Manukau Rovers go back-to-back to claim title in 100th Gallaher Shield

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

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 Māngere, 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 were looking to bank their first title since 2019 and looked promising, leading 7 - 5 at halftime, but they struggled to match a strong second-half fight back from Rovers who piled on 15-points to seal the win.

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

Visit Manukau Rovers' Facebook page for videos from the game.