Bay of Plenty Steamers captain Wayne Ormond lifts the Ranfurly Shield high at Eden Park in 2004. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Steamers captain Wayne Ormond lifts the Ranfurly Shield high at Eden Park in 2004. Photo / File
The setting was the Red Fox Tavern on August 15, 2004.
A busload of triumphant Bay of Plenty players had just pulled up outside the pub on State Highway 2, carrying with them the Ranfurly Shield.
Only hours before, the Steamers had made history by defeating Auckland 33-28 at EdenPark to win the shield for the first time.
"We called into the Red Fox Tavern, just past the Bombay Hills, and caught up with the supporters who came to the game," then-captain Wayne Ormond recalled.
"It was a chance to sit down and celebrate with the true blue and yellow supporters - it was pretty cool."
The Steamers escorted the shield home that night to the Bay of Plenty where it would remain for the next three weeks. Ormond admitted it even spent a night beside his bed during those weeks.
"It was pretty exciting times ... there had been a few failed challenges in the past but to be part of the first team to bring the Log o' Wood to the region - it was pretty cool."
Ormond said one of the main things he remembered from that Auckland game was the final whistle. "Probably the one thing was when the whistle went off and seeing the smiles from the players." It was a great feeling to be on the pitch and to look up and see the elated supporters.
Ormond said the Auckland players were in shock that the Bay had beaten them and taken the shield. He said even Waikato had been confident they would easily account for the Bay when they came to challenge. "We were the underdog in every game but we were happy to wear that," he said. "On our side of things we knew we were not going to let [Waikato win]. That was one game where we were not going to lose."
The Steamers defended the shield once against Waikato (26-20) before losing it to Canterbury (26-33).
Fast forward 10 years and Ormond said he believed the Bay could win back the shield tomorrow in Napier, during their first challenge since 2005.
"The key is just if you can stay in the game, stay in the hunt, and you have all the chance for winning it," he said.
It would be a big occasion and great experience for all the Steamers players tomorrow, most of whom had never had the opportunity before.
