ITM Cup: Hawkes Bay hold on to defend Ranfurly Shield

Mitch Karpik of Auckland brings down Ihaia West of Hawkes Bay during the Ranfurly Shield challenge. Photo / Getty Images

Hawke's Bay 17
Auckland 12

Hawke's Bay have made an 11th successful defence of the Ranfurly Shield after a gritty second half saw them to a 17-12 victory in Napier against the previously high-flying Auckland.

This was an epic Shield encounter from the get-go, with all the intensity of a final and there was a high attrition rate, with both sides losing several players injured, Hawke's Bay fullback Israel Dagg among them, in this brutal clash.

It was the sixth occasion a Championship side has scalped a Premiership outfit in 2015, and there was sheer joy and relief at the fulltime whistle as Auckland replacement hooker Kurt Eklund could not throw the final lineout ball in straight.

A critical error by Auckland wing Bryce Heem led to Ihaia West's try at 64 minutes. Heem dropped the ball in the in-goal and then inexplicably forced it, handing Hawke's Bay a 5m scrum. West zipped over after 12 hard-won phases to give the Magpies a 17-12 lead.

It wasn't the last error Auckland would make as they came under the intense Shield heat and the staunchest defence of Hawke's Bay.

Yet from the moment Auckland prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi picked up Hawke's Bay centre Richard Buckman like he was a sack of spuds, it was apparent that the Ranfurly Shield challengers were bringing strong-arm tactics to their work at Napier's McLean Park.

Akira Ioane was outstanding, both with and without the ball from No 8, for Auckland, constantly making metres and then stinging in defence.

Both sides forgot they were in different divisions and just smashed into each other with fearless abandon.

The Magpies were clearly up for it, and men like blindside flanker Tony Lamborn were well equipped for the physicality.

At 12-10 with just one try in the first half, one might have thought it was a dour, colourless struggle between the packs, but in truth there was a lot of open play and admirably vigorous defence.

It seemed as if the Magpies, who threw the proverbial sink at the challengers, were always running into the hard point of the Auks' shoulders, notably Joe Edwards and Ioane. But they did break them down eventually, after 35 minutes and 23 consecutive phases, and skipper and No 8 Brendon O'Connor emerged from a pile of bodies with the kudos.

It seemed weird that four penalties to captain Simon Hickey were all Auckland had to show for their endeavours. But Hawke's Bay were playing the territorial game, hoisting the bombs down on the Auckland back three as the drizzle continued. Auckland weathered it all, but there wasn't enough field position for George Moala to make his usual 5m tryscoring thrust.

Many of the Auckland union's administrative staff made the trip to the Hawke's Bay capital. That might have been a very worthwhile road trip, but for some mistakes and real character displayed by the holders.

Auckland now have nine days to contemplate their next match, against the Northland Taniwha at Eden Park. The Magpies must refocus to meet the Wellington Lions next Wednesday in a top of the table Championship clash.

Hawke's Bay 17 (Ihaia West, Brendon O'Connor tries; West 2 con, pen) Auckland 12 (Simon Hickey 4 pen) Halftime: 12-10 Auckland