It's RANFURLY SHIELD time

Wellington Lions dominate Ranfurly Shield challengers

By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post | 3:52PM - Thursday, 02 July 2009

It took just three minutes for Wellington to quell any thought of a Wairarapa-Bush uprising, swamping the Ranfurly Shield challengers 45-7 at halftime at Masterton's Memorial Park this afternoon.

The gulf in class between the Air New Zealand Cup and Heartland Championship sides was yawning, despite Wellington sending a B-team over the hill.

The Lions were completely dominant in all areas, the minutes on the clock struggling to keep up with the first half points scoring, six Wellington tries to one.

Wairarapa-Bush haven't held the Ranfurly Shield since 1950 and it didn't take long for the floodgates to open, Hurricanes wing David Smith crossing in just the third minute.

Smith was the benefactor of second-five Charlie Ngatai's midfield bust, Ngatai linking with impressive New Zealand under-20 centre Shaun Treeby who found his flying wing in support.

Rookie fullback Jason Woodward was next to cross, supporting right wing Alipati Leiua, whose pace and footwork rival Smith's.

Then it was the forwards' turn to get in on the act, No 8 Matt Luamanu and hooker Motu Matu'u both handling in lock Mark Reddish's try.

Halfback Anthony Bradshaw then scooted clear from a ruck to give Wellington a 31-0 lead after just 20 minutes.

Wellington's other lock, Chris Middleton, continued the onslaught with another five-pointer after the Lions shunted the Bush scrum backwards.

Bradshaw then crossed for a brace, backing up a Treeby counter-attack.

Wellington captain Scott Fuglistaller at least gave the colourful home crowd of about 5000 something to cheer about when he bombed a first half try-scoring chance by passing to the touch judge.

Bush No 8 Duncan Law later ensured he wouldn't be paying for a drink this year, skipping through some flimsy defence off the back of the scrum to open the home side's account.

It is Wellington's second defence of the shield after edging Tasman 26-20 last year.

The Lions made one change to their starting side before kick-off, Treeby replacing Apoua Stewart, with Leiua moved from centre to the wing.

A minute's silence was observed before kick-off to mark the recent passing of Robert Guildford, father of Hurricane Zac Guildford.

Halftime Scoreboard: Wellington 45 (David Smith, Jason Woodward, Mark Reddish, Anthony Bradshaw 2, Chris Middleton tries; Fa'atonu Fili penalty, 6 conversions); Wairarapa-Bush 7 (Duncan Law try; Byron Karaitiana conversion).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/local-sport/2559916/Wellington-Lions-dominate-Ranfurly-Shield-challengers