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How Northland fans assisted Counties to snatching the Ranfurly Shield
Sport Nation • September 28th, 2026 12:56 pm
Counties Manukau celebrate winning thee Ranfurly Shield | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
Counties Manukau vice-captain Adam Brash believes chants from Northland’s home crowd helped his 12th-ranked side stun the favoured Taniwha and claim the Ranfurly Shield in Whangārei on Saturday.
While Tani-fans chanted "blue", Counties made it a cue of their own, with the word becoming a call designed to help Counties team reset and lock in.
“We had a call which was called ‘blue’, which is like a blue mindset, so every time the crowd said ‘blue’ it kind of just like told us to lock in,” Brash told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
Counties Manukau vice-captain Adam Brash celebrates with Gibson Popoali'i after claiming the Ranfurly Shield | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
Despite the upset in an underwhelming season, Brash said Counties had continued to believe in their ability.
“We've obviously underperformed a little bit this season but we’ve always believed we had it in us.
“We had nothing to lose to be fair, so we just went up there and played freely.”
That approach was tested in a difficult first half. Playing into the wind, Counties spent long stretches defending, but kept Northland within reach.
“That first half we were absolutely under the pump, mate. I think we defended probably that whole last 20 minutes of the half.
“Quite a few of our boys just made some genuine try-savers.”
With Counties going into halftime trailing 14-5, Brash said staying in the contest gave the team confidence, especially with the wind behind them after the break.
“I think if we went into the sheds and we were down 21-5, it would have been a completely different game. But going in 14-5 and then having that wind in the second half, I think filled us with a fair bit of confidence.”
Counties rub salt in Sumo's wound with Shield celebrations | Scotty & Izzy
Now Counties face another challenge of beating fourth-ranked Hawke’s Bay in their final regular season match to keep the Shield in Pukekohe over the summer.
“I think during the week we've just got to like embrace everything that comes, just be where our feet are.
“Obviously, Hawke's Bay, they're in a position where they'll be really desperate as well. They're a quality side and I've had a couple pretty off weeks.”
The fixture also brings back memories for the 27-year-old.
“My first shield game was actually my second game of the NPC against Hawke's Bay, and they were beating us 24-5, and then we came back and brought it back to 33-31, and we just lost that, so it would be nice to get them back in a shield game.”
Listen to the full interview below:
