August 29, 2026 • 7 mins
Northland's hoping to hang on to the Ranfurly Shield this afternoon - after claiming it for the first time since 1978 with a 36-12 victory over Canterbury.
The team will face off against the Tasman Mako at Semenoff Stadium this evening.
Northland vice-captain Allan Craig joined Piney to discuss further.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Pine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
After a century, Northland are going to host a Ranfurly
Shield defence this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
For the first time since.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
1978, the Ranfurly Shield.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
The famous loggerwood, is heading to the far north.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It is Northland's trophy.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
It is Northland's night.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
It is Northland's night.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Northland's moment to enjoy, to soak up, to relish.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
They take the Ranfurly Shield.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
A famous, famous win.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
36-12, Northland over Canterbury. After taking the famous log from
Canterbury last weekend, the Taniwha welcomed Tasman to Seminoff Stadium.
That's the old Okara Park. This afternoon, 5 past 5 kick-off.
Northland lock and vice-captain Alan Craig is with us. Alan,
before we talk about the game a bit later on
this afternoon, how's the week been with the Shield in
(01:04):
your region?
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Well, to be fair, it's been quite a big week.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
We've obviously tried to get the Shield around to as
many places within Northland as possible. because you don't know
how long you got it for. So it's been a
bit of a mission. But it's been really good to
kind of see the impact, I guess, it's had on
all of the community. But we have gotten a full
(01:31):
week of training and, yeah, it's been a big week,
but boys are ready.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
As a team, how did you balance celebrating what is
a momentous achievement with then immediately preparing to defend it?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
We were quite lucky. So we played.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
on Thursday night and won it on Thursday and then
now we don't play until today, the Sunday.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
So we had quite a.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Long turnaround which definitely helped with all of that so
you could do your celebrating and then take it around
to the region and then still get a full week's
training in. That definitely helps in terms of that, but
that was just fortunate and good timing, really.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah, absolutely. Couldn't have been better. Did you feel confident
heading to Christchurch to challenge for it Thursday a week ago?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah, definitely felt confident. We knew it was going to
be a battle. We probably didn't quite realise the score
was going to get to where it was, but that's
just a credit to how our team's been going. Like,
we kind of knew this was going to be the
best shot we've had for the last few years. So, yeah,
(02:39):
we were quietly confident, but, yeah, we didn't expect that
kind of result.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, well, I think, you know, anyone who'd watched you
play this season, it wouldn't have come as a massive surprise.
It's your third victory in four games. Your only loss
was a narrow one to Bay of Plenty away. It's
been a great first month for the Taniwha. What have
been the keys to your excellent start to the NPC season?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
I think it It's been a couple of years really,
build up towards.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
This.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Just kind of laying the foundation for the last couple
of years and then building a squad around that as well.
And I think it's just kind of reached a point
where everyone's experienced enough and we've been doing the same
stuff for a while that everything's just kind of clicking really.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
It's just a matter of time really.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
And you narrowly missed the top eight last season. I
think you were ninth by a couple of points. So
was that used as motivation for this season or was
it more a matter of, OK, we're nearly there, this
is our season to really take that next step?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Nah, probably not used as motivation. But yeah, as you said,
it's kind of the whole squad. Everyone's a year older
now and a year more experienced. So it's just kind
of expectations, I guess, as we see ourselves in that
eight and we probably... seen ourselves there last year too
but obviously we didn't quite get there so it's probably
(03:59):
just the expectations within our group is that we're there
in the playoff time of the season.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Tasman having a good season as well they've scored nearly
100 points in their last couple of games how big
a threat will they be to you this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Oh huge huge um Like any team challenging for the Shield,
it's pretty much final footy.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
And so we're going to have to be at our
best to retain it.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
And no doubt that they'll be coming up with full
intentions to take it off us. But yeah, it's going
to be a hell of a game. I'm looking forward
to it. But yeah, it just brings the best out
of both teams, really. And running in front of a
full Seminoff Stadium is going to be pretty exciting. I've
never done that for a Northland team, so... Going to
(04:47):
be looking forward to that.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, sounds like there'll be a massive crowd there this afternoon.
