Aisle be Back: The Ranfurly Shield, the Black Ferns, the Boks and Super Rugby Pacific changes

• By Kevin McCarthy 

A bit of heresy here. Would it be that bad if Tasman held onto the Shield for a bit longer? Meaning the Lions would not win this weekend.

It was definitely a highlight of the year to watch those last few minutes of the match against Hawke’s Bay, the dramatic comeback, crowd going nuts, and then the dagger to the heart final kick.

When it ends a 50-year drought bookended by Marlborough’s legendary win over Canterbury in 1973, it’s a great reminder of the power of the log to lift community interest.

The game this weekend would have been a cracker anyway, now it should be aa fantastic atmosphere if locals turn out as they should.

Wellington on the other hand has a lot of experience of holding, and of course eventually losing the Shield. It’s not exactly  a novelty, however much seizing it is something to be treasured.

So, let’s be generous. Let the shield work its magic in the provinces for a while longer.

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The other standout match of the weekend will be the Black Ferns – England clash at Twickenham.

The world champions versus the dominant women’s team of the past few years.

All the predictions are that Twickenham will be quite, quite full – maybe a record for the women’s game globally. The RFU certainly think they’re onto something big by saying they’ve been under-pricing tickets.

The Red Roses, coached by none other than John Mitchell – versus the Black Ferns should indeed be the marque game  of the year – and one where New Zealand can happily go in with the underdogs tag.

But the PR battle, as usual, goes to the Black Ferns, That group hug with King Charles was something else, and the sort of  endearing stuff this group pulls off effortlessly.

That would have got you executed a few centuries ago.

Ayesha Leti-L’iga is back. Photo: Dave Lintott. 

Black Ferns team to play England is (Test caps in brackets);
1. Chryss Viliko (6)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (24)
3. Tanya Kalounivale (14)
4. Alana Bremner (21)
5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25)
6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (22)
7. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) (23) (Co-Captain)
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (6)
9. Maia Joseph (4)
10. Hannah King (3)
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (10)
12. Ruahei Demant (37) (Co-Captain)
13. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt (17)
14. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (21)
15. Renee Holmes (18)

16. Atlanta Lolohea (1)
17. Kate Henwood (5)
18. Amy Rule (24)
19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (2)
20. Layla Sae (7)
21. Iritana Hohaia (10)
22. Amy du Plessis (17)
23. Ruby Tui (14)

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I’m sorry but the general nervous breakdown about the All Blacks in South Africa – at least in  the media, and particularly at the Herald – is quite overwrought.

The weekend loss to South Africa was again frustrating – but the calls for drastic rethinks, big selection calls, and the like, are the sort of thing justified in Razor’s third season, not his first.

There are no overnight successes, not even coaches with an uber record at lower levels.

South Africa after all are enjoying a generational golden period that had its birth in the depths of despair – when the Springboks shipped 57 points at Albany and scored precisely nil.

That was, may I remind you, just seven years ago. The Boks since then have won consecutive World Cups.  I bet you wouldn’t have put any money on that in 2017.

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The changes to Super Rugby Pacific have just dropped today and there’s too much to unpick at this stage.

But nice to see a recognition that a bit more afternoon rugby is overdue.

I don’t quite understand the new playoff system, with six teams, but I am sure smarter people than me will pick it up quickly.

Inevitably, with 11 teams, the seventh and eighth slot for playoffs are gone. I predict critics will soon say it should be four team playoffs.