Ranfurly Shield 2020–2029
| Ranfurly Shield | |
|---|---|
| Countries | New Zealand |
| Champions | Taranaki |
| Matches played | 36 |
| Tries scored | 302 (average 8.4 per match) |
| Top point scorer | Lincoln McClutchie (Hawke's Bay) 203 points |
| Top try scorer | Neria Fomai (Hawke's Bay) 9 tries |
| Official website | |
| www | |
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.
The Shield is currently held by Taranaki, who won it from Tasman in a 42–29 victory on 6 October 2024. Tasman had held the Shield since 7 September 2024 when the Mako took the Shield off Hawke's Bay and successfully defended it twice.
It was Tasman's first Ranfurly Shield tenure. Marlborough won the Shield once (in 1973) and defended it successfully six times, but the Tasman Rugby Union, which is the result of the merger of Marlborough and Nelson Bays, had never held the Shield before.