I've sort of been looking at some of the social
media stuff about ticket sales during the week. It sounds
like it's going to be packed out. I mean, that
must give you a boost, eh? When you know you're
going to run out this afternoon, it's going to be
a packed house, everybody in blue just cheering you on.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Oh, hugely. Hugely.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
I don't think any boys in our team have run
out to what a crowd will be this afternoon. So
I think that in itself is going to be special too,
just to see bums in seats and the whole bank full.
It's going to be pretty cool and we'll definitely feed
off the crowd's energy, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
But yeah, the group's really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
I guess there's a school of thought that would say, OK,
you should just treat every game the same. You know,
even though this is a Ranfurly Shield defence, you should
prepare for it like just another game. Have you done
that or actually have you embraced the special nature of
this occasion?
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Oh, we've probably more embraced the occasion. Like, we realise
it's going to be different. Like, we haven't had this
many people at a home game probably since the last
time North Auckland then defended the Shield. So, yeah, Yeah,
we've treated it different, but also the same. Like, it's
a bit of a combo there.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Like, our training week's been the.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Same, but obviously the commitments outside of the footy have
been quite a lot different.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
But we're using it as a reason, not an excuse. So, yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
How driven are you all to make sure it's not
just a one defence tenure?
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Oh, very, very, yeah, very. I think.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
As you said, just kind of the form this year
has been really good, and we're not looking to take
a backward step. Just because Tasman are coming up to
get the shield, we want to carry on. And whether
or not it was for the Ramfordy Shield or not,
we want to win games at home even more so.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
So, yeah, we're looking to be doing that as well.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Yeah, well, can't wait for the spectacle this afternoon, Alan,
as you and your teammates run out with the... the
famous Loggerwood on the sideline in front of a packed
house at Seminoff Stadium. All the best, mate, and I
really appreciate you taking the time for a chat.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
No, thank you, Alan. Alan Craig, Vice-Captain of Northland. Five
past five this afternoon. Going to be a massive crowd
there at Seminoff Stadium as the Taniwha put the shield
on the line. Tasman, the Mako, are in town to
try and take it off them. Five past five. So
just after seven o'clock tonight, we'll know whether the shield
is staying in the far north or headed to the
top of the south.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Pine, listen live
to News Talk ZB, weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Pine
from Newstalk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
After a century, Northland are going to host a Ranfurly
Shield defence this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
For the first time since.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
1978, the Ranfurly Shield.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
The famous loggerwood, is heading to the far north.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It is Northland's trophy.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
It is Northland's night.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
It is Northland's night.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Northland's moment to enjoy, to soak up, to relish.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
They take the Ranfurly Shield.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
A famous, famous win.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
36-12, Northland over Canterbury. After taking the famous log from
Canterbury last weekend, the Taniwha welcomed Tasman to Seminoff Stadium.
That's the old Okara Park. This afternoon, 5 past 5 kick-off.
Northland lock and vice-captain Alan Craig is with us. Alan,
before we talk about the game a bit later on
this afternoon, how's the week been with the Shield in
(01:04):
your region?
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Well, to be fair, it's been quite a big week.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
We've obviously tried to get the Shield around to as
many places within Northland as possible. because you don't know
how long you got it for. So it's been a
bit of a mission. But it's been really good to
kind of see the impact, I guess, it's had on
all of the community. But we have gotten a full
(01:31):
week of training and, yeah, it's been a big week,
but boys are ready.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
As a team, how did you balance celebrating what is
a momentous achievement with then immediately preparing to defend it?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
We were quite lucky. So we played.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
on Thursday night and won it on Thursday and then
now we don't play until today, the Sunday.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
So we had quite a.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Long turnaround which definitely helped with all of that so
you could do your celebrating and then take it around
to the region and then still get a full week's
training in. That definitely helps in terms of that, but
that was just fortunate and good timing, really.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah, absolutely. Couldn't have been better. Did you feel confident
heading to Christchurch to challenge for it Thursday a week ago?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah, definitely felt confident. We knew it was going to
be a battle. We probably didn't quite realise the score
was going to get to where it was, but that's
just a credit to how our team's been going. Like,
we kind of knew this was going to be the
best shot we've had for the last few years. So, yeah,
(02:39):
we were quietly confident, but, yeah, we didn't expect that
kind of result.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, well, I think, you know, anyone who'd watched you
play this season, it wouldn't have come as a massive surprise.
