Manawatu could break a 39-year drought when they take on Ranfurly shield holders Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium tonight.
It's the oldest provincial rugby contest in the country. Manawatu last held the Ranfurly Shield in the late 70s and they could end the long run without the Log O' Wood tonight when they play the holders Taranaki.
Taranaki claimed the Shield from Canterbury at the weekend in a 55-43 win.
Taranaki celebrate with the Ranfurly Shield. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kevin Barrett, former Taranaki player and father to All Blacks Scott, Beauden and Jordie, knows what it's like to win the Shield against the big city boys.
"There's 10 years there I trotted up to Auckland on about three occasions ... as Auckland did with a lot of teams ... they had 13 or 15 All Blacks.
"They put us away in the last 20 minutes as they did a lot of teams.
"When we won it in '96 it was awesome."
The Shield was special, he said.
"A lot of All Blacks can play 50, 100 games but they've never actually won the shield, they don't know that feeling of winning that Shield. Some guys never get the opportunity to play and some guys never get the opportunity to hold it up."
He said Manawatu have had a couple of wins and had a bit of form.
"I'll get the cows milked and shoot on through [to the game], yeah."
Taranaki Rugby Supporters Club president Grant Hassall said eager supporters arrived early at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.
"The last report I had there was over 8000 tickets already sold."
The game starts at 7.35pm.