It's appalling that SKY aren't showing this. Does anybody know a site that has updates on scores etc.?

So Sky should show all the bullshit pre-season Ranfurly Shield games? I think not...

They always have done up until this point, and the Ranfurly Shield is one of the most prestigious rugby titles in the country-arguably more prestigious than an ITM Cup title. Given we have a dedicated rugby channel, there's really no excuse.

Considering they are just replaying the semi's for the 10th time this week, yes they should.

I agree that they should play these games, because I think a lot of rugby watching New Zealanders are interested in watching courageous Heartland sides pit themselves against superior ITM Cup sides.

Sides like Whanganui always impress me with their skills, considering the fact that like most senior club sides they practice twice a week after work, before meeting the might of sides like Taranaki on the weekend. Fair play, lads.

Another advantage is that you see the up and comers from the regions tests themselves against older and better players, which in turn will make them better players.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/7415470/Ranfurly-shield-game-updates

11-0 halftime Taranaki.

It's not like Sky are stretched for resources this week, either. There's only two rugby matches and one league game they need to broadcast. No netball or regular season Super Rugby games. It's very quiet on the home front.

Fuck that is impressive. From Whanganui.

Incidentally, a mate at the game has posted on Facebook that the Naki are only 8-0 up five minutes out from halftime.

Whanganui have easily the best record of the NZ minnows against the "top" sides. In the days surrounding Western Samoa's record 131-0 win against Marlborough in the 90s Whanganui brought the tourists crashing back to earth with a 0-30 or so loss, despite playing in the same division as the hapless Marlborough. If my memory serves me correctly, a Samoan defender wrecked his shoulder in the same game effecting a try-saving tackle on that flying prop John Hainsworth, a Whanganui veteran who terrorised many a lower division backline.

King Country thrashed Whanganui a couple of weeks ago too, 32-5 or something like that, so that makes this score even more amazing.

Whanganui is impressive in the fact that it really takes it to the big teams. I'm a Mid Canterbury man, and while we have enjoyed the historical win or two over the likes of Canterbury, Whanganui is the team that really chucks it at the big boys these days and I admire them for it.

This...Dad will no doubt have a foot in each camp, like a soutpiel but with bush instead of salt...a bospiel?

Go The Naki!

Would listen in but getting nothing but mute on the NZ radio stations right now...gone back to the awesome 102.1 FM sounds of The Edge Toronto. Go the Nui!

C'mon Whanganui! C'MON MY HEARTLAND SONS!!!!!!! MAKE HISTORY!!!!!

Any cunt got a score?

51-7 final score.

Well done, Taranaki.

Ah well, same result as our other 27 challenges... *sigh*

Sounds like we kicked into gear in the second half. Going on the half time score sounds like Whanganui played some good rugby

Brave score from Whanganui and about right given the relative strengths of the two teams. I can't see any games between Heartland and ITM Cup sides being any closer.

Nice one, Butcher Boys.

Cheers, jdog. Wasn't expecting anything better, tbh. How are the Hammers shaping up for the Heartland this year?

Not too sure. In the old days you could have set your winter watch to Mid Canterbury fielding a tough-as-teak wannabe Southland-in-disguise forward pack allied to an out of aligned and defensively weak teenage backline.

These days our backline benefits from so many athletic Tongans and Samoans working in the local meatworks, but I'm not so sure we have the same old class up front. It's almost as though our former strength has become a weakness.

still early in season and need to get combos right..hence slow start.

I listened live stream on radiosport..phil Quinn still doing commentary..

didn't both teams play every year until recently?

Hahaha, fuck YOU SECRET AGENT MAN!

WE FUCKED YOU UP!

NAKI HARDCORE BRO!

50 POINTS!

YOU WON'T SHIT RIGHT FOR A WEEK!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!