Northland end 48-year Ranfurly Shield drought by demolishing Canterbury 31-12 in Christchurch

Northland ended 48 years without the Ranfurly Shield by defeating Canterbury 31-12 at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Thursday, a result that also marked their first win in that city since the late 1980s.

Canterbury had entered the match as holders, having claimed ‘The Log of Wood’ with a four-point win over Otago in round two before defending it with a 33-28 victory over Bay of Plenty the previous weekend. That set up Northland’s challenge — and the Taniwha made no mistake.

Hooker James Mullen opened the scoring in the fifth minute, peeling off a maul and powering through an Andrew Knewstubb tackle attempt. Pivot Rivez Reihana added the conversion, but Canterbury hit back quickly through tries from Tahlor Cahill and Jone Rova to lead 12-7.

From that point, Northland scored the next 24 points unanswered. Marcel Renata levelled matters before Reihana’s conversion nudged the visitors ahead, and then Sam Nock produced the defining moment of the match — breaking a tackle and sprinting to the try line to spark jubilant scenes among his teammates. Reihana converted all three first-half attempts as Northland took a nine-point lead into the break.

Early in the second half, Northland opted for a tap move from a penalty five metres out, and All Blacks Sevens representative Rob Rush crashed over to extend the lead. Reihana converted and added a penalty shortly after, leaving Canterbury needing a comeback they could not produce.

Northland’s defence held firm as Canterbury pressed, and Rush sealed the night with a second try after the final whistle had sounded, completing a famous double in what became a landmark evening for the province.

The victory ends a drought that stretched back to 1979, when Northland last held the Shield, and delivers the Taniwha one of the most celebrated results in their history.