Rugby: Woodward gets to challenge for shield 20 years on

By WYNNE GRAY

Nearly 20 years ago, Bryce Woodward missed his chance to challenge Waikato for the Ranfurly Shield.

He was picked as the reserve fullback for Colin Meads' King Country side. Without injuries and in the days when substitutes were forbidden, Woodward only hit Rugby Park in Hamilton after the unsuccessful challenge.

This weekend he returns to the same venue, as coach of Northland, for the opening first division shield challenge of the new millennium. He will meet many rugby mates, including Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke, with whom he played club rugby in Te Awamutu.

The challenge got some valuable momentum on Saturday when Northland travelled to the other end of the country and beat Southland. It began what has been labelled the "Draw from Hell" for Northland, who play at Invercargill, Hamilton and Wellington, have a game at home and then another trip to Dunedin.

The tough itinerary was softened, though, with the 41-25 win on Saturday.

"That was critical," said Woodward. "Now we can go down there and challenge for the Ranfurly Shield rather than looking for national championship points."

Northland have not won the celebrated rugby trophy since 1978, when Chippie Semenoff kicked them to a 12-10 win against Manawatu.

However, a creditable sixth finish in last year's NPC, the win over Southland and Waikato's lengthening injury list have given a sharper edge to this Saturday's challenge.

"We have had some reasonably good form and Waikato are a good side, but we have got to be more comfortable than we were the last time the union challenged," said Woodward.

"We have a few wise old heads in the team mixed in with the newer talent. We just have to make sure we do not get overhyped or overawed. We have got to prepare appropriately and get the balance right."

The non-related Taylors, fullback Hayden and captain Glenn, played significant roles in Northland's winning start to the NPC. They will also draw on the experience of players like Tony Monaghan, Norm Berryman, Jason Hammond and Justin Collins this weekend.

They will need to improve to mix it with the robust Waikato side.

"We had a most promising start against Southland but we became a bit messy round the fringes and, in fairness, Southland lacked organisation and we got through a bit easily out wide," said Woodward. "We thought they would climb into us but they were not as fiery as we expected."

Woodward and his side saw a few minutes of Waikato's win against Otago as they waited in transit at Auckland Airport. It was a long journey home. After a morning recovery pool session in Invercargill, they discovered their original flight had been cancelled because of strong winds. After being at Invercargill Airport since 10.30 am, the group reached Whangarei about 5.30 pm.

"We are pretty used to travelling, so the bus trip to Hamilton this week will be a breeze," said Woodward.

The routine this week will be the same - training tomorrow and Thursday with some extra sharpening on Wednesday.

Around those duties, video research and analysis, Woodward will put in about 40 hours as the director of his land surveying and planning company.

"When I need to get away from rugby I find it good to get my head down and go to work, and then at home it is family first and then rugby."