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.
Three unions held the Ranfurly Shield between 1910 and 1919. Due to the outbreak of World War I, however, no matches were played between 1915 and 1918.
| Union | Won | Successful defences |
|---|---|---|
 Auckland | Held at beginning of decade | 11 |
 Taranaki | 16 August 1913 | 6 |
 Wellington | 10 September 1914 | 5 |
| 13 August 1910 |
| Auckland | 11–3 |  Hawke's Bay |
| Try: R.B. Magee, J.T. Wylie, Frank Morse Con: William Cunningham | Try: R. McEwan |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 5,000 [1] Referee: J. Williams (Auckland) |
| 20 August 1910 |
| Auckland | 3–3 | Wellington |
| Drop: Joe O'Leary | Try: Frederick Roberts |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 15,000 [2] Referee: J. Williams (Auckland) |
| 3 September 1910 |
| Auckland | 16–9 | Taranaki |
| Try: H. Harrison, George Tyler Con: R.B. Magee, Joe O'Leary Pen: Joe O'Leary (2) | Try: L.J. Hill Pen: Leonard Stohr Drop: Leonard Stohr |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 12,000 [3] Referee: Edward McKenzie (Wairarapa) |
| 10 September 1910 |
| Auckland | 6–4 |  Canterbury |
| Try: H. Harrison, J.T. Wylie | Drop: A.E. Doell |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 10,000 [4] Referee: Angus Campbell (Auckland) |
| 23 August 1911 |
| Auckland | 21–5 |  South Auckland |
| Try: Dougie McGregor (2), R.B. Magee, Harold Hayward, James Stewart, T.M. Wilkes Pen: Joe O'Leary | Try: S.Darby Con: A. Hyde |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 2,000 [5] Referee: C.W. Oram (Auckland) |
| 16 September 1911 |
| Auckland | 29–10 |  Poverty Bay |
| Try: Victor Macky (2), A.C. Wilson (2), J.A. Bruce, Joe O'Leary, Dougie McGregor Con: Joe O'Leary (2), R.B. Magee, Victor Macky | Try: Aorere Mahaki, Robert Douglas Drop: Erekana Pewhairangi |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 6,000 [6] Referee: F. Spurdle (Taranaki) |
| 17 August 1912 |
| Auckland | 6–5 | Taranaki |
| Try: Victor Macky Pen: Karl Ifwersen | Try: Jack McLeod Con: John Franklin |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 12,000 [7] Referee: Edward McKenzie (Wairarapa) |
| 24 August 1912 |
| Auckland | 12–0 | Wellington |
| Try: Victor Macky (4) |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 15,000 [8] Referee: Edward McKenzie (Wairarapa) |
| 7 September 1912 |
| Auckland | 5–5 |  Otago |
| Try: Victor Macky Con: T.P. Walshe | Try: W. Alexander Con: E. Watson |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 3,000 [9] Referee: J. Williams (Auckland) |
| 19 July 1913 |
| Auckland | 6–5 | Wellington |
| Try: C.L. Nisbet Pen: Joe O'Leary | Try: Frank Mitchinson Con: A.C. Evensen |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 7,000 [10] Referee: George Nicholson (Auckland) |
| 9 August 1913 |
| Auckland | 27–3 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: Dougie McGregor (2), Victor Macky, J.T. Wylie Con: Joe O'Leary (3) Pen: Joe O'Leary (3) | Drop: William Tate |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 5,000 [11] Referee: R.L. Simpson (Wellington) |
| 16 August 1913 |
| Auckland | 11–14 | Taranaki |
| Try: W. McK. Geddes, Lyn Weston, Dougie McGregor Con: Joe O'Leary | Try: R.W. Roberts (2), George Loveridge, Henry Dewar Con: G.J. Hawkins |
| Alexandra Park, Auckland Attendance: 10,000 [12] Referee: Edward McKenzie (Wairarapa) |
| 27 June 1914 |
| Taranaki | 17–3 |  Wanganui |
| Try: Reginald Taylor, C.C. Whittington, John Colman Con: Leonard Stohr Pen: Leonard Stohr Drop: Leonard Stohr | Try: S.J. Smith |
| Showgrounds Oval, Hāwera Referee: W.J. Meredith (Wellington) |
| 23 July 1914 |
| Taranaki | 11–3 |  Manawatu |
| Try: John Kissick, G.F. Bertrand, James Robertson Con: Leonard Stohr | Try: William Carroll |
| Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Attendance: 1,500 [13] Referee: F. Spurdle (Taranaki) |
| 5 August 1914 |
| Taranaki | 14–3 |  Horowhenua-Kapiti |
| Try: O.M. Young, C.R. Birchall, R. Paterson Con: Leonard Stohr Pen: Leonard Stohr | Drop: Nepia Winiata |
