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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Counties Manukau beat Hawke’s Bay 12–7 in Pukekohe on 3 October 2026 to retain the Ranfurly Shield. After leading 12–0 at halftime, Counties failed to add to its score and had to withstand a late Hawke’s Bay push.
How Counties Manukau held on
Counties scored through tries by Adam Brash and Melani Matavao, building a 12–0 lead by halftime. Neither side added points until Hawke’s Bay struck in the second half: Folau Fakatava’s dummy pass created the opening for Darby Lancaster to score. The try cut the margin to five, but Counties protected its lead through the closing attacks.
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Counties captain Jimmy Tupou left injured in the 53rd minute. After the match, he told Sky Sport: “I don’t think we could have won that game any better way.”
What retaining the Shield means
The match at Navigation Homes Stadium was Counties Manukau’s first defence since taking the Shield from Northland 22–19 the previous weekend. The win leaves the trophy in Pukekohe for the offseason.
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Donated by the Earl of Ranfurly in 1902, the Ranfurly Shield is a challenge trophy whose place in provincial rugby gives matches for it particular local importance.
Counties and Hawke’s Bay’s Shield history
Counties first won the Shield by beating Hawke’s Bay 27–24 in Napier in September 2013. It then made six successful defences before Hawke’s Bay reclaimed the trophy in August 2014.
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- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
Those earlier exchanges are distinct from the 2026 result: Counties entered this match as holder after beating Northland, and its victory over Hawke’s Bay began its current Shield tenure with a successful defence.
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What the result means for Hawke’s Bay’s season
Hawke’s Bay had opened its 2026 NPC campaign 6–0. The defeat left the side fifth and meant it would not host a quarterfinal. Counties’ season ended with the Shield secured.
Rank #3
- Featuring Gilbert's newly patented Triangular surface grip pattern, the G-TR4000 represents a major step forward in grip technology on training balls. more defined pattern is hard wearing and allows the player more surface area contact with the ball when handling.
- All Gilbert balls are hand stitched to ensure quality and care. All balls will ship deflated.
- Hydratec technical fabrics and waterproof laminations have been installed to enhance the life and performance of the ball.
- A 3 ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panel means that the ball will weigh slightly more, perform better on longer kicks and passes, and generally hold it's shape better than a ball of 2 ply construction
- Prior to training or match, use a soft cloth, light detergent and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. This ensures that the grip remains in prime condition for maximum length of time.
Historical records in perspective
For context beyond this match, Rugby Heartland lists Auckland’s 61 consecutive defences from 1985 to 1993 as the Shield record. It also lists Hawke’s Bay’s shortest tenure as six days in 2013. These historical marks describe earlier Shield runs, not the quality of either side in this fixture.
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- TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED: A durable rugby practice ball you and your rugby team can trust. Featuring Gilbert's newly patented triangular surface grip pattern, the G-TR4000 represents a major step forward in grip technology on training rugby balls. Tests have shown that this new, more defined pattern is hard wearing and allows the rugby player more surface area contact with the ball when handling.
- AS TOUGH AS YOU: Thanks to its proprietary hydratec technical fabrics and waterproof laminations, the Gilbert rugby ball handles even the roughest conditions, enhancing the life and performance of the ball. Gilbert knows what it takes to produce top quality youth rugby, and adult rugby balls, that will last multiple seasons of heavy use.
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Preparing for a rugby game is serious business. Our size 5 rugby ball, as well as our size 3 and 4 size rugby ball for kids, feature a 3-ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panels. This means that our balls will weigh slightly more, perform better on longer kicks and passes, and generally hold its shape better than a ball of 2-ply construction.
- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
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