15 October 2004

Hon Jim Anderton, MP for Wigram, Progressive Leader

Canterbury challenged to break with tradition and put up the shield for semi-final

Canterbury should break with tradition and put the Ranfurly Shield on the line in tomorrow's NPC semi-final against the Bay of Plenty, Jim Anderton, the Canterbury based MP and Progressive Leader says.

Jim Anderton was speaking in Kawerau at a major regional initiative launch of a centre of excellence for maintenance engineering, and said "it's a home game for Canterbury against a first division side and so would normally be an automatic shield match.

The whole country was inspired by Wayne Ormond and the Bay of Plenty fairy tale this year.

"The shield has a rich heritage and Canterbury would enhance both it and it's own standing if it gave the Bay of Plenty the opportunity to win back the log tomorrow night at Jade Stadium.

"I call on Canterbury to defend the shield with honour and create a new tradition for courage and enterprise as a defender of the Ranfurly Shield. The Bay of Plenty rugby team deserves such a magnanimous gesture," Jim Anderton said.

ENDS

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