Wellington has taken the Ranfurly Shield off Hawke’s Bay with a 19-12 victory in Napier.
Wellington with the Ranfurly Shield
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It is the first time Wellington has held the Shield since 2009.
Wellington scored the only try of the game to halfback TJ Perenara, while first five Aiden Morgan kicked four penalties and a conversion.
Lincoln McClutchie kicked four penalties for Hawke’s Bay.
In Wellington’s 100th Shield game this team had to defend a number of line-out drives late in the game to win.
Hawke’s Bay lost the Shield after 14 successful defences.
“It means a lot,” victorious captain Du’Plessis Kirifi told Sky Sport. “It’s an awesome thing in New Zealand rugby – playing for a piece of silverware like this is a bloody brilliant thing.
“In the week, we just talked about building pressure. That’s something we haven’t done right in the last few weeks – grind out a game and finish it off. So I’m really proud of the boys.”
Wellington move to second in their NPC conference and will immediately defend the Shield next week against conference leaders Waikato.
In other NPC games Canterbury beat Counties Manukau 44-39 and Auckland beat Tasman 30-27.
On Sunday Otago play Waikato, Bay of Plenty play Southland and Northland play North Harbour.
Canterbury top the other conference from Auckland.
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