| Showgrounds Oval, Hāwera Attendance: 500 [14] Referee: W.B. Scott (Wanganui) |
| 13 August 1914 |
| Taranaki | 22–3 |  Wairarapa |
| Try: C.F. Young (4), C.C. Whittington, R. Paterson Con: Leonard Stohr (2) | Try: W. Redmond |
| Victoria Park, Stratford Attendance: 1,000 [15] Referee: W.J. Meredith (Wellington) |
| 20 August 1914 |
| Taranaki | 6–5 | Canterbury |
| Try: C.C. Whittington Pen: Leonard Stohr | Try: Edward Hasell Con: E.E. Crawshaw |
| Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Attendance: 2,500 [16] Referee: W.J. Meredith (Wellington) |
| 27 August 1914 |
| Taranaki | 6–0 |  Southland |
| Try: R.W. Roberts, Donald Cameron |
| Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Attendance: 1,500 [17] Referee: George Nicholson (Auckland) |
| 10 September 1914 |
| Taranaki | 6–12 | Wellington |
| Try: Reginald Taylor Pen: Leonard Stohr | Try: E. Fisher, Beethoven Algar Con: Edward Roberts Drop: Beethoven Algar |
| Victoria Park, Stratford Attendance: 2,500 [18] Referee: George Nicholson (Auckland) |
| 30 August 1919 |
| Wellington | 21–8 | Canterbury |
| Try: J.M. McArthur (2), M.C. Corner, H. Elliot, W.T. Ryan Con: R. Green (2), Edward Roberts | Try: L. Buchanan, E. Cummings Con: H. Davis |
| Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 9,500 [19] Referee: T.H. Jones (Wellington) |
| 6 September 1919 |
| Wellington | 18–10 | Taranaki |
| Try: M.C. Corner, Beethoven Algar, Albert de Clifton Con: Edward Roberts Pen: Edward Roberts Drop: Edward Roberts | Try: F.H. Masters, A.E. Spratt Con: S.D. George (2) |
| Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 5,500 [20] Referee: E.N. Tregear (Wanganui) |
| 13 September 1919 |
| Wellington | 23–9 | Canterbury |
| Try: Sydney Shearer, Jack Shearer, N.A.J. Barker, Beethoven Algar Con: R. Green (3), J.T. Tilyard Drop: R. Green | Pen: H. Davis (2) Drop: H. Davis |
| Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch Attendance: 5,000 [21] Referee: J.F. Peake (Canterbury) |
| 17 September 1919 |
| Wellington | 24–3 | Auckland |
| Try: Beethoven Algar, Albert de Clifton, M.C. Corner, R.J. Paton, N.A.J. Barker, J.T. Tilyard Con: Edward Roberts Drop: F.A. Malin | Try: M.R. Grierson |
| Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 10,000 [22] Referee: A.F.R. Crawford (Wellington) |
| 4 October 1919 |
| Wellington | 30–3 | Wanganui |
| Try: N.A.J. Barker (2), Umberto Calcinai (2), Sydney Shearer (2), Jack Shearer, J.T. Tilyard Con: F.A. Malin, Sydney Shearer, Jack Shearer | Try: A. Campion |
| Athletic Park, Wellington Attendance: 6,000 [23] Referee: Alfred Neilson (Wellington) |
The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, is an annual round-robin rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played in 1976, it is the second highest level of competition in New Zealand alongside the Ranfurly Shield. It is organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and since 2021, it has been known as the Bunnings NPC after its headline sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Farah Palmer Cup.
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Shield is based on a challenge system. The holding union must defend the shield in challenge matches, which are usually played at the shield holder's home venue, and if the challenger is successful in their challenge they will become the new holder of the Shield. There is a tradition for the first challenges of a new rugby season to be played against smaller associations from the Heartland Championship.
The North Harbour Rugby Union (NHRU), commonly known as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is the governing body of rugby union that encompasses a wide geographical area north of Auckland that includes North Shore City, Rodney District, the Hibiscus Coast and part of Waitakere City. There are 12 rugby clubs from Mahurangi RFC, based in Warkworth, Rodney District, in the north through to Massey the southernmost area of the union.
