Latest news with #Shield
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
NPC Rugby: Where will the Ranfurly Shield reside this summer?
It's provincial footy season, and while there will be the usual questions of who the breakout stars will be and what former All Blacks can restake their claim, the prevailing interest will inevitably fall on a certain slab of English Oak and sterling silver. The iconic log o' wood Perhaps the most prestigious and coveted prize in New Zealand Rugby, besides the Web Ellis Trophy. Introduced in 1904, the shield has sat centre stage for some of the greatest matches played on this country's fields. While fanfare surrounding Super Rugby has dwindled badly in the last decade, and the glory days of the NPC are long dead, the passion, pride, and parochialism the shield evokes ensure that from Kaitāia to Bluff, the game's heart still beats. The holders The Taranaki Bulls brought an end to Tasman's historic inaugural Shield run in Nelson on October 6, breaking Mako hearts with a 42-29 victory. They have since defended it twice against Heartland opposition, 78-7 over King Country, and 97-0 over Thames Valley. Taranaki will have to see off five more challenges in 2025 in order to lock the shield away for summer. It's a tough road to securing the shield for Taranaki, but not beyond the realms. Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay will no doubt present formidable challenges in New Plymouth. The scenarios Okay, so let's assume no side will defend the shield this season, and it changes hands at every opportunity. Where does it end up? Northland could take the shield from Taranaki in round one, and if they do so, their next challenge will be Southland. If Southland wins, their next challenge would be Manawatu. If Manawatu wins, their next challenge would be Wellington. If Wellington wins, their next challenge would be Auckland. If Auckland wins, their next challenge would be Manawatu. If Manawatu wins, their next challenge would be Bay of Plenty. If Bay of Plenty wins, their next challenge would be Waikato. If Waikato win, their next challenge would be Northland. If Northland won, the shield would spend its summer in Whangarei. All right, so that's a bit extreme, so let's look at a more likely potential outcome. If Taranaki beat Northland but lost to Waikato in round four, the Mooloos would have a relatively comfortable first defence against Southland and then a slightly tougher assignment against North Harbour before a final round defence against Northland. Waikato will end 2025 with three successful defences with the shield to reside in Hamilton. My pick Taranaki will see off Northland and Waikato, but their reign will be ended at the hands of Bay of Plenty. The Steamers will hold it for less than a week, though, with Hawke's Bay spoiling the party in Tauranga. The Magpies will prevail in the battle of the bays and will then need just one defence in order to lock away the shield post-season, against Auckland, which they will do in dramatic fashion at McLean Park with a try on the siren. RNZ's predicted summer home for the Ranfurly Shield - Napier. Your side's road to Ranfurly glory: Taranaki - Reigns - 8; most recent - 2024. Holders - Five defences vs Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington. Second chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland beat Waikato in week five, Canterbury beat Southland in week six, Canterbury defend against Tasman in week seven and Otago in week eight, Taranaki challenge Canterbury in week ten. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, Tasman beat Northland in week three, Otago beat Tasman in week five, Otago defend against Northland, Taranaki challenge Otago in week seven. Northland - Reigns - 4; most recent - 1978. Challenge - Taranaki in week one. Second chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, defend against Southland and North Harbour, Northland challenge Waikato in week 10. Third chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, defend against Southland in week five, North Harbour beat Waikato in week seven, Northland challenge North Harbour in week eight. Waikato - Reigns - 13; most recent - 2018. Challenge - Taranaki in week four Second chance - Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in week five and Hawke's Bay in week seven, Waikato challenge Bay of Plenty in week nine. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, Manawatu beat Southland in week three, Manawatu beat Wellington in week four, Waikato challenge Manawatu in week six. Bay of Plenty - Reigns- 1; most recent - 2004. Challenge - Taranaki in week six Second chance - Wellington beat Taranaki in week nine, Bay of Plenty challenge Wellington in week 10 Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, lose to Tasman in week three, Tasman defend against Otago, Auckland beat Tasman in week six, Manawatu beat Auckland in week seven, Bay of Plenty challenge Manawatu in week eight. Hawke's Bay - Reigns - 7; most recent - 2024. Challenge - Taranaki in week eight Second chance - Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in week six, Hawke's Bay challenge Bay of Plenty in week seven. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland and Tasman, Hawke's Bay challenge Northland in week five. Wellington - Reigns- 11; most recent - 2022. Challenge - Taranaki in week nine Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, Manawatu beat Southland in week three, Wellington challenge Manawatu in week four. