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'It will be always out and about': Counties' Ranfurly Shield to stay busy over summer
Sport Nation • October 5th, 2026 11:59 am
Counties Manukau retained the Ranfurly Shield against Hawkes Bay despite only winning four games in 2026 | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
Counties Manukau head coach Reon Graham has declared the Ranfurly Shield will spend little time in a cabinet, with the team planning to share the Log o' Wood with the province throughout summer.
Counties claimed the Shield from Northland for the first time since 2013, before holding on to it against Hawke’s Bay during the final round
“It’s not going to be locked away. In fact I think it will hardly see the trophy cupboard,” he told Sport Nation Mornings.
“I just think sharing it around, it helps connect with the community and also it helps us as a team understand what things like this can mean, which I think is important.
“When you actually take it around and show various people, whether young or old, you get a real sense for what it means and how long it's been around and how tough it is to win,” he explained.
Counties rub salt in Sumo's wound with Shield celebrations | Scotty & Izzy
Graham said connecting with people was an important part of what the team could offer beyond its performances on the field.
“I think sometimes you lose sight and try too hard to focus on the rugby side of things when connecting to the community and making people happy is what it's all about.”
He was already putting that idea into practice, taking the Shield to visit a friend in hospital.
“Right now, I'm up at Auckland Hospital visiting an old mate who's been under it a bit lately, so I'm bringing him a little bit of joy.
“Then we'll have a schedule for it. Everybody's going to get a bit of a turn and get it around as many people as we can and we'll share the love for sure.
“It will be always out and about somewhere.”
Listen to the full interview below:
