Southland win Ranfurly Shield from Waikato
- Dave Worsley
- Aug 31
- 2 min read
Southland have won the Ranfurly Shield after travelling to Hamilton and beating Waikato 25-10 in an NPC upset
Aided by a big defensive effort in the first half and a strong wind behind them in the second half the Stags' adapted to the tough conditions against a flat Waikato side.
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The home team scored the first try of the game when Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia charged over from a lineout, but that was it for the tries.
Moana Pasifika standout Semisi Tupou-Tae'iloa got the Stags rolling with a close range try after half an hour, which was a pivotal moment considering just how influential the wind they were playing into was.
Waikato when to the break 10-8 ahead but the southners stuck to a game plan to kick long . Byron Smith nudged them ahead with a penalty, then Tupou-Tae'iloa set up a stunning try in the wet when he ran from his own half to pass for Nic Shearer to score in the corner.
After testing the Waikato defence for a dozen phases, Smith popped a perfectly weighted chip over for Michael Manson to toe on and Fletcher Morgan to score.
Sopoaga was replaced by Aaron Cruden in the second half but nothing came of it and neither did the presence of Luke Jacobson, Ollie Norris and Samipeni Finau who were treated with little respect.
Southland now face unbeaten Canterbury next Saturday afternoon in an automatic challenge..
Southland 25 (Semisi Tupou-Tae'iloa, Nic Shearer, Fletcher Morgan tries, Byron Smith two cons, 2 pen) Waikato 10 (Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia try, Lima Sopoaga con, pen)
