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Bay of Plenty sniff history: 'Times might have changed, the Shield hasn’t'
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Bay of Plenty has a sorry Ranfurly Shield record with only two wins in 25 matches stretching back more than a century.
The only successful challenge the Steamers have mounted for the Log o’ Wood was on August 15, 2004. Glen Jackson scored in all four ways, bagging 23 points as the challengers stunned defending NPC champions Auckland 33-28 in the opening round of the 2004 season at Eden Park.
On Saturday, 22 years to the day after that success, Bay of Plenty will challenge NPC champions Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield at Te Kaha, One New Zealand Stadium.
Canterbury won the Shield from Otago 19-15 in Dunedin on Sunday. Bay of Plenty, after a shocking 38-26 loss to start the 2026 NPC in Hamilton where they were down 35-0 at halftime, edged past Northland 34-31 in Rotorua last weekend.
No.8 Nikora Broughton celebrated his 50th match against the Taniwha, charging over for two tries and making the most carries (23) and metres (111) for the hosts. He added 11 tackles and four lineout catches in a consistent display that shows why he’s started 27 NPC games in a row and ranks in the top 20 for tackles and carries over that period.
“We’ve had some visits and messages from members of the 2004 team. It’s pretty inspirational. Times might have changed, the Shield hasn’t.” Broughton told RugbyPass.
“We know what type of team Canterbury is: tough and consistent. We’re focusing on playing our game. We know the calibre of players we have are good enough; it’s just a matter of being true to ourselves and delivering on the day.”
In the past five years, Bay of Plenty have reached the NPC semi-finals three times, and in 2024 were runners-up to Wellington after a final that lasted 100 minutes, decided in extra time by a Callum Harkin penalty, 23-20. Broughton made 18 tackles and 17 carries in an immense effort.
Broughton debuted for Bay of Plenty in 2021 and scored a try in a 31-11 win over Southland in Invercargill. A 33-32 win over Wellington later that season was a highlight. In 2022 he featured in 10 Steamers matches with notable wins over Taranaki (46-6), Auckland (21-17), Hawke’s Bay (20-14), and Waikato (34-27), catching the attention of the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific, for whom Broughton has played 31 times since 2023.
Bay of Plenty came close to NPC glory in 2024, losing the aforementioned final to Wellington after a convincing 32-20 win over Canterbury in the semi at Mount Maunganui. Cruelly, they lost to Wellington 30-25 in extra time in the round robin too, with now All Blacks halfback Kyle Preston scoring the winning try as a replacement.
Broughton has won 31 of his Steamers matches, but significant silverware has remained elusive. That is the tale of woe for much of Bay of Plenty’s Ranfurly Shield history.
In 1922 a missed conversion from virtually in front of the posts at full time meant a 17–16 loss to Hawke’s Bay. All Black Viv Wilson scored a try under the posts right on full time that, if converted, would have won the game. Fellow All Black Les McLean, although a good goal-kicker and already successful in the match, gave the kick to another player who promptly missed it. Hawke’s Bay won 17-16 and began their golden run of 24 defences until 1927.
In 1984 Bay of Plenty led Canterbury 10–0 before losing 18–13. Bay of Plenty thought prop Peter Kennedy (101 matches) had scored near the end, but referee Geoff Smith disagreed. Television replays were inconclusive and there was no provision for referring decisions to them. Kennedy told the New Zealand Herald in 2004.
“I bloody well know I stretched out and got the ball down on the tryline but (Bruce) Deans (and lock Albert Anderson) dived in and pushed the ball back. With the crowd virtually on the sideline, by the time the ref got around he didn’t want to see it…It’s always been too much for me and I’ve felt like I was a bad omen on the team or something. Every time we had a challenge I’d leave the house or find something else to do.”
In 1996 Bay of Plenty led Auckland 29-11 with eight minutes to go. Auckland clawed the deficit back to six and with time almost up Bay of Plenty fed a scrum but conceded a tighthead. Matt Carrington (a product of Bay of Plenty) scored in the corner. When he landed the conversion from the sideline, Auckland won an unlikely 30–29 victory.
In 2021 Bay of Plenty lost to Hawke’s Bay 36-33 in the first Ranfurly Shield match decided in golden point extra time. Magpies ten Tiaan Falcon kicked a penalty with rookie Broughton watching on from the sideline.
His father Norm Broughton played 59 games in midfield for Wellington. In 1995, in Christchurch, he was part of a Wellington side that was humiliated by Canterbury, 66-17.
“You can’t start slow against anyone, you’ve got to fire early shots,” Broughton said when asked about avoiding self-doubt.
“Personally I’m striving for greater consistency. It was special to get to 50 games for Bay of Plenty. My family was there. Watty (coach Richard Watt) presented me with my jersey and had some nice words to say. I hope I can keep living up to that.”
Watt played for Wellington and Poenke, jousting many times against Norm Broughton, a five-time Jubilee Cup winner at Marist St Pats. Watt paid tribute to Nikora.
“Nikora is outstanding on both sides. He’s strong, athletic and consistent. The best is yet to come.”
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