Ranfurly Shield in 2009
Date Holder Score Challenger Venue Attendance
2 July Wellington 90 - 19 Wairarapa Bush Memorial Park , Masterton 5,000
9 July Wellington 61 - 6 Wanganui Cook 's Gardens , Wanganui unknown
31 July Wellington 23 - 19 Otago Westpac Stadium , Wellington 11,261
22 August Wellington 16 - 15 Auckland Westpac Stadium , Wellington 13,466
29 August Wellington 14 - 36 Canterbury Westpac Stadium , Wellington 18,511
12 September Canterbury 36 - 16 Otago AMI Stadium , Christchurch 16,500
18 September Canterbury 29 - 17 Taranaki AMI Stadium , Christchurch 8,800
26 September Canterbury 31 - 21 Northland AMI Stadium , Christchurch unknown
9 October Canterbury 50 - 26 Manawatu AMI Stadium , Christchurch unknown
22 October Canterbury 3 - 9 Southland AMI Stadium , Christchurch 10,500
Fixtures
The Ranfurly Shield went through 10 challenges in the 2009 season, changing hands twice, and was held by Southland at the conclusion of the season. Wellington started off their 2009 Ranfurly Shield campaign with easy wins over Heartland teams Wairarapa Bush (90-19) and Wanganui (61-6). Wellington had their first challenge against an Air New Zealand Cup team when they defeated Otago on 31 July by 23 points to 19. Their second challenge was on 22 August against Auckland, winning 16 points to 15. Wellington's last game as owner of the shield was on 29 August, a 36-14 loss to Canterbury. Canterbury's first challenge of the season was against southern foes Otago; they won the game on 12 September 36 points to 16. They beat Taranaki 29 points to 17 to defend it for the second time. Northland were next to challenge for the shield, but couldn't pull off the upset, losing 31-21. Canterbury's fourth challenge of the season was won comfortably 50 points to 26. In their fifth and final challenge of the season, Canterbury lost the Ranfurly Shield to Southland on 22 October 9 points to 3. Southland would not have their first challenge until the following year.