Ash Dixon and the Magpies are feeling pretty darn good right now – after a victory against Canterbury at Farmers Day in McLean Park, the team had the opportunity to challenge Otago for the Ranfurly Shield. In the true style of the iconic sticky-fingered bird, the Magpies came home with more than they left – the shiny, silver Ranfurly Shield.

Magpies v Canterbury – Farmers Day

A fulltime siren try secured by captain Ash Dixon secured the Magpies a 20-19 Mitre 10 Cup win over Canterbury at McLean Park on September 26^th. Kitted out in a special one-off jersey to support the Hawkes Bay rural community facing adversity off the back of one of Hawke’s Bay’s worst-ever droughts, over 5,000 fans celebrated the end of a different dry spell. The Magpies had not beaten Canterbury since 1982 – with sixteen losses and two draws between then and now. After a first-up loss to Southland, the team looks to be well and truly back on track to the top of the championship standings.

Read the full press release: PRJerseysHBRU

Magpies v Otago – Ranfurly Shield Challenge

The Ranfurly Shield has another new home after the Magpies swooped to steal it from Otago last Sunday. Otago won the Log O’ Wood in Taranaki just one week before the Magpie ventured south for their game against Otago – with the opportunity to defend against their first challengers, Northland, on October 16^th.

At a Glance – Adapted from Magpies App (https://www.sporty.co.nz/hbrugby/Home-1/Magpies-Rugby-App)