BOP want semi to double as Ranfurly Shield challenge

11.00am

Bay of Plenty officials will ask Canterbury to put the Ranfurly Shield up for grabs when the two provinces meet in an NPC first division rugby semifinal in Christchurch on Saturday.

Bay of Plenty qualified for the playoffs following a bruising 14-9 win over North Harbour in Albany yesterday.

Bay of Plenty won the shield this season with an outstanding victory over Auckland, defended it against Waikato but then lost it to Canterbury.

Bay of Plenty chief executive Paul Abbot now wants to contact his Canterbury counterpart Hamish Riach to suggest Canterbury put the shield on the line on Saturday.

"It would do wonders for the crowd... they've got to back themselves, why not?" Abbot asked.

"It would be great for New Zealand rugby and might show people (Canterbury) aren't the big bad beast."

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)