Northland defend Ranfurly Shield at sold-out Whangarei as Tasman seek swift revenge

Northland’s first home Ranfurly Shield defence in 46 years is sold out, with around 20,000 fans expected at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei on Sunday as the Taniwha face Tasman Mako — the side they displaced as holders just last week.

Northland’s 36-12 demolition of defending NPC champions Canterbury in Christchurch last Thursday was a result laden with history: their first win over Canterbury since 1999, their first in Christchurch since 1987, and Canterbury’s heaviest home defeat since a 38-10 loss to Tasman in 2014. The week before that, Northland had blanked Taranaki 42-0 — the first time an NPC Division 1 side had been held scoreless against them since 1980.

Tasman know the feeling well. The Mako won the Shield for the first time on September 7, 2024, edging Hawke’s Bay 25-24 at McLean Park in Napier on a 47-metre penalty goal kicked by Campbell Parata on full-time — a chance created by a breakdown penalty won by All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Of that historic Tasman side, only four players are available for Sunday’s challenge: lock Antonio Shalfoon, captain and openside Johnny Lee, loosehead prop Ryan Coxon, and first-five William Havili, who contributed 12 points that night through three penalties and a drop goal.

Havili, speaking ahead of Sunday’s match, recalled the mindset that carried Tasman to their maiden Shield. “We had a mindset that night to win the Shield; you have to attack from the start and keep going,” he said. “We made a really strong start with tries to Ryan Coxon and Quentin MacDonald. We knew Hawke’s Bay would come back hard. We just had to keep attacking while staying disciplined and winning key moments.”

Havili admitted he left the field before the decisive kick. “I went off with about ten minutes to go. I chose to fail the HIA because I knew I was going to fail anyway,” he said with a laugh. “I had every confidence Campbell would kick the penalty. It was a long way out with a lot of pressure, but I knew he was capable. I’d seen him knock over a few clutch kicks in club footy.”

The first-five also reflected on the community impact of Tasman’s Shield tenure — and offered a measured view of what Northland are now experiencing. “The reception we got was huge; the airport was packed and the whole community rallied behind it,” Havili said. “Can it become a distraction? Not at all. It’s a privilege. Hard-working people pay their money to support us. What Northland will be experiencing this week will be special.”

Formed in 2006 from the merger of Nelson Bays and Marlborough, Tasman had endured eight failed Shield challenges between 1924 and 2005 before finally claiming the trophy last year. Northland’s task now is to prove their Canterbury scalp was no fluke — and Tasman, despite being reduced to just four survivors from their own Shield-winning night, will be determined to reclaim it.