Canterbury win Ranfurly Shield from Otago
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Reigning NPC champions Canterbury have retaken the Ranfurly Shield after beating holders Otago 19-15 in Dunedin.
The Shield on the line for the first time in 2026 after three defences in Otago's eighth tenure.
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The south island's hold continued as Canterbury's 2025 Ranfurly Shield tenure which lasted just 14 days in September, when they won the shield from Southland, before losing it to Otago.
Otago wingJona Nareki was denied the first try of the game as a result of a knock-on.
Canterbury captain Brodie McAlister scored the first points of the game with a try in the 16th minute, which was then converted by Richie Mo'unga.
Cam Millar put Otago on the board with a penalty but the home side, who had just as much possession as their rivals in the first half, couldn't turn that into points.
They were further frustrated when Jamie Hannah scored Canterbury's second try just before half-time for the challengers to lead 12-3.
Canterbury hooker Manumaua Letiu was sent off with a yellow card after repeated off-sides in the 55th minute.
McAlister had to go off briefly for an HIA (Head Injury Assessment) after referee Ben O'Keeffe got tangled up in the action and inadvertently collided with the hoooker.
Canterbury then had to play with just 13 under golden oldies rules after McAlisters replacement Manumaua Letiu, was sin-binned shortly after. Otago took advantage by driving over the line with Lucas Casey the tryscorer in the 54th minute.
Canterbury pushed their lead out again with a second try to McAlister, and Mo'unga's conversion had them ahead 19-8.
But Otago fought back thanks to a try from prop Ben Lopas, which Millar converted to set up a tight showdown.
With just six minutes left, Canterbury were defending a narrow 19-15 lead. A desperate Otago made several drives towards Canterbury's line but they managed to hold them off.
It is the 18th time Canterbury have held the Ranfurly Shield which will go on the line next week when Canterbury meet Bay of Plenty in Christchurch.
At Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin: Canterbury 19 (Brodie McAlister 2, Jamie Hannah tries tries; Richie Mo’unga 2 con) Otago 15 (Lucas Casey, Ben Lopas tries; Cam Millar con, pen). HT: 12-3.
