Mitchell Scott, Josh Dickson and Joketani Koroi. Josh Ioane kicked a penalty over with 20 minutes to go to put Otago ahead by 4 points and Otago successfully defended that lead. The win at the end of the season meant that Otago would hold on to the Ranfurly Shield until at least the start of the 2019 season. 2019 Ranfurly Shield defences The 2019 preseason saw Otago play in two Ranfurly Shield challenge matches. The first against 2018 Heartland Championship champions Thames Valley and the second against neighbours North Otago. The first challenge saw the Razorbacks defeat Thames Valley 41–21 in a gutsy display from the visitors. Otago defended the Ranfurly Shield against North Otago in Oamaru 49-14 in July 2019. Otago played a completely different backline to the one that played against Thames Valley. On 17 August, Otago played against rivals Southland at Forsyth Barr Stadium in a duel where the Ranfurly Shield was at play. Otago retained the Shield convincingly in a 41–22 victory. Otago, on 30 August, successfully defended the shield against Manawatū 37-20 with Vilimoni Koroi scoring a hattrick of tries. Otago defeated Taranaki 35-27 with Vilimoni Koroi scoring one try, kicking three touchline conversions and three penalties. Otago then saw off Waikato 45-35 on 29 September. The season ended with disappointment for Otago, as Canterbury beat Otago 35-25 to lift the Ranfurly Shield on 5th October 2019. Sio Tomkinson, Adam Thomson and Jona Nareki all scored tries for Otago with Josh Ioane converting two of them and kicking two penalties. 2020 Ranfurly Shield victory Otago won the Ranfurly Shield off Taranaki in September 2020. The team coached by Tom Donnelly was expected to struggle against Taranaki (who had beaten Canterbury the previous week). Otago dominated the first half, scoring three tries to lead 22-5 at half time. Otago No 8 Dylan Nel scored the first try from a lineout. Josh Ioane played a fine game at first five-eight and scored a try amongst his efforts. Freedom Vahaakolo and Liam Coltman also scored tries for Otago. The final result was 30-19. Unfortunately for Otago, the shield was lost just seven days later when Hawkes Bay defeated Otago at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Otago conceded three tries to Hawkes Bay in the 28-9 loss despite dominating possession in the first half. Josh Ioane kicked three penalties which were the only points that Otago scored in