Jersey momento for Sheild players

Poverty Bay Rugby Union chief executive Josh Willoughby (left) is pictured presenting Gisborne Herald editor Jeremy Muir with a Bay jersey with the names of every player who appeared in a Ranfurly Shield game. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay players involved in today’s Ranfurly Shield challenge will carry history on to Tikorangi Domain near New Plymouth.

Poverty Bay Rugby Union chief executive Josh Willoughby presented Gisborne Herald editor Jeremy Muir with a Bay jersey with the names of every player who appeared in a Ranfurly Shield game.

“We had two sets of jerseys made for the Shield game (against Taranaki today) — one set was for sponsors who had their names put on the back of the jersey, and they sold out in no time.

“The other set of 23 will be the ones worn by the players today” said Willoughby, who played centre in Poverty Bay’s most recent Shield challenge in 2008 against Auckland.

“We didn’t get to keep our jerseys back then but the players will get to keep these jerseys.

“Karen (Bryant), when she was acting CEO, came up with the idea and it will make the occasion even more memorable for the players.”

The Bay team are back in Gisborne tomorrow.

When asked what time they would be bringing the Shield home, Willoughby laughed and said “if we win, we might be taking the long way home”.

The game, which kicks off at 2.30pm, is being televised live on Sky Sport 1.