First Chance of points is missed by The Stags as Scot Eade's penalty has the legs but not the direction and goes wide.

Tama Umaga never liked losing as a player so he will not want his Counties side leaving here tonight without the Ranfury Shield on board the team bus.

We underway here in this eagerly anticipated Shield match and Southland have started the better and have a good bit of possesstion.

Hi and welcome to Ultimate Rugby's live coverage of the ITM Cup match between Counties Manukau and Southland. This game will also decide who will get to keep the Ranfurly Shield for the Summer. With Counties winning it last year they will do everything they can to retain it. Apart from who will get to bring home the shield. Southland will need victory to confirm they're spot in the semi's while Counties cannot be moved from fourth in the table and will face Wellington in next weeks ITM Cup semi-final at Westpac Stadium.

Get up the stags