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, Tasman and Hawke's Bay, Wellington challenge Northland in week seven. North Harbour - Reigns- 1; most recent - 2006. Best chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, defend against Southland, North Harbour challenge Waikato in week seven. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, lose to Tasman in week three, Otago beat Tasman in week five, defend against Northland and Taranaki, North Harbour challenge Otago in week nine. Auckland - Reigns- 16; most recent- 2007. Best chance - Hawke's Bay beat Taranaki in week eight, Auckland challenge Hawke's Bay in week nine. Second chance - Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in week six, Hawke's Bay beat Bay of Plenty in week seven, Auckland challenge Hawke's Bay in week nine. Counties Manukau - Reigns- 1; most recent- 2013. Best chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, Tasman beat Northland in week three, defend against Otago, Auckland and Waikato, Counties Manukau challenge Tasman in week ten. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, defend against Manawatu and Canterbury, Counties Manukau challenge Southland in week seven. Manawatu - Reigns - 1; most recent- 1976. Best chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, Manawatu challenge Southland in week three. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in round one, defend against Southland in week two, Tasman beat Northland in week three, defend against Otago, Auckland beat Tasman in week six, Manawatu challenge Auckland in week seven. Tasman - Reigns- 1; most recent- 2024. Best chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, Tasman challenge Northland in week three. Second chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland beat Waikato in week five, Canterbury beat Southland in week six, Tasman challenge Canterbury in week seven. Canterbury - Reigns- 16; most recent- 2019. Best chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland beat Waikato in week five, Canterbury challenge Southland in week six. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, Tasman, Hawke's Bay and Wellington, Canterbury challenge Northland in week nine. Otago - Reigns- 7; most recent- 2020. Best chance - Hawke's Bay beat Taranaki in week eight, Auckland beat Hawke's Bay in week nine, Otago challenge Auckland in week 10. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, lose to Tasman in week three, Otago challenge Tasman week five. Southland - Reigns- 7; most recent- 2011. Best chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland challenge Waikato in week five. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland challenge Northland in week two. The battle for the Ranfurly Shield will be fierce and long. Photo / Paul Taylor Taranaki squad Scott Barrett**, Beauden Barrett**, Jordie Barrett**, Kaylum Boshier, Logan Crowley, Hemopo Cunningham, Meihana Grindlay, Harry Hansen*, Josh Jacomb, Josh Lord, Perry Lawrence, Adam Lennox, Michael Loft, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Mitch O'Neill, Reuben O'Neill, Jesse Parete, JJ Pokai, Arese Poliko, Jared Proffit, Taniela Rakuro*, Daniel Rona, Willem Ratu, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Leone Nawai, Obey Samate, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Josh Setu, Bradley Slater, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Tupou Vaa'i**, Sage Walters-Hansen*, Keightley Watson*. *yet to debut **All Black The challengers Northland Week one Saturday, August 2 7.10pm Waikato Week four Saturday, August 23 2.05pm Bay of Plenty Week six Sunday, September 7 2.05pm Hawke's Bay Week eight Friday, September 19 7.10pm Wellington Week nine Saturday, September 27 2.05pm
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Fans don't want to watch what happened in Manchester,' Nathan Lyon takes a dig at the flat surface during India-England Test
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon took a dig at the disturbingly flat pitches used in the ongoing India-England series. Praising the conditions in Australia, he dwelled on the one that produced a thrilling draw in Old Trafford, where India gritted out for 143 overs to save the Test. 'The conditions over here (in Australia), it's alway been a great competition between bat and ball and that's the way Australia's produced wickets like that. So it's going to be challenging for their batters and challenging for our batters. That's the way cricket should be, you want to see competition between bat and ball,' he stressed. 'I think that's crucial, and all the fans, that's what they want to see, they don't really want to watch what happened over in Manchester last week,' he quipped. Lyon, the leading wicket-taker in contemporary cricket, has urged the Bazballers to attack him when they tour Down Under later this year. 'I totally expect them to come out and attack me,' Lyon said at a Melbourne Renegades sponsor event in Melbourne. Every touring team to Australia, he says, targets the spinners, even though Lyon might have a combined wicket tally of the entire bowling squad of England. 