Taniwha can recapture the magic, touch wood

The Taniwha head down to Christchurch today to take on the perennial guardians of the Ranfurly Shield, Canterbury. To many of New Zealand's rugby public, they will attempt the impossible, but as their injured captain and mentor Justin "Gus" Collins says, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings - and he should know. Gus is the only one in the squad to have ever lifted the country's most famous provincial prize - and he did it at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
He talks to Advocate reporter Peter Thorley.
Gus Collins  is a true believer in Ranfurly Shield rugby and senses that Northland have a sneaky chance to bring it home with them to Whangarei this weekend.
It's a David versus Goliath struggle but it's what the competition for the "log o' wood" has been largely about since it started in 1903.
"It's going to be a mammoth task to lift it but it's possible, and I think it would be the proudest moment in my career if it were to come back here, because going down there and winning has got to rank as one of the hardest tasks in rugby," Collins said.
Being the underdog has its advantages, though.
"We've got nothing to lose, all the pressure's on them ... the only thing that's certain is that Canterbury will turn up to defend it with everything they've got," he said.
Collins, whose head injury during the Blues Super-14 campaign prematurely ended his season and probably his playing career, said there was magic surrounding Ranfurly Shield rugby.
"I was involved in a number of shield challenges, but I only managed to win it once ... most people never get the chance to taste shield rugby.There are All Blacks who have enjoyed 10-year careers but have never even been involved in a single challenge," he said.
He considers himself lucky to have had the chance to lift the trophy high, in victory celebrations after Auckland's defeat of Canterbury at the end of the 2003 season.
"I only ever pulled it off once, and unfortunately it was when I was playing for Auckland and we went down and beat Canterbury," he said.
He said Auckland were able to score all the tries against Canterbury but the southern side never gave up and the boot of Andrew  Mehrtens kept them within range throughout the tense second half.
"It's that sort of attitude that makes shield history amazing," he said.
"It's a massive occasion down there and the way the Cantabrians defend the shield, they deserve to hold it more than anyone else."
Air New Zealand Cup points - although desperately needed by Northland - are secondary this week as the province focuses on the shield challenge. He said that civic occasions, parades and school visits would follow a  Taniwha win.
"It's pretty awesome, the whole region gets behind it because of the magic surrounding it ... and the reaction of the home province really brings home how important it really is," he said.
Northland: Jared Payne (c), Simon Munro, Damien Fakafanua, Derek Carpenter, Rene Ranger, Lachie Munro, Rhyan Caine, Cameron Eyre, Joel McKenty, Roy Griffin, Cam Jowitt, Daniel Goodwin, Karl Haitana, Mikaele Tuu'u, Bronson Murray.
Reserves: Tim Dow, Matt Wallis, Pat O'Conner, Matt Clutterbuck, Luke Hamilton, David Holwell, Jon Elrick.
Canterbury: Colin Slade, Sean Maitland, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman (c), Tu Umaga-Marshall, Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Ash Parker, Matt Todd, Michael Paterson, James Broadhurst, Sam Whitelock, Peter Borlase, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Andrew Olorenshaw, Nasi Manu, Aaron McCoy, Tyson Keats, Chris Small, James Paterson.