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The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies. The holding union must defend the Shield in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield.
Contents
Waikato opened the decade with the Ranfurly Shield defending it successfully 21 times prior to losing it. The shield changed hands 11 times throughout the decade, Canterbury notably winning the shield four separate times, but ultimately losing it to Auckland, North Harbour, again to Auckland, and then Southland, who held the shield at the close of the decade.
2000
Waikato finally succumbed to the pressure of Ranfurly shield rugby after valiantly defending the shield 21 times, a run of games stretching back to 1997.
2003
After 23 successive shield defences, Canterbury fall to long time rivals Auckland after a dominant performance in Christchurch, sees the shield head home to Auckland.
2004
A shock upset in Auckland, as Bay of Plenty claim their first Ranfurly Shield victory, a historic win at the hallowed turf of Eden Park.
After a brilliant home defence over Waikato, the Bay of Plenty falls to Canterbury as they claim back what was theirs last season.
2006
Christchurch is the home of upsets as North Harbour win the shield for the first time in 21 years since the clubs inaugural season.
2007
North Harbour's historic first run of shield defences comes to a crunching halt by a simply dominant Waikato.
But ultimately it wouldn't be a successful shield reign as Canterbury claim the shield back after just over a year without it.
A dominant Auckland team crushed any hopes Canterbury had of repeating the double figure shield defences of earlier in the decade.
2008
On the weekend of Auckland Rugby's 125th anniversary, a dominant Wellington side broke Auckland hearts, and Wellington's 26-year drought stretching back to 1982.
2009
Just under two years after losing the shield to Auckland, Canterbury regain it after a dominant performance in the capital, outclassing Wellington.
Christchurch again were host to a mighty upset as Southland regained the Shield for the fifth time in their history after a 50-year hiatus stretching back to 1959.