Rugby: Heartache Highway or Shield St in view

By Chris Rattue

Rugby heartache. It seems the most fitting description of Counties Manukau's 44-year background in Ranfurly Shield challenges, all of which have ended with an often gut-wrenching, empty-handed trip back to South Auckland.

Eighteen challenges, and on the face of it, 18 failures.

Yet the rugby province formerly known as Counties has been a rich contributor to the story of the shield.

The most agonising period was from 1975 to 1982, when Counties made five challenges, two ending in draws, the others in narrow defeats.

It began with a 6-7 loss to Auckland. Then in 1977 Manawatu sank Counties' 15-10 despite playing the last quarter without All Black prop Kent Lambert, who had been sent off. Late mistakes cost Counties on that occasion.

Two years later they were beaten 11-9 at Eden Park, after losing the great centre Bruce Robertson early in the game, and falling to a late Richard Dunn penalty after Counties' record-holding No 8 Alan Dawson made a risky run from in front of his posts. Counties led 9-0 earlier in the match, a game many saw as reviving the great traditions of the shield.

Two years later it was 20-all against Waikato, although it was only a late Counties try which levelled the scores.

And then in 1982, an epic finish to a game which provided the basis of what was to become a record-equalling run of defences by Canterbury.

In the dying minutes, with the referee and police trying to quell pandemonium in the crowd behind the goalposts, Canterbury fullback Robbie Deans landed a 40m penalty goal to tie the scores.

What made it even harder for Counties was that the penalty had come from a debatable offside decision which also prevented what seemed a certain Counties try to wing Robert Kururangi. The try would have won the shield for the challengers.

It was Canterbury's first defence since winning the shield from Wellington. They went on to equal the old Auckland record of holding off 25 consecutive challenges, yet but for a refereeing decision it was a sequence that might never have even started.

Among the current first-division sides, only one other - the much younger North Harbour union - has failed to hold what was once unquestioned as New Zealand's most famous and important domestic sporting trophy.

With so many other events arriving on the sporting landscape, the advent of the national championship and professionalism, and the apathy which seemed to develop around Auckland's 61-match run from 1985 to 1993, what was once described as "shield fever" sometimes seems more like a bit of a head cold these days.

Even the cow bells have been notable by their absence at the three defences so far at Rugby Park this season, where Waikato have faced second and third-division sides.

But they are sure to be back to their ear-splitting best today, and there will be hordes of Counties Manukau supporters at the ground to help to fire up the atmosphere at a ground at which the facilities belong in a bygone era, but which still produces a great cauldron of excitement.

Waikato must go in as slight favourites, especially with Royce Willis in the pack. They should have an edge in power in the tight five.

The loose-forward battle will see some contrast in styles. Waikato captain Deon Muir is a power No 8, while the Steelers' Koula Tukino likes to run wide.

In Waikato's blindside Nick Holten and Counties Manukau captain and openside Glen Marsh, the match will see two of the finest loose forward defenders in the game.

The big questions are over the inexperienced Marty Holah and George Stowers.

Waikato could have an edge in the halves if Rhys Duggan is on his game and can run off a forward pack who have the upper hand, and Todd Miller is a better running fullback than Loki Crichton.

The threequarters, though, is where all attention will focus, with four of the best wings in the game - Bruce Reihana, Roger Randle, Joeli Vidiri and Jonah Lomu - in action.

Reihana has been in great form and has shown up with some powerful defence. Randle is more of a finisher.

Vidiri has been battling for form and appears to lack some confidence, but this could be the game for him to cut loose.

And then there is Lomu. If ever a man could spark a side to shield victory, it is the powerhouse wing. He will always draw a posse of defenders, and that could help the gaps to appear. His presence alone can be uplifting for any side, especially as he is taking on a more vocal roll these days.

George Leaupepe, inside the Counties Manukau wings, is the class midfield back on the field, and might be the great provider.

Maybe Counties Manukau's greatest chance is to instigate the total game of mad daring that their sides have been so famous for over the years, although the weather and ground conditions at Hamilton today may work against that.

But if they can, it would be a fitting way to lift the shield for the first time, and would undoubtedly bring a smile to the lips of those great Counties players like Andy Dalton and Bruce Robertson, and the humble yet inspirational coach Hiwi Tauroa, who came so close but yet so far all those years ago.