Odds against southerners lifting shield
Waikato has won the Ranfurly Shield eight times since the national provincial championships began in 1976. Otago and Southland have won just three times in the same period. Southlands won in 2009 and 2011, while Otagos won it in 2013. Waikatos has successfully defended the shield 47 times. Southlanders have had nine unsuccessful defences. The last challenge of the year is on October 13. It is the last round of Mitre 10 Cup. Auckland and Canterbury are the biggest teams in New Zealand. They are heavyweights in domestic rugby. In 1980, Arthur Stone intercepted a pass to win the trophy off Auckland.
