Canterbury Chase Ranfurly Shield Record

Canterbury will have All Blacks hooker George Bell back on deck but must do without captain Cullen Grace when they challenge Southland for the Ranfurly Shield in Invercargill on Saturday.

Bell is set for his first NPC appearance of the season after recovering from injury, but Grace’s campaign is over following a knee setback against Manawatū. Lock Sam Darry, currently training with the All Blacks, is also unavailable.

Flanker Tom Christie will wear the captain’s armband as Canterbury, unbeaten so far this season, look to claim the Shield for a record 17th time, moving clear of Auckland’s tally of 16. Christie is one of several players in the squad with previous Shield success, having been part of the 2019 triumph over Otago. Prop Daniel Lienert-Brown and midfielder Dallas McLeod also boast title-winning experience.

Veteran fullback Johnny McNicholl is another absentee, paving the way for Andrew Knewstubb to start at 15, while Crusaders winger Chay Fihaki returns on the right wing. Corey Kellow shifts to No. 8 to cover for Grace, joining Christie and Dominic Gardiner in the loose trio. First-choice halves Louie Chapman and James White are also restored to the starting side.

Southland, defending the Shield for the first time since 2011, have made two changes. Paula Latu replaces the injured Hunter Fahey at loosehead prop, while Byron Smith comes in at first five-eighth. Captain Sean Withy leads a squad determined to extend their reign after prising the Log o’ Wood from Waikato.

With history on the line for Canterbury and Southland desperate to hold firm, Saturday’s clash promises to be a classic Ranfurly Shield battle.