Taranaki wins the Ranfurly Shield, 1957

Taranaki wins the Ranfurly Shield, 1957

Taranaki captain and No. 8 Peter Burke celebrates taking the Ranfurly Shield off Otago in 1957.

Otago had been favourites to retain the shield and many were surprised by Taranaki's 11-9 victory. Otago led 9-0 before the 'amber and blacks' staged their comeback. At the end of the match Otago coach Charlie Saxton told Burke that 'the better team lost'. Burke made the obvious retort: 'Charlie, you can say what you like, we've got the shield.'

Taranaki defended the shield for 13 games before losing 23-6 to Southland in September 1959.

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