World's most Prestigious Club Trophy stolen by Magpies

Yep. The magpies have walked off with the biggest shiny thing in world club rugby.

Cunningly waiting until the hapless and despair seeking Otago were custodians of the Ranfurly Shield, themselves fresh from "breaking a hoodoo" if their own in Lifting the log of wood whilst the majority of Waikato players were away masquerading as the All Blacks, HB have the trophy again after 44 years.

For those without a feel for the historical timeframe represented there. It's a period four times longer than the average english wait for a win over NZ, and nearly two thirds of the age that welsh fans have had to wait to experience their ultimate achievement.

So congratulations to the boys from HB. Maybe these are indicators it will be a season of long awaited retributions? Or maybe briefly anticipated ones too?

What's this now? Birds flew off with the Heineken cup? That's mad Ted.

Probably the first time ever that a frenchman lift that trophy as I believe fly-half lespinas was on the bench.

How does the ranfurly schield works? If HB loses their next ITM fame they lose the trophy as well?

HB will never lose their fame.

Sorry I meant Game not fame

Teams get a chance to challenge for the Ranfurly shield when you play the holders at home. Unless the holders are invincible and then they take it on the road to 2nd and 3rd division teams.

My home team, Horowhenua Kapiti, is one of the smallest and weakest provinces in New Zealand and recently challenged for it. The players are all amature/semipro at best. We got another walloping of course but no problem.

Alas...my little home town has seen better days with it as well. 63 consecutive wins for the Bay to beat.. hopefully they dont spend the whole week celebrating as did the Otago boys!

Bay of Plenty, 2004! There's only one Bay in NZ, the Bay of Plenty, not this half-pie hawkes bay carry on.

But well done HB, good for the game. I remember those bad years Tman, you guys were bloody unsufferable.

Scarfies was a great movie though.

What is this minor trinket of which you speak?

GloriousEmpire wrote:Yep. The magpies have walked off with the biggest shiny thing in world club rugby.

Cunningly waiting until the hapless and despair seeking Otago were custodians of the Ranfurly Shield, themselves fresh from "breaking a hoodoo" if their own in Lifting the log of wood whilst the majority of Waikato players were away masquerading as the All Blacks, HB have the trophy again after 44 years.

For those without a feel for the historical timeframe represented there. It's a period four times longer than the average english wait for a win over NZ, and nearly two thirds of the age that welsh fans have had to wait to experience their ultimate achievement.

So congratulations to the boys from HB. Maybe these are indicators it will be a season of long awaited retributions? Or maybe briefly anticipated ones too?

Didn't know they were in the HEC?

Well.... at least he has stopped pretending to be "one of us" and reverted to his shameless promotion of all things antipodean.

St John The Enforcer wrote:What's this now? Birds flew off with the Heineken cup? That's mad Ted.

 

Brilliant.