Manukau Rovers have claimed back-to-back Gallaher Shield titles after defeating Auckland University Rugby Club 20 - 14 in the Auckland Rugby Premier Club final at Waitematā Rugby Club on Saturday 22 July.

The South Auckland based side was cheered on by hundreds of supporters, including an extraordinary 22 bus-loads of fans from its home ground in Mangere, as they closed out their season with a perfect record.

The victory is the club's fourth in its history, with last year's title being their first in 49 years. Auckland University Rugby Club (Varsity) were looking to bank their first title since 2017 and looked promising, leading 7 - 5 at halftime, but they battled to match a strong second-half fight back from Rovers who ran away with 15-points to seal the win.

The match was the 100^th Gallaher Shield final, with the prize first contested in 1922 after it was introduced in honour of the late Dave Gallaher - famous Originals All Blacks captain, Auckland Rugby and Ponsonby Rugby Club legend who was killed in battle during WWI.

Hosts Waitemata Rugby Club had success across three matches including the George Nicholson Trophy Premier Development final defeating Manukau 29 - 10, the Stan Foster Memorial Plate U21 Plate final beating College Rifles 22 - 15 and the Portola Trophy triumphing over Otahuhu 35 - 22.

Pakuranga took out the Arthur Bayliss Cup U21 final beating Grammar TEC 23 - 15, while Papatoetoe won the Jubilee Trophy beating Suburbs 41 - 14.

Article added: Monday 24 July 2023