphere was up there with a test match, and knowing how passionate Ngati Porou are, it will no doubt be similar.”

The epic match Campbell was referring to was the 2001 National Provincial Championship (NPC) second division final between the Coast and Hawke's Bay's Magpies at McLean Park.

Coast fans filled the ground, outnumbering the locals, and watched as their team scored five tries to two but lost 30-27 in a titanic battle.

It is expected such an atmosphere will be recreated in July although that will also depend on Hawke's Bay getting past their first Shield challengers of the year — North Otago on June 30.

Hawke's Bay are competing in the national championship Premiership division this year after being promoted from the Championship division in 2020.

The Coast have played 29 games against Hawke's Bay and have won just once since they first met in 1932 — 16-8 in Napier.

Before 2006 both teams were in the NPC and played regularly but it has been 16 years since they last faced off, the Coast losing heavily, 79-0.

Last year the Coast played the Hawke's Bay Development squad and lost 85-24.