Rugby: 30 years on from Taranaki's 'Fabulous Fortnight'

Thirty years ago today, Taranaki rugby produced one of its greatest upsets and sparked a fortnight the province would never forget.

On August 24, 1996, Taranaki stunned powerhouse Auckland 42-39 at Eden Park to claim the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 31 years.

It was a result few would have predicted.

Taranaki had returned to the NPC's first division that season after earning promotion in 1995 and travelled to Auckland without a win.

Auckland were the dominant force in New Zealand provincial rugby and would go on to win their fourth consecutive national title that season, although many of their leading players were unavailable for the Shield challenge while on All Blacks duty in South Africa.

But Auckland still presented a formidable challenge on their home ground.

Taranaki threw reputations aside, with second five Dean Magon becoming one of the heroes of the afternoon with a hat-trick, including two tries from an innovative lineout move devised by coach Graham O'Brien.

O'Brien had studied the laws and kept the move under wraps before the Shield challenge, with Taranaki unleashing it at Eden Park to catch Auckland out.

Magon completed his hat-trick as Taranaki held on to record the famous three-point victory.

When captain Andy Slater lifted the Log o' Wood, Taranaki's 31-year wait was over.

The province's previous Shield reign had ended against Auckland in 1965, making the victory at Eden Park even more significant.

But the story of 1996 was about more than what happened during those 80 minutes.

The Shield's return sparked an outpouring of provincial pride and began what became known as the "Fabulous Fortnight".

There was a parade held through New Plymouth as Shield fever swept across Taranaki.

For many younger supporters, it was their first experience of Taranaki holding one of New Zealand rugby's most famous trophies.

The following weekend brought the first defence at Rugby Park, where Taranaki held off North Harbour 13-11.

By the time Waikato arrived a week later, Shield fever was at its peak.

About 28,000 people packed Rugby Park hoping Taranaki could extend its reign, but Waikato proved too strong and won 40-19.

The Shield had been in Taranaki's possession for just a fortnight.

But those two weeks became part of the province's rugby folklore.

Taranaki would enjoy further Ranfurly Shield success in the decades that followed, but the circumstances surrounding 1996 ensured it retained a special place in the province's sporting history.

It was unexpected, achieved at Eden Park and ended a wait stretching back more than three decades.

Thirty years later, the Fabulous Fortnight, and the afternoon that started it, remains one of Taranaki rugby's great stories.