It's your third victory in four games. Your only loss
was a narrow one to Bay of Plenty away. It's
been a great first month for the Taniwha. What have
been the keys to your excellent start to the NPC season?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
I think it It's been a couple of years really,
build up towards.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
This.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Just kind of laying the foundation for the last couple
of years and then building a squad around that as well.
And I think it's just kind of reached a point
where everyone's experienced enough and we've been doing the same
stuff for a while that everything's just kind of clicking really.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
It's just a matter of time really.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
And you narrowly missed the top eight last season. I
think you were ninth by a couple of points. So
was that used as motivation for this season or was
it more a matter of, OK, we're nearly there, this
is our season to really take that next step?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Nah, probably not used as motivation. But yeah, as you said,
it's kind of the whole squad. Everyone's a year older
now and a year more experienced. So it's just kind
of expectations, I guess, as we see ourselves in that
eight and we probably... seen ourselves there last year too
but obviously we didn't quite get there so it's probably
(03:59):
just the expectations within our group is that we're there
in the playoff time of the season.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Tasman having a good season as well they've scored nearly
100 points in their last couple of games how big
a threat will they be to you this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Oh huge huge um Like any team challenging for the Shield,
it's pretty much final footy.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
And so we're going to have to be at our
best to retain it.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
And no doubt that they'll be coming up with full
intentions to take it off us. But yeah, it's going
to be a hell of a game. I'm looking forward
to it. But yeah, it just brings the best out
of both teams, really. And running in front of a
full Seminoff Stadium is going to be pretty exciting. I've
never done that for a Northland team, so... Going to
(04:47):
be looking forward to that.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, sounds like there'll be a massive crowd there this afternoon.
I've sort of been looking at some of the social
media stuff about ticket sales during the week. It sounds
like it's going to be packed out. I mean, that
must give you a boost, eh? When you know you're
going to run out this afternoon, it's going to be
a packed house, everybody in blue just cheering you on.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Oh, hugely. Hugely.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
I don't think any boys in our team have run
out to what a crowd will be this afternoon. So
I think that in itself is going to be special too,
just to see bums in seats and the whole bank full.
It's going to be pretty cool and we'll definitely feed
off the crowd's energy, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
But yeah, the group's really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
I guess there's a school of thought that would say, OK,
you should just treat every game the same. You know,
even though this is a Ranfurly Shield defence, you should
prepare for it like just another game. Have you done
that or actually have you embraced the special nature of
this occasion?
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Oh, we've probably more embraced the occasion. Like, we realise
it's going to be different. Like, we haven't had this
many people at a home game probably since the last
time North Auckland then defended the Shield. So, yeah, Yeah,
we've treated it different, but also the same. Like, it's
a bit of a combo there.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Like, our training week's been the.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Same, but obviously the commitments outside of the footy have
been quite a lot different.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
But we're using it as a reason, not an excuse. So, yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
How driven are you all to make sure it's not
just a one defence tenure?
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Oh, very, very, yeah, very. I think.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
As you said, just kind of the form this year
has been really good, and we're not looking to take
a backward step. Just because Tasman are coming up to
get the shield, we want to carry on. And whether
or not it was for the Ramfordy Shield or not,
we want to win games at home even more so.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
So, yeah, we're looking to be doing that as well.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Yeah, well, can't wait for the spectacle this afternoon, Alan,
as you and your teammates run out with the... the
famous Loggerwood on the sideline in front of a packed
house at Seminoff Stadium. All the best, mate, and I
really appreciate you taking the time for a chat.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
No, thank you, Alan. Alan Craig, Vice-Captain of Northland. Five
past five this afternoon. Going to be a massive crowd
there at Seminoff Stadium as the Taniwha put the shield
on the line. Tasman, the Mako, are in town to
try and take it off them. Five past five. So
just after seven o'clock tonight, we'll know whether the shield
is staying in the far north or headed to the
top of the south.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Pine, listen live
to News Talk ZB, weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
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