Going Bush with the Ranfurly Shield

BY SAM WORTHINGTON

Rookie Wellington Lions skipper Scott Fuglistaller needs no reminding of what's at stake today.

Each day at training at Newtown's Rugby League Park he only has to glance at the bank to see a giant mock Ranfurly Shield on display, but the real Log o' Wood goes on the line this afternoon at Masterton's Memorial Park.

Wellington are expected to wipe the floor with Heartland Championship minnows Wairarapa-Bush, who are rank 100-1 outsiders at the TAB, but Fuglistaller will be on edge for several reasons.

Firstly, coach Jamie Joseph has entrusted the 22-year-old Wests openside with captaincy for the first time; secondly, he has surrounded him with little-known club and academy players; and thirdly, if the unthinkable happened, Fuglistaller would go down as losing captain in the biggest shield upset of all time.

"I'm not a hugely nervous sort of player but it's always in the back of your mind you don't want to be the person to lose the shield," Fuglistaller said.

"They've got promotions on Saturday ready for it, a big `Find the Shield' day and it's pretty presumptuous before we even play. But with the talent we've got in Wellington I think we should go all right."

Fuglistaller has even been getting the wind-up from team management, reminding him the team more resembles cubs than Lions.

"I got thrown a comment last week that it's the least experienced team ever to defend the Ranfurly Shield, which is very interesting, especially being a young captain."

Fuglistaller had played Wairarapa-Bush several times as part of Wellington XVs and was prepared for a committed, relentless challenge today. "They don't stop and that's one of the things that's really positive about their play."

His anxiety was eased by most of the squad having trained together over the last three to four months.

"That really helps. I don't think combinations will be a problem."

Fuglistaller, finally recovered from last year's season-ending shoulder injury, is not short on captaincy experience, having led New Plymouth's Francis Douglas Memorial College first XV, Taranaki age-group sides and Wests.

"I quite enjoy it. I'm not a huge speaker I like to lead from the front more than anything."

Fuglistaller said Joseph had told the forwards to engage the opposition pack and quell their initial fire before setting their backline talent alight.

Hurricanes wing David Smith could run riot if conditions suit while there will be interest in the performance of rookie midfielders Charlie Ngatai and Alipati Leiua, as well as fullback Jason Woodward, who will kick goals.

Joseph admitted the presence of the shield and television cameras could be a burden for such a young team, but would still encourage them to attack with flair.

"That's the question mark I guess, it can be a burden. That's why we're approaching it with the philosophy of maintaining our attack and having an attacking frame of mind as opposed to a defending frame of mind."

Presuming Wellington win, the Lions visit Wanganui in another shield challenge next week and round off their preseason against Manawatu before Joseph names his Air New Zealand Cup squad.

With Junior All Blacks and Super 14 players trickling back, there are few jerseys up for grabs.

Motivation is high.

"They want to become professional rugby players and make a living," Joseph said. "No-one knew who Dane Coles was until about a year ago and now he's a Super 14 player. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these players pop up in Colin Cooper's Hurricanes team at the end of the year."

HOW THEY LINE UP 

Wellington: Jason Woodward, Apoua Stewart, Alipati Leiua, Charlie Ngatai, David Smith, Fa'atonu Fili, Anthony Bradshaw, Matthew Luamanu, Scott Fuglistaller (c), Kaipati Gaualofa, Mark Reddish, Chris Middleton, Arden David-Perrott, Motu Matu'u, Adrian Barone. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Anthony Perenise, Api Naikatini, Masefau Leuluniu, Tomasi Palu, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Shaun Treeby.

Wairarapa-Bush: Jason Kjestrup, Nick Olson, Heemi Tupaea, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Watene, Byron Karaitiana, Zeb Aporo, Duncan Law, Jared Hawkins, Joss Tua-Davidson, Brandon Young, Andrew McLean, Kurt Simmonds (c), Willie Leota, Nick Beavon. Reserves: Richard Puddy, Brett Rudman, Nathan Rolls, Joe Feast, Nick Risdon, Tommy Harmon, Rupeni Temani. T

AB: Wellington N/A, Wairarapa-Bush win or draw $100

TV: Live on the Rugby Channel

THE SHIELD DEFENCE

Last season: v Tasman, won 26-20 at Westpac Stadium This season: Today v Wairarapa-Bush, Memorial Park, Masterton, 3.05pm kickoff; July 9 v Wanganui, Cooks Gardens, Wanganui; Air New Zealand Cup defences (all games at Westpac Stadium): July 31 v Otago; August 22 v Auckland; August 29 v Canterbury; September 24 v Southland; October 3 v Manawatu; October 17 v North Harbour

THREE OF THE BEST MEMORABLE SHIELD UPSETS 1973

Marlborough stun Canterbury in a 13-6 victory and famously decorate Canterbury captain Grizz Wylie's farm gate with toilet paper on the way home. 1993: Ian Foster scores the only try as Waikato break Auckland's incredible 61-game, eight-year reign with a 17-6 upset. 2004: Bay of Plenty lift the shield for the first time in their 103-year history, shocking Auckland 33-28.

- © Fairfax NZ News