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For the first time since 1982, the Wellington Lions will head into the new season as defending National Provincial Championship winners and Ranfurly Shield winners. Today a 40-strong squad has been selected with that task, starting with this coming weekend’s opening NPC and Coronation Cup clash against Manawatū (non-Ranfurly Shield match). The
Wellington Lions
Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 052: Norman Millard
For the much of its existence as Wellington’s Premier rugby ground, the far side of Athletic Park was known as the western bank, and its denizens were known as western bankers. Not for the faint-hearted, the western bank was a precarious, often dangerous, and sometimes feral embankment that was upgraded following
Ranfurly Shield Match Savers: Wellington v Auckland 1956
The Wellington team with the Ranfurly Shield 1956. The Match: Wellington v Auckland, Athletic Park, 29 September 1956 Referee: W.H. Fright (Canterbury) Conditions: Fine and sunny Crowd: 20,000 The Result: Wellington 9 – Auckland 6 The Teams: Wellington: 1.W.G. Dick, 2. G. Harris, 3. I.M.H. Vodanovich, 4. D.N. McIntosh (captain), 5. J.B.S. Hutchinson, 6. I.N. MacEwan, 7.
Wellington defends Ranfurly Shield against spirited Horowhenua-Kapiti
By Adam Julian and Steven White Wellington: 68 (Sione Halalilo, Dominic Bird, Asafo Aumua, Isi Saumaki 2, Sam Clarke, TJ Clarke, Lewis Northcott, Kailopasi Uluilakepa, Joe Faleafaga tries; Aidan Morgan 9 con) Horowhenua Kapiti: 7 (Malaki Masoe try, Jack Tatu-Roberston con) Wellington successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield in their first defence of 2023, resisting a
Ranfurly Shield Match Savers: Wellington v Wairarapa 1905
Above: The Wellington team in 1904 - the inaugural Ranfurly Shield winners. The nucleus of this team - minus Billy Wallace, Duncan McGregor and Fred Roberts who were away with the 'Originals' All Blacks - played in Ranfurly Shield defences in 1905 including this one against Wairarapa. The Match: Wellington v