Renee Goldup posted on September 28, 2010 09:49
Southland spirit was strong at the latest Ranfurly Shield defence on Thursday, 23 September, that saw the Southland Stags beat Auckland for the first time in 39 years.
It was a hard fought Shield challenge with the Stags showing gritty determination to hold out Auckland and win 9 - 6 in slippery conditions.
Stand out Southland hooker Jason Rutledge had a huge game and is pushing for an All Black jersey for the end of season tour.
It wasn’t just the players braving it out, despite a week of snow and stormy weather, hardy Southland fans were as supportive as ever, with some even taking off their shirts for the shield march from the Speight’s Ale House to Rugby Park, and leaving them off for the duration of the game to prove how tough we are down here.
Southland is now three points clear of Canterbury on the ITM Cup standings and will meet Canterbury on Saturday, 9 October for a huge re-match of the Ranfurly Shield. Prior to that the Stags play Taranaki away on Saturday, 2 October, in what is expected to be another tight game.
*Photo courtesy of Corrina Housham
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