The shield is theirs! Waikato take the log o' wood off Taranaki in New Plymouth.

Add another chapter to Waikato's rich Ranfurly Shield history.

After more than a year without tasting victory, the Mooloos have sensationally reversed their fortunes and claimed the Log o' Wood after a remarkable raid in Taranaki.

Waikato won 33-19 at Yarrow Stadium on Sunday in a manner that resembled their 46-10 Shield triumph in 2012, but Taranaki wouldn't roll over so easily in New Plymouth.

After the challengers stormed to a 33-7 half-time lead, the amber and blacks came to life in the second half, ferociously fighting back and applying the blowtorch to Waikato's desperate defence, but Taranaki's sixth reign would end after four defences.

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ANDY JACKSON/PHOTOSPORT It's fulltime and Waikato celebrate their 33-19 win over Taranaki to reclaim the Ranfurly Shield.

Waikato, who boast the third best Shield record behind only Auckland and Canterbury, were unsuccessful when challenging Canterbury last season after the perennial provincial champions ended their last reign almost two years ago.

But the 2018 Mooloos fought tooth and nail to deny a Taranaki onslaught, claiming not only a priceless Mitre 10 Cup victory in a crossover clash that gives their Championship campaign a shot in the arm, but the most famous piece of silverware in provincial rugby was tucked on board their joyous bus ride home.

Captain Dwayne Sweeney fought back tears as the result sunk in. "I need a minute... it's pretty special. I never thought I'd get another chance to challenge for it and the effort that we put in... you've always got to attack to win the Shield and we were outstanding in that first half," Sweeney told Sky TV.

ANDY JACKSON/PHOTOSPORT Quinn Tupaea scores before halftime to the jubilation of his Waikato team-mates.

Not since 1964 have Taranaki beaten Waikato for the Shield.

Waikato's first defence comes around quickly, against Hawke's Bay in Hamilton on Thursday, as they claimed their second victory from five in a season that suddenly feels like it's heading in the right direction.

After ending their 10-match losing streak with an emphatic six-try win over Wellington on Wednesday, Waikato coach Jono Gibbes wanted them to play and play they did.

In Taranaki's 100th Shield match, the Mooloos ran riot in the opening 40 minutes with such confidence – a trait often completely absent in the last 12 months – in a contest in which they were heavy underdogs against a Taranaki outfit that is beginning to run more cold than hot during a flaky Premiership campaign.

Waikato, historically, have the wood on Taranaki in Shield encounters and the last successful defence of their previous reign was a 20-20 draw against the amber and blacks in Hamilton in 2016.

GETTY IMAGES Taranaki's Regan Ware tries to stretch the Waikato defence in New Plymouth.

This time the challengers, Waikato started with plenty of positive intent and that thirst for attack resulted in five clinical first-half tries for the Mooloos, who incredibly led 33-7.

Taranaki responded to a likely stern message from the sheds and played like a different side in the second half as Waikato's huge advantage suddenly narrowed.

Despite applying intense pressure for long periods, Waikato's defence stood firm as their forwards fronted up against Taranaki's increasingly desperate attack.

GETTY IMAGES Captain Dwayne Sweeney opened the scoring for Waikato at Yarrow Stadium.

Sweeney scored early as Waikato's challenge started brightly but Regan Ware's try brought the hosts level as the New Zealand sevens flyer superbly skipped the tacklers to cross the whitewash.

Then an excellent break from Quinn Tupaea, as well as some superb composure from Waikato's teenage centre, led to Adam Burn scoring as the Mooloos went ahead again.

James Tucker planted the ball against the post as Waikato stretched their lead to 19-7 and the Shield looked to be heading to Hamilton when Samisoni Taukei'aho and Tupaea finished off two more brilliant tries.

Taranaki then hit back after the break as Manasa Mataele and Seta Tamanivalu brought the holders to within two converted tries with 31