30 Sep 2023

Hawkes Bay reclaim Ranfurly Shield

4:54 pm on 30 September 2023
Lolagi Visinia of Hawkes Bay  celebrates with Jonah Lowe after scoring in his side's Ranfurly Shield win.

Lolagi Visinia of Hawkes Bay celebrates with Jonah Lowe after scoring in his side's Ranfurly Shield win. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / www.photosport.nz

Hawkes Bay have beaten Wellington 20-18 to win rugby's Ranfurly Shield at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

Trailing 18-13 with only minutes remaining replacement Hawkes Bay forward Sam Smith burrowed over in front of the posts to make it 18-all.

Hawkes Bay first five Lincoln McLutche slotted the conversion to give the Magpies the lead 20-18 with just two minutes to go.

Wellington led 10-8 at halftime.

Wellington beat Hawkes Bay 19-12 to take the Shield in Napier last year ending their three year reign with the Shield after they had taken it off Otago in Dunedin in 2020.

-RNZ