Ranfurly Shield in 2009
| Ranfurly Shield | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Countries |
 New Zealand
|
| Official website | |
| www |
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| Ranfurly Shield | |
|---|---|
| Holders |
 Southland Canterbury Wellington
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| Last Defence |
Canterbury 3-9 Southland
|
The Ranfurly Shield went through 10 challenges in the 2009 season, changing hands twice, and was held by Southland at the conclusion of the season.
Wellington started off their 2009 Ranfurly Shield campaign with easy wins over Heartland teams Wairarapa Bush (90–19) and Wanganui (61–6). Wellington had their first challenge against an Air New Zealand Cup team when they defeated Otago on 31 July by 23 points to 19. Their second challenge was on 22 August against Auckland, winning 16 points to 15. Wellington's last game as owner of the shield was on 29 August, a 36-14 loss to Canterbury.
Canterbury's first challenge of the season was against southern foes Otago; they won the game on 12 September 36 points to 16. They beat Taranaki 29 points to 17 to defend it for the second time. Northland were next to challenge for the shield, but couldn't pull off the upset, losing 31-21. Canterbury's fourth challenge of the season was won comfortably 50 points to 26. In their fifth and final challenge of the season, Canterbury lost the Ranfurly Shield to Southland on 22 October 9 points to 3. Southland would not have their first challenge until the following year.
Wellington were the holders coming into 2009 after they won it off Auckland in round 8 of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup. Their first two challenges were against two Heartland teams. The first against Wairarapa Bush on 2 July, which they won 90 points to 19. Their second was against Wanganui on 9 July which they also won 61 to 6. Otago was the first Air New Zealand Cup team to challenge in 2009 when it came in round 1 of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup. Wellington successfully defended the shield against Otago when they beat them 23 points to 19 on 31 July. Auckland were Wellingtons second challenge of the 2009 Air NZ Cup, they played them in round 4 and won 16-15 at Westpac Stadium on 22 August. A week later Wellington played their 3rd Air New Zealand Cup challenge and 5th overall in 2009 against Canterbury, after the challengers established a 26-0 lead at halftime, it was to much for Wellington to regain the lead and their Ranfurly Shield tenure with 5 successful challenges, the longest time they've held onto the shield since 1953.
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