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a portion of the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Its colours are red and black in a hooped design. The CRFU govern the running of the Canterbury representative team which have won New Zealand's first-tier domestic competition National Provincial Championship 14 times including a "six-peat" from 2008 to 2013 – with five in the National Provincial Championship, two in the Air New Zealand Cup, five in the ITM Cup and one in the Mitre 10 Cup. Their most recent victory was the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. Canterbury also acts as a primary feeder to the Crusaders, who play in the Super Rugby competition.
The Auckland Rugby Union is a New Zealand provincial rugby union. The union was established in 1883 and was originally responsible for the administration of the sport in most of the former Auckland Province, although its boundaries have since shrunk to include only a portion of the Auckland urban area. The union governs the Auckland representative team, which has won New Zealand's first-tier domestic provincial competition 17 times, more than any other team. Their most recent title was the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership. The union administers all club rugby within its boundaries, including the Gallaher Shield and other senior club rugby, as well as school rugby. Auckland also acts as a primary feeder to the Blues, who play in the Super Rugby competition.
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial competition. The union was to have been liquidated in March 2012. However a deal involving the Dunedin City Council allowed it to keep operating. Otago have won the Ranfurly Shield on seven occasions. They were the National provincial championship winners in 1991 and 1998. They have a proud record playing international teams, having defeated South Africa and the British and Irish Lions.
The Wellington Rugby Football Union are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Wellington Region. The main stadium is Sky Stadium which is located in Wellington. The union also represents the Wellington Lions, which is professional rugby union team who compete in the National Provincial Championship competition and contest for the Ranfurly Shield. Before 2006 the Lions competed in the original National Provincial Championship.
The Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Headquartered in Hamilton, WRU was founded in 1921.
The Manawatu Rugby Football Union (MRU) serves as the governing body of the sport of rugby union in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand.
Taranaki Rugby, previously the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, is the governing body for rugby union in Taranaki, New Zealand; Taranaki is a region of New Zealand that covers areas in the districts of New Plymouth and South Taranaki. Established in 1889, they represent the Mitre 10 Cup side, Taranaki Bulls, and Farah Palmer Cup side, Taranaki Whio. It is also affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are amber and black and they play their home games at TET Stadium & Events Centre in Inglewood.
The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, was an annual promotion and relegation rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played during the 1976 season, it was the highest level of competition in New Zealand until Super Rugby launched in 1996. It was organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and ceased following the 2005 season.
The 2009 Air New Zealand Cup was the 33rd provincial rugby union competition, the fourth since the competition's reconstruction in 2006, involving the top 14 provincial unions in New Zealand. It ran for 15 weeks from 30 July to 7 November. It was also the last edition of the provincial competition to use the Air New Zealand Cup name, as the competition's sponsorship contract with Air New Zealand ended after that season. The 2010 competition will be held under a new name, the ITM Cup.
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is arguably 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.
The 2009 Air New Zealand Cup was a provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand, which was run as a round-robin tournament from 30 July to 25 October. There were 13 rounds where every team played each other once. The top four teams on the Air New Zealand Cup table advanced to the semi-finals, where they played for a chance in the Grand Final.
The Ranfurly Shield went through 10 challenges in the 2009 season, changing hands twice, and was held by Southland at the conclusion of the season.
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. Hawke's Bay were the most successful team during this period with 24 successful defences which was, at that stage, a record.
George Gothard Aitken was a rugby union footballer who represented New Zealand – known as the All Blacks – and then Scotland. He was born in Westport, New Zealand, and was selected to play provincially for Buller at the age of 16. After moving to Wellington, Aitken played for the province from 1917, and from there was selected for the All Blacks side that faced South Africa when they toured New Zealand in 1921. After only two Test matches for the All Blacks, both as captain, he was dropped from the team. In 1922 Aitken was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and travelled to England to study at the University of Oxford. He played for the university's rugby club, and from there he was selected for Scotland. He first represented the country in 1924, and in 1925 appeared in all of their Five Nations matches; Scotland won all four of those games, and in doing so achieved their first ever Grand Slam.
Beethoven Algar, commonly known as Beet, was a New Zealand rugby union player. A back who played in any position from first five-eighth to wing, Algar represented Wellington at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1920 and 1921. He played six matches for the All Blacks, including one as captain, but did not appear in any internationals.
Henry "Norkey" Dewar was a New Zealand rugby union forward, who played for the All Blacks, and represented Taranaki and Wellington provinces.
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 defends the Shield in challenge matches - which are their home games - and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield.