Waikato will take the Ranfurly Shield into the Mitre 10 Cup season after an unconvincing 32-12 victory over Wanganui in their last pre-season defence. Waikato 32 (Trainor (2), Tavuyara, Taufui, Douglas, Misa tries, Trainor con)Wanganui 12 (Thornbury, Hughes tries, Whale 2 cons)Halftime: 10-0 Waikato visit Tasman in their season opener before putting the Shield on the line against North Harbour in their first defence of the 2016 campaign. Having already defended the Shield against Thames Valley and King Country, 2015 Meads Cup winners Wanganui proved to be tougher opposition, putting together one of the more competitive performances by a Heartland Championship side in a Shield clash. Wanganui made their mark on the encounter though with some well-deserved second-half tries, including an intercept effort by Gavin Thornbury which aided the visitors to their best Shield performance since 1977.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 06, 2016 05:26 UTC