Counties Manukau win Ranfurly Shield in upset against Northland

Counties Manukau have won the Ranfurly Shield after defeating Northland 22-19 at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei on Saturday. The victory marks only the second time in the province's history that the Steelers have held the Log o' Wood. A penalty goal kicked by AJ Alatimu in the 79th minute secured the win for the visitors.

Northland led 14-5 at halftime following tries from Sam Nock and James Ramm, with Rivez Reihana converting both. Counties responded in the second half with tries from Gibson Popoali'i and Adam Morrison. Although Corey Evans scored for Northland in the 62nd minute, a missed conversion by Reihana left the score at 19-12. Alatimu then levelled the scores with a conversion before his decisive penalty.

Counties Manukau will defend the shield against Hawke's Bay next Saturday at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe. While the Steelers are not in the NPC playoffs, the win was described by captain Jimmy Tupou as "extra special". Northland's loss has seen them drop from first to third on the NPC ladder.

The match was the first time these two unions had met in a Ranfurly Shield contest. The win for Counties Manukau follows their previous shield success in 2013.

How it developed

• Sat 26 Sep, 9:26pmThe report details the specific changes to the NPC leaderboard, noting North Harbour moved to first place and Canterbury moved to second.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff, 1News, The Post and RNZ.