Ranfurly Shield on the line for the first time in season of new tenure as both teams named

The Wellington Lions match-day squad to defend the Ranfurly Shield on Wednesday is: 1. Ha'amea Ahio (Johnsonville) 2. Asafo Aumua (Avalon) 3. PJ Sheck (Tawa) 4. Hugo Plummer (Tawa) 5. Dominic Bird (Upper Hutt Rams) vice-captain 6. Dominic Ropeti* (Oriental-Rongotai) 7. Sione Halalilo (Oriental-Rongotai) 8. Keelan Whitman (Marist St Pats) 9. Logan Henry* (Petone) 10. Aidan Morgan (Marist St Pats) 11.

Lions to defend the Ranfurly Shield against Horowhenua-Kapiti and South Canterbury

Horowhenua-Kapiti and South Canterbury will be the Wellington Lions’ two Heartland Championship Ranfurly Shield challengers this season, ahead of the National Provincial Championship starting in August. The Lions will defend the Ranfurly Shield on the road in Levin against Horowhenua-Kapiti on Wednesday 12 July. They will then host Heartland Championship Meads Cup