'I think every touring team says they're going to come and attack the spinner, so I'm pretty used to that now. Guys trying to attack me bring me into the game. So I'm looking forward to that. I've got some plans, and I'm already writing down a few things I want to try to put in play and work on. That's England and the way they're playing their cricket, so it's amazing theatre and something I love viewing,' he observed. He, though, admitted being hurt by the snub in the third Test between Australia and West Indies. There's no point hiding that I was disappointed with their decision, but I totally understood it,' Lyon said. 'Disappointed on a number of levels. One, I believe I can play a role in any conditions and I still honestly believe that, and the other one was not to walk out on the field with Starcy [Mitchell Starc for his 100th Test],' he said. 'We can sit here and say hats off to them, they made the right call, and if I'm going to miss a game, Scott Boland is the guy you want to see go out and perform, and for him to go out there and bowl like he did, like we know he does, to take a hat-trick was pretty special. For the guys to bowl them out for 27 was pretty fun to watch,' he added. He also backed under-fire teenage opener Sam Konstas to come good. 'It's a massive learning curve for Sam. I don't think we need to be so hard on him. He's young and still learning his game and, as Test cricketers, we've all been through those periods throughout our careers,' said Lyon. 'It's about us senior players making sure we're around him and making sure he knows he's got full support. I think he'll go on the Australia A tour to India (in September), so he'll have some cricket there, then the [Sheffield] Shield cricket as well. So it's about us putting our arms around him and making sure he goes out there and backs his skill and finds the method he wants to bat with,' he added. He was also certain Marnus Labuschagne would return to the squad after e was dropped during the Caribbean tour. 'Marn's upbeat, and so he should be,' Lyon said. 'His Test record speaks volumes. He absolutely put a couple of coaches into the ground over there with the amount of training that he was doing. But that's Marn. That's the way he prepares. And he's still a class player, and he will be for a long period of time. So I'm still expecting bigger and better things from Marnus.'
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
The greatest rivalries in sport - Auckland v Canterbury and the battle for the 1980s
Rugby, in fact, was relatively late to the idea of championships. New Zealand only got a national provincial championship in 1976, with rugby until then a series of traditional annual fixtures combined with ad hoc arrangements made between board chairmen. The Ranfurly Shield was both in the centre of the rugby room and frustratingly out of the reach of most. When the NPC did arrive, it was not necessarily dominated by the biggest unions. Bay of Plenty won the inaugural championship under the guidance of Eric Anderson and in the first five years there were five different winners, with Canterbury, Wellington, Counties and Manawatū following BoP's footsteps. By the time 1982 rolled around, Auckland, the largest union in the country by some margin (it still had all the North Harbour clubs at that stage), had still to win. Canterbury had won just once. If anything, Wellington, with their star-studded backline, were the strongest of the main centres, though they were rudely shocked when Canterbury stormed Athletic Park to win the Shield in 1981. As a country, the start of the '80s was a time of monumental change. In 1981, the Springbok tour literally divided the country with barbed wire. In 1984, the Fourth Labour Government would start a process of deregulation that forever altered the country's economics. Auckland, with its new skyline of construction cranes and high-rise buildings, was the obvious benefactor. The rugby and societal changes would combine to foster the domestic game's greatest rivalry, one that with the gradual diminishing of the provincial game, will never be equalled. It all coalesced with a match described with only the merest hint of hyperbole as The Game of the Century. After years of underachievement, John Hart, a yappy little former halfback from the Waitemata club, who worked at corporate behemoth Fletcher Challenge, got his hands on the team in the blue and white hoops. In the same year, the Ranfurly Shield holders turned their team over to a gruff Omihi farmer who'd come through the classic Canterbury path of boarding at a posh school, in his case St Andrew's, before returning to the land. Alex Wyllie, a former All Black and part of the infamous 'Black Hat Gang' on the controversial 1972-73 tour to Great Britain and Ireland, had little time for yappy halfbacks. This was the age of Grizz and Harty — two men who could not have been cut from more different cloth and who perfectly embodied their home provinces. The teams they created were in many respects cast in their own image, but in other ways contradicted it. Auckland might have been slick and corporate in comparison to their Mainland rivals, but they were not soft. Canterbury might have been more hardbitten and callused, but they were not without flair and mischief. They represented provinces with a natural suspicion of each other, though the disdain mainly flowed in one direction. This was the age when the pejorative term JAFA arrived, when the country perceived Aucklanders to be living in an episode of the show Gloss that would arrive midway through the decade — all big hair, shoulder pads, cocktails and lattes. As Auckland seemingly boomed, the rest of the country wasn't doing as well, especially those places that relied on manufacturing. The rural-urban divide, magnified by the different attitudes to the Springbok tour, was widening. Auckland, with its multicultural, financial outlook, was increasingly seen as a land apart. Wrote Grant Fox in The Game The Goal: 'It is a risky business to be seen in some way to be defending Auckland these days. There has been, in varying degrees of intensity, a complex out there about Auckland and Auckland rugby. I think it has something to do with success… something to do with the big city thing. It is unmistakably there.' As the rivalry developed, it was almost like Hart had Auckland, Grizz had The Rest of New Zealand. In 1982, Hart took Auckland to their first NPC title. Canterbury were second by the barest of margins. They actually beat Auckland at Eden Park, but a draw against 1979 champions Counties proved costly as Hart's men won the championship by a single point. The following year the balance was restored, with Canterbury romping through the season unbeaten, the highlight being a 31-9 pasting of Auckland in the Ranfurly Shield challenge on Lancaster Park. Perhaps nothing illustrates how much rugby has changed as the fact this scoreline was seen as seismic. Said Wayne Smith, who was playing first five-eighth, in Grizz - The Legend: 'We were in the tunnel, ready to run on to the field, and Grizz suddenly grabbed my jersey and said, 'Run it from everywhere.' You know, he just had a feeling, maybe he'd seen something in the Aucklanders' eyes, maybe he just knew we were at our peak and could tear them apart.' A lot of the country rejoiced at Auckland's embarrassment, as this was a team that was just starting to gather a swagger. Grant Fox was controlling things with metronomic accuracy at first-five, while John Kirwan, a blond butcher's apprentice plucked from third grade, was rampaging up and down the wing. Andy Haden, the Whetton twins and John Drake were marauding in the pack. If Canterbury were great in '83, Auckland were ridiculous the next year, winning nine out of 10 and compiling a points differential of +361. They put 50 on Waikato, 53 on Manawatū, 65 on both Bays, Plenty and Hawke's, but most staggeringly of all, they scored 32 for the loss of just three when they smashed Canterbury. Fans were already salivating at the prospect of a Shield challenge the following year. They got their wish. Canterbury were going for a record 26 defences when Auckland rolled into town. Lancaster Park was packed to the gunwales, with kids lining the dead-ball lines by the end of the game, which would create iconic images. It was such a febrile atmosphere that the Canterbury players ran to each side of the ground to thank the crowd before the match. It didn't help. Auckland rinsed the home team in the lineouts and sauntered to an unbelievable 24-0 halftime lead. From Grizz - The Legend: Wyllie wasn't angry about his team being down 24-0 at halftime, more sorry for them. They weren't losing with dignity. Victor Simpson noted there were no recriminations. 'He came out, grabbed the ball, said, 'Look, they scored their points with this, so can you'.' Slowly, then quickly, the Cantabs got back in the match as Auckland started to fluff their lines. As time ticked down, Canterbury scored two tries in two minutes to close the score to 28-23. With time up Smith hoisted the ball to the heavens. It eluded flailing fullback Lindsay Harris and bounced high into the in-goal with Craig Green, Kirwan and Fox in pursuit. The ball bounced Kirwan's way and he palmed it dead and referee Bob Francis whistled the game over. Auckland celebrate winning the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury in 1985. The Cantabs were left to ponder their slow start while the rest of the country, watching live on Sport on One, marvelled at the spectacle. Wrote Graham Hutchins in Magic Matches: 'Everyone won something at Lancaster Park in 1985. Auckland the Ranfurly Shield, Canterbury undying respect. And for once the media hype was right. It was, in all probability, that most elusive and ephemeral of any rugby promoter's dream — the match of the century.' The rivalry continued, though the main characters would soon shuffle off, with Hart and Wyllie becoming Sir Brian Lochore's assistants in the inaugural World Cup success. After some tortuous politicking, they would end up as co-coaches of the 1991 campaign where their oil-and-water personalities would ensure it was never a happy, cohesive or successful campaign. There were flashpoints in the NPC, particularly in 1990 when Canterbury contrived to ensure there were no scrums following the sending off of hooker John Buchan in the fourth minute. His replacement, Phil Cropper, (there's a name worth googling), informed the ref he was unable to play in the front row and weirdness ensued on the field and friction off it, where Gary Whetton insinuated that Canterbury were not real men. In 1996, with the birth of professional rugby, the rivalry shifted to the Blues and Crusaders. The essence was still there, but it was never quite as piquant. Professionalism flooded the game with money, so the them-and-us element of playing Auckland was never as strong. If anything, the Crusaders, not Auckland, have taken on the role of 'Them'. - Words by Dylan Cleaver
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
National law firm investigating potential class action against First Guardian Master Fund and Shield Master Fund after accusations of operating Ponzi scheme as more than $1bn on the line
Lawyers from Slater and Gordon are investigating a potential class action on behalf of investors against two collapsed superfunds - First Guardian Master Fund and Shield Master Fund - as they face accusations of running a Ponzi scheme. The national law firm has advised not only are 12,000 Australians expected to be affected by the alleged scheme, but more than $1b is at stake of being lost to the collapsed funds. Keystone Asset Management, the responsible entity for the Shield Master Fund, and Falcon Capital, the manager of the First Guardian Master Fund, have both entered into liquidation with ASIC understood to be carrying out a range of investigations against all parties involved. Previously ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court said ASIC's investigations are looking at the entire chain, including conduct of the lead generators, the financial advisers, the superannuation platforms, 'who we think have a real role here', and the research houses that 'listed these funds as investable'. Slater and Gordon principal lawyer in class actions Andy Wei confirmed the firm is investigating claims that investors were advised to roll their superannuation assets into largely unreliable funds, which has now caused great uncertainty amongst investors on how much of their funds would be recoverable. 'What we're seeing here is potentially deliberate misleading of investors, many of whom are everyday Australians looking to secure their nest eggs,' Mr Wei said. 'They were repeatedly assured that their superannuation would flow into diversified portfolios with steady returns.' He said despite this assurance, 'recent information shows that these funds were largely illiquid with their values grossly overstated.' Mr Wei added illiquid assets such as real estate, retirement accounts, collectibles and private equity could be harder to recover without 'significant loss of value'. He affirmed there is a chance that more than 12,000 Australians could be left out of pocket, with more than $1bn in superannuation 'potentially wiped out'. 'These are people's savings, and they deserve far better than this,' he said. 'Superannuation is meant to be tightly regulated, and many investors likely believed their money was safely managed by trusted, blue-chip superannuation companies.' A Slater and Gordon spokesman highlighted conduct issues at First Guardian 'observed' by FTI Consulting liquidators and accused the superfund of operating a Ponzi scheme with thousands of Australian's superannuation. 'Slater and Gordon understand that the liquidators of First Guardian have observed issues arising from co-mingling of investor funds, such that investors' monies were mixed up and used to pay for other investors' redemptions, or investment commitments and management fees, when ordinarily those redemptions, commitments, and fees should have come from income generated through investment activities,' they told NewsWire. 'Conduct of this kind is common to that seen in Ponzi schemes, and how this was allowed to occur forms a part of our investigation.' Mr Wei has urged investors who have been affected to come forward and contact the firm to help shaped the best path forward for recovery of their funds.
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Transfer News: Mohun Bagan SG Rope In Abhishek Singh Tekcham On 4-Year Deal
Last Updated: Mohun Bagan Super Giant signed full-back Abhishek Singh Tekcham from Punjab FC on a four-year deal. Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Thursday announced the signing of full-back Abhishek Singh Tekcham from Punjab FC on a four-year deal for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old from Manipur played in the majority of Punjab FC's Indian Super League matches in the 2024/2025 season. He has made 22 appearances, totaling 1,958 minutes on the field in the ISL. In the previous season, Abhishek Singh Tekcham made 12 Indian Super League appearances for Punjab FC and provided two assists. What Did Abhishek Singh Tekcham Say On Joining Mohun Bagan SG? 'I received offers from several big clubs in the country. But the reason I chose Mohun Bagan Super Giant is because it is the No. 1 club in the country. You win championships at Mohun Bagan. You win trophies. You chase dreams," Abhishek Singh Tekcham was quoted as saying after his move. 'Their continuous trophy-winning journey inspired me to join them. This club is always in the title race. I also dream of winning titles in the club's jersey," Abhishek said, after joining the club. 'While playing for Punjab, I won the I-League. But I have not won the premier competitions in the country – the ISL and the Shield – yet. I hope I'll be able to fulfil that dream by playing for Mohun Bagan. 'Many top stars of Indian football are here. Training and playing with them will benefit me. Though I have played for India, I aim to play in the AFC Championship. That's a dream I want to fulfil," Abhishek added. view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 15:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
