In the world domestic rugby landscape, some of the oldest tournaments have taken a back seat to modern, multi-nation trophies like Super 14 and the Heineken Cup, with many of the best players rarely turning out for their clubs or provinces.

The Currie Cup, South Africa’s premier trophy, has origins as far back as 1889. The elite French domestic competition, known as the Top 14, first contested their final in 1892. But the Ranfurly Shield – the famous Log o’Wood – is not based on league or knockout games seen in the bulk of competitions. There are basic rules regarding the challenge of the Shield – now with over 100 years of history – the main one being that  the holder must defend the shield when at home.

Wellington's ELEVENTH challenge for the Log o' Wood since 1982 finally ended in a  crushing 27-0 defeat of Auckland on Saturday. Auckland, the current Air New Zealand champions and now former shield holders, have been a fading force this season and are at risk of finishing outside the quarter-finals.

The Lions will defend the shield against Tasman in their last home game of the season, but as the Log o’ Wood is not up for grabs during finals, they will most likely end the year as holders of New Zealand’s most famous domestic rugby trophy.

Wellington could finish the season with that most prized of domestic trebles – league champions, Ranfurly Shield holders and going through the whole campaign undefeated.

They have always been a strong province, always with a healthy representation of All Blacks and known as a flamboyant if not overly structured team. But, for all their strength (the 2006 team featured 10 Test players in the starting 15), they have often played second fiddle to the powerhouses of Canterbury and Auckland.

However, this year is uniquely different. Jamie Joseph, the Lions’ coach, has his team playing an enthralling brand of rugby which, if maintained, could be the beginning of a Wellington dynasty.

If one wished to describe a perfect rugby machine, one would do well to look at the fearsome unit that is the 2008 Wellington Lions. They have won eight from eight this season, winning every game with a four-try bonus point and scoring close to 40 points per game. They are the best attacking team in the competition by some 90 points and second only to Canterbury as the best defensive operation. Their points differential is a staggering +201, nearly EIGHTY points better than any other team!

With just Tasman (8th) and Otago (7th) left to play, they will likely finish the regular season with a perfect 10 from 10. Taking home advantage through the finals, it will require a unique effort from a team to deny them the title. On current form, only Canterbury have any level of arsenal to derail the awesome beast that Wellington have become.

The team from the capital have no obvious weaknesses. Their tight five is strong at the set-pieces being buttressed by All Black Neemia Tialata, but they also display sublime handling skills not usually seen by the “fatties”. Lock Jeremy Thrush has been superb this season, and with New Zealand’s international locking stocks low he should be a certainty for the end-of-year tour. 

The Wellington back row showcases the new breed of flankers emerging from the New Zealand academy systems – highlighted by Victor Vito – but is backed by the experience of former international Chris Masoe.

Wellington captain Weepu is in the form of his life, backed by an All Black recall, and with a backline controlled by an intelligent midfield of Tamati Ellison and Tane Tu’ipulotu (who both played with former All Black captain Tana Umaga) there is little to stop the Lions juggernaut.

With finishers Hosea Gear and Cory Jane in the three-quarter line – again, both men are likely to be considered for All Black berths – there is much promise for the new era for Wellington rugby to begin.

Further to this, rested All Blacks Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Rodney So’oialo will all be available to the province in the coming weeks, although coach Jamie Joseph may be loathe to tinker with what is fast becoming an unbeatable team.

CURRENT TABLE (as of September 14)

Pos

 Team
 P
 W
 D
 L
 F
 A
 Bonus
 Pts
1.
 Wellington
 8
 8
 0
 0
 306
 105
 8
 40
2.
 Canterbury
 8
 7
 0
 1
 214
 88
 5
 33
3.
 Hawke's Bay
 8
 6
 0
 2
 212
 140
 5
 29
4.
 Southland
 8
 5
 0
 3
 157
 103
 4
 24
5.
 Bay of Plenty
 8
 5
 0
 3
 189
 181
 4
 24
6.
 Taranaki
 8
 4
 0
 4
 147
 151
 3
 19
7.
 Otago
 8
 3
 1
 4
 161
 171
 3
 17
8.
 Tasman
 8
 3
 1
 4
 132
 167
 3
 17
9.
 Auckland
 8
 4
 0
 4
 107
 150
 1
 17
10.
 Waikato
 8
 2
 1
 5
 176
 184
 4
 14
11.
 North Harbour
 7
 2
 0
 5
 122
 194
 4
 12
12.
 Counties M'kau
 8
 2
 0
 6
 99
 247
 2
 10
13.
 Northland
 7
 1
 0
 6
 111
 165
 4
 8
14.
 Manawatu
 8
 1
 1
 6
 131
 189
 2
 8

Likely quarter-finals
(1) Wellington V (8) Tasman
(2) Canterbury V (7) Auckland
(3) Hawkes Bay V (6) Otago
(4) Bay of Plenty V (8) Southland