While the script was not written the way they would have wanted, two of Steelform Wanganui's greatest servants had a grand stage for their exit on Wednesday, as Peter Rowe and Ace Malo made their representative rugby farewell in the Ranfurly Shield challenge.
Rowe, 35, had initially announced his Wanganui
retirement after retaining the Meads Cup in 2016, but following his honorary selection for the NZ Provincial Barbarians to play the British & Irish Lions this month, he committed to the three mid-year representative games.
After his fifth Ranfurly Shield challenge, Rowe finishes with 121 first-class appearances for his province and the Barbarians, as well as multiple games for the NZ Heartland XV.
Malo, a four-time Shield challenger, will also be stepping down as Wanganui coach Jason Caskey will be looking to elevate players for the future in the Mitre 10 Heartland campaign, starting in August.
The gifted 35-year-old utility back played 85 first-class games for Wanganui in two stints, 2004-5 and 2010-17, while he made 30 appearances for Taranaki from 2006-9.
