The fabric of New Zealand rugby might have undergone massive changes in the past 10 years but the Ranfurly Shield should always remain as a powerful reminder of how the game used to be played.
The Shield's failure to spark the imagination on the North Shore probably stemsmore from the fact Harbour have never held it before and therefore have no connection to its history. Maybe only once they've lost it will they realise how important it was.
In places like Waikato, Canterbury and Taranaki, it is a different story. They've had the importance of the Shield drummed into them over decades.
I know it meant a lot to the people of Waikato when they took it off Auckland in 1993.
Unfortunately, I had to miss that game as I was undertaking an enforced 'sabbatical' at the time due to a certain incident in the NPC final the year previous.
At the end of 1993 I made a move back to Canterbury. I remember clearly one of the first things Vance Stewart, the Canterbury coach, said to me when he heard I was coming down was: "Do you think you can go and get the Shield next year."
I just gave him a grin and said, "easy".
He was like, "why?" I told him I knew exactly how they would play.
A young Canterbury team went up there with some skinny little boys - the three Ms, Matson, Mayerhofler and Mehrtens in the midfield - and a couple of old fullas like myself, Mike Brewer and Graeme Bachop, and we just took it to Waikato on the day.
Our defence also contained one of the great Ranfurly Shield memories. Otago were leading 20-19 with time up when Crazy Latta was penalised for a hand in the ruck in front of the posts, and I don't even think it was him the poor bugger.
The only games in New Zealand to compare are NPC semis and finals but you get a chance to qualify for them every year, whereas you don't necessarily get that with the Shield - that's what gives it enduring appeal, for players especially.
It doesn't matter what else happens in the season. If you go away and return with the Shield you can go from also-rans to heroes.
