Auckland looking to rerun famous victory

Auckland celebrate winning the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury in 1985.

Former Auckland rugby coach John Hart gives no chance of history repeating itself this weekend when the boys in blue and white head south to Canterbury to challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.

Almost 20 years ago to the day, in perhaps the most famous domestic rugby match in New Zealand history, the Auckland side bolted out to a 24-nil lead by the end of the first half.

"They won't get a start like that on Saturday," Hart said. "That was a rather unique occasion.

"We caught them totally off-guard in the way we attacked."

The Auckland side of 1985 went on to win the match 28-23, with Canterbury hot on attack in the dying seconds. Auckland then defended the shield for nearly eight successive seasons.

Hart rated today's Auckland side as having a 50-50 chance of winning Saturday evening's clash, much the same odds he gave his own side when it ran on to Lancaster Park in 1985.

"I would hope they would win on Saturday, but it's going to be a difficult game because Canterbury are a very good side and they played badly last week, which won't help Auckland."

There were many similarities between today's two sides and those of 20 years ago, he said. "Both are stacked full of All Blacks and like '85 they are clearly the best two sides in the country."

It was crucial the Auckland backs used their speed and guile if the team wanted to lift the Log o' Wood, but securing and retaining the ball in the forwards would be where the real challenge lay, Hart said.

One of the key players to secure the ball for Auckland back in 1985 was Gary Whetton. He said he would be travelling to Jade Stadium this weekend with a group of friends to see the clash.

Whetton said he always had a sense of nostalgia whenever the two sides clashed in a Ranfurly Shield game.

The '85 match rated in the top three games of his career, the other two being the All Black World Cup win in '87 and his All Black debut against the South Africans in 1981.

Being "completely biased", he said Auckland would win if the team played to its ability.

"It would be foolish of them to change the pattern that's worked for them so well this season. They push the envelope here and there and that's probably cost them points against, but then again they've made up for that when they've done something different and it's worked."

Canterbury were masters of playing a structured game and would punish any mistakes, he said.