Otago rugby souvenir programme, 1948

Souvenir programme from the Otago Rugby Football Union ball held at the Dunedin Town Hall, 12 November 1948. The event was organised to celebrate the Otago rugby team's successful defence of the Ranfurly Shield that season.   

Otago and their near neighbours, Southland dominated shield rugby between 1936 and 1949. Otago's golden shield era on either side of the Second World War consisted of three separate tenures. Having defeated Canterbury in the last challenge of 1935, the blue and golds defended the shield eight times in 1936 before losing to Southland in the only shield game of 1937. Revenge was gained in the first challenge of 1938, but a five-match streak was halted by Southland in September. Following another victory over Southland in 1947 Otago held the shield for a union record of 18 defences before losing to Canterbury in 1950.