Ranfurly Shield 1904–1909
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps[clarification needed] the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies. The holding union must defend the Shield in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield.
Holders
Only two teams held the Ranfurly Shield from 1904–1909:
| Union | Won | Successful Defences |
|---|---|---|
 Auckland |
Awarded to in 1902 | 0 |
 Wellington |
6 August 1904 | 4 |
| Auckland |
26 August 1905 | 12 |
Fixtures
1904
| 6 August 1904 | Auckland
|
3–6 | Wellington
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: Henry Kiernan | Try: Donaldson Gray, Duncan McGregor |
Attendance: 9,000[1] Referee: W. Pitts (Auckland) |
| 20 August 1904 | Wellington
|
6–3 |  Canterbury
|
Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Try: Billy Wallace (2) | Try: P.J. Burns | Attendance: 2,000[2] Referee: Alfred Norris (Wellington) |
| 10 September 1904 | Wellington
|
15–13 |  Otago
|
Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Try: Duncan McGregor (2), Billy Wallace Con: Duncan McGregor |
Try: James Duncan King, W.J. Munro, Colin Gilray Con: Ernest Booth (2) |
Attendance: 1,500[3] Referee: Francis Evans (Canterbury) |
1905
| 16 August 1905 | Wellington
|
3–3 |  Wairarapa
|
Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Try: William James Hardham | Try: R. Spackman | Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington) |
| 23 August 1905 | Wellington
|
11–3 |  Hawke's Bay
|
Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Try: John Spencer, J.P. Blacklock, P.A. Anderson Con: George Spencer |
Try: M. McCarthy | Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington) |
| 26 August 1905 | Wellington
|
6–10 | Auckland
|
Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
| Pen: George Spencer (2) | Try: Richard Wynyard, William Tyler Drop: Arthur Francis |
Referee: J.F. Manning (Manawatu) |
1906
| 11 August 1906 | Auckland
|
29–6 | Canterbury
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: Richard Wynyard (2), William Hay-MacKenzie, George Nicholson, Charlie Seeling Con: John Henry Dufty (4) Pen: John Henry Dufty Drop: John Henry Dufty |
Pen: Donald Fraser Drop: Donald Fraser |
Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington) |
| 18 August 1906 | Auckland
|
18–5 |  Taranaki
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: George Gillett, Charlie Seeling, R.B. Magee Con: John Henry Dufty (3) Drop: John Henry Dufty |
Try: Donald Cameron Con: Arthur Hardgrave |
Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington) |
| 25 August 1906 | Auckland
|
48–12 |  Southland
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: George Nicholson (3), George Smith (2), William Hay-MacKenzie (2), William Tyler, Henry Kiernan, Frank Wilson Con: John Henry Dufty (7) Drop: John Henry Dufty |
Try: T.A. Clark Con: Donald Cameron Hamilton Pen: Donald Cameron Hamilton Drop: E.E. Hughes |
Referee: F.A. Laws (Auckland) |
| 1 September 1906 | Auckland
|
11–5 | Wellington
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: Richard Wynyard Con: John Henry Dufty Pen: John Henry Dufty Drop: John Henry Dufty |
Try: Hector Thomson Con: Billy Wallace |
Referee: Peter Mackie (Auckland) |
1907
| 13 July 1907 | Auckland
|
21–0 | .png){kind=small} Buller
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: G.W. Murray (3), Richard Wynyard (3), C. Dillamore |
Referee: Angus Campbell (Auckland) |
| 10 August 1907 | Auckland
|
12–3 | Hawke's Bay
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: Harold Hayward, G.W. Murray, J.H. Hall, William Wynyard |
Try: T. McIntyre | Referee: G. Hopkins (Taranaki) |
| 14 September 1907 | Auckland
|
6–5 |  Wanganui
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: Albert Asher, J.H. Hall |
Try: Albert Carroll Con: L.L. Hitchings |
Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Angus Campbell (Auckland) |
1908
| 8 August 1908 | Auckland
|
32–0 |  Marlborough
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: E. Coote (2), Frank Wilson, R.B. Magee, Arthur Francis, G.W. Murray, Charlie Seeling Con: R.B. Magee (4) Drop: R.B. Magee |
Attendance: 2,000 Referee: N. A'Court (Taranaki) |
| 15 August 1908 | Auckland
|
24–3 | Wellington
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: George Bater (2), G.W. Murray (2), George Nicholson Con: R.B. Magee (3) Drop: R.B. Magee |
Try: W.C. Alexander | Attendance: 15,000 Referee: J. Williams (Otago) |
| 29 August 1908 | Auckland
|
9–0 | Taranaki
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: George Gillett, C.W. Murray Pen: George Gillett |
Attendance: 8,500 Referee: J. Williams (Otago) |
| 12 September 1908 | Auckland
|
11–5 | Otago
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: George Bater, Frank Morse, G.W. Murray Con: R.B. Magee |
Try: Alex McDonald Con: Harry Paton |
Attendance: 3,000 Referee: G.A. Howe (Wellington) |
1909
| 11 September 1909 | Auckland
|
18–5 | Taranaki
|
Alexandra Park, Auckland | ||
| Try: Dougie McGregor (2), George Sellars, G.W. Murray, Harold Hayward, Joe O'Leary |
Try: Donald Cameron Con: Ernest Dive |
Attendance: 6,000 Referee: J. Williams (Auckland) |
Notes
- ^ "Wellington Match". Papers Past. Auckland Star. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "A Win For The Local Team". Papers Past. New Zealand Times. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "An Interesting Match". Papers Past. New Zealand Times. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
References
- Knight, Lindsay (1980). Shield Fever. Auckland, New Zealand: Rugby Press. ISBN 0-9597553-8-1.
- Chester, Rod; McMillan, Neville; Ron, Palenski (1987). The Encyclopedia Of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland, New Zealand: MOA Publications. p. 267. ISBN 0-908570-16-3.
- Knight, Lindsay (2002). The Shield. Auckland, New Zealand: Celebrity Books. ISBN 1-877252-13-1.