Canterbury team with the Ranfurly Shield, 1972

The 1972 Canterbury team with the Ranfurly Shield following their 12-6 victory over Auckland. Alex (‘Grizz’) Wyllie the successful Canterbury captain (and future All Black coach) stands to the right. Auckland had only won the shield back from North Auckland 10 days earlier and Canterbury ended their shortest run as holder. Canterbury's tenure ended in spectacular fashion at the start of the following season when Marlborough produced one of the biggest upsets in Ranfurly Shield history, winning 13–6.

Canterbury and Auckland have vied with each other for many years for number one status in New Zealand provincial rugby. Games between the two have the added intensity of north versus south and city versus country. The ‘Cantabs’ rank second to Auckland in the number of Ranfurly Shield victories and national provincial championships won.