Skinner
Coach
- Messages
- 13,581
First time I've been excited about Union since I played the bloody game in Invercargill.
From :
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/2992461/Southlands-Ranfurly-Shield-drought-ends
"Is it over, is it over?"
An incredulous David Henderson sat numbed in the Southland coaching box last night as the final whistle blew at AMI Stadium and 50 years of Ranfurly Shield disappointment came to an end with a thud like a seismic event.
Henderson, the epitome of a Southland rugby forward, could barely believe what the Stags had done, even as the night erupted into one of the biggest celebrations maroon rugby has seen in half a century.
"I'm just so proud of the boys," Henderson said.
"We were under the pump and we just dug deep. It wasn't attractive rugby but they showed a lot of heart."
At halftime Southland rated themselves a chance with the wind behind them, Henderson said.
"I think we grew as the game went on. I think that penalty in the corner, when Robbie put that over there was a lot of belief, at six points ahead, that we could do it."
Henderson could hardly comprehend the full extent of last night's victory as the team poured into the changing room. "It's a bit numbing. It's unbelievable."
Skipper Jamie Mackintosh was also struggling to put his feelings into words.
"It hasn't sunk in yet. That defence was awesome.
"I think it just comes down to being good mates. We'll remember this for the rest of our lives. It's the most unreal thing we'll probably ever do."
Mackintosh did not fully believe the Stags were going to get there until the final whistle.
"I knew Canterbury would keep attacking. They can score tries at any time. When the hooter went and we kicked it out, that's when I knew."
The big prop said he couldn't wait to get home with the Shield and show it off to the province.
A rowdy pocket of Southland maroon and gold made its presence felt in the ground's South stand and around AMI Stadium.
Several hundred Stags supporters were clearly gaining an edge over the 10,000 Cantabrians in attendance, particularly after Robbie Robinson's second penalty gave the Stags a 6-3 lead.
On the sideline, All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan, who was carrying the water bottles for the team, was living every moment like a hammer blow.
"I would rather have been out there. I'm so proud of the way the boys played. You could feel something special building for the last three weeks and to deliver like that ... We had all the old fellas from 59 in the changing room this week. It's for them."
The Southland team arrives at Invercargill Airport at 11.30am no doubt to one of the most raucous receptions Southland rugby has seen in some time.
From :
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/2992461/Southlands-Ranfurly-Shield-drought-ends
"Is it over, is it over?"
An incredulous David Henderson sat numbed in the Southland coaching box last night as the final whistle blew at AMI Stadium and 50 years of Ranfurly Shield disappointment came to an end with a thud like a seismic event.
Henderson, the epitome of a Southland rugby forward, could barely believe what the Stags had done, even as the night erupted into one of the biggest celebrations maroon rugby has seen in half a century.
"I'm just so proud of the boys," Henderson said.
"We were under the pump and we just dug deep. It wasn't attractive rugby but they showed a lot of heart."
At halftime Southland rated themselves a chance with the wind behind them, Henderson said.
"I think we grew as the game went on. I think that penalty in the corner, when Robbie put that over there was a lot of belief, at six points ahead, that we could do it."
Henderson could hardly comprehend the full extent of last night's victory as the team poured into the changing room. "It's a bit numbing. It's unbelievable."
Skipper Jamie Mackintosh was also struggling to put his feelings into words.
"It hasn't sunk in yet. That defence was awesome.
"I think it just comes down to being good mates. We'll remember this for the rest of our lives. It's the most unreal thing we'll probably ever do."
Mackintosh did not fully believe the Stags were going to get there until the final whistle.
"I knew Canterbury would keep attacking. They can score tries at any time. When the hooter went and we kicked it out, that's when I knew."
The big prop said he couldn't wait to get home with the Shield and show it off to the province.
A rowdy pocket of Southland maroon and gold made its presence felt in the ground's South stand and around AMI Stadium.
Several hundred Stags supporters were clearly gaining an edge over the 10,000 Cantabrians in attendance, particularly after Robbie Robinson's second penalty gave the Stags a 6-3 lead.
On the sideline, All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan, who was carrying the water bottles for the team, was living every moment like a hammer blow.
"I would rather have been out there. I'm so proud of the way the boys played. You could feel something special building for the last three weeks and to deliver like that ... We had all the old fellas from 59 in the changing room this week. It's for them."
The Southland team arrives at Invercargill Airport at 11.30am no doubt to one of the most raucous receptions Southland rugby has seen in some time.
