Rugby: Bay battle one for the ages

It has been nine years since the Steamers challenged for the Ranfurly Shield. Photo / File

Bay of Plenty rugby supporters will be hoping Split Enz got it wrong when they wrote their hit song History Never Repeats.

Tomorrow afternoon the Bay of Plenty Steamers take on Hawke's Bay for the Ranfurly Shield in Napier.

The match coincides with the 10th anniversary of the greatest day in Bay of Plenty rugby history on August 15, 2004, when the Ranfurly Shield was finally won by Bay of Plenty.

It was the union's 19th challenge for the coveted Log o' Wood, and the team captained by Wayne Ormond defeated mighty Auckland by 33-28 at Eden Park.

Glen Jackson, now an international referee, was the individual star with 23 points, but it was the collective might of the whole Steamers team that stunned Auckland that unforgettable day.

Steamers head coach Kevin Schuler is after the same commitment and 80-minute effort from his team tomorrow. "It is a pretty special occasion. I only ever had one challenge myself. They are often once in a lifetime opportunities for players."

"With the way the season is going, this is a real highlight and lift that can change things around for the boys. We are treating this game as special and acknowledge it as a Ranfurly Shield challenge and accept that opportunity that is in front of us.

"If we get it right then we will get a couple of presents of valuable ITM Cup championship points and the Holy Grail of New Zealand rugby."

Schuler said there had been a real buzz in the squad at training this week.

"You can't plan a season around a challenge but when the opportunity arises you really have to have the mindset to do everything you can to get it.

"It is a real special rugby trophy and it can do wonderful things for the Bay. It has been here once before and we all remember how cool that was. It is ingrained in the heart of New Zealand rugby."

Schuler was confident his players had the ability to beat Hawke's Bay, after they showed they can dominate the best in last week's first-half display against Auckland.

"We are confident in what our attack can do. We are not going down there to play conservatively. We are pretty confident in what we can do up front as well. This will be the best game ever to win the battle of the Bays."

Who is next?
Home games left for the Steamers/potential Ranfurly Shield defences:
Thursday, September 25 v Northland, ASB Baypark, 7.35pm
Saturday, October 4 v Otago, ASB Baypark, 5.35pm