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Lachlan Boshier presents Michael Collins with the Ranfurly Shield after the Miter 10 Cup third round match between Taranaki and Otago.
Just a week ago, fans of the Taranaki Bulls were celebrating after their team snatched the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury.
On Sunday, they watched as the Bulls handed him over to Otago after the South team’s 30-19 win at TET Stadium in Inglewood.
Taranaki’s fans had arrived for the game, the first at level 1, full of optimism, which was soon replaced by stoicism as the scoreboard went the way of Otago.
The 4,000-seat stadium was packed, and fans faced frequent heavy rains and strong winds in wellies, rain ponchos, coats and even blankets and an occasional black garbage bag.
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Hidden under a roof with good friends and a beer in hand, Taranaki supporter Carey Duggan felt confident.
“It will be a victory, 100 percent,” he said.
“It’s good for Inglewood, that position is full there.”
BRODY DOLAN / Things
Cameron Gall, Carey Duggan and Tony Geurts enjoying a cold beer at Taranaki’s Shield defense on Sunday.
Nearby, Chris Withers and his family were equally upbeat.
“Of course they will win,” he said.
In the general entrance stands, there was good-humored optimism from supporters on both sides.
BRODY DOLAN / Things
Taranaki’s Kaylum Boshier picks up the ball in front of a packed stadium for the first time since closing
Otago supporters Sereima Kubunavanua and her family had traveled from Whanganui to support her nephew, Vilimono Koroi, who plays for their team.
“It’s the first game we’ve seen him play since he started with Otago.”
BRODY DOLAN / Things
Taranaki’s Sean Wainui puts on the afterburners and walks away from the Otago defense.
It was the first time security guard Aotea Katene had worked at the stadium, and she was enjoying the afternoon despite being soaked from the rain earlier.
“It’s good to be in an environment like this, a family environment,” he said.
At the appropriately amber and black Infused Mobile Kitchen trailer, Danielle Hill and Ronan Santos said demand for their Asian-style food had been constant.
BRODY DOLAN / Things
Joanne Pierce, Kevin Kerr, Kris Te Paa and Cassie and Shaun Conaglen showing their support for the bulls on Sunday
“I enjoy a good game, it’s the smell, it’s the atmosphere, the kids have fun, people wear their rubber boots,” Hill said.
“I grew up with rugby, my dad and I went to rugby all the time, whenever there was rugby it was daddy daughter’s day.”
When the Bulls started losing in the first half, Inglewood’s Steve Wilson still had hopes of winning.
“They are playing against the wind, that’s a 21 point advantage. To be honest, I thought we would miss the Barrett boys, but we don’t, ”he said.
BRODY DOLAN / Things
From left to right: Chris Withers, Craig Adams, Ben Withers (10), Blair, Natalie (12), Julie and Ethan Withers, and Mike Ramsay, all enjoying Sunday’s game.
He was enjoying having the game in his home stadium.
“It’s fantastic, rugby is nice and close, you can see and hear everything, see how great the players are, it’s a real show.”
Later, walking out the door, Wilson got philosophical.
“It is what it is. Otago played well and Taranaki didn’t get enough of the wind in the second half, really, but we had the shield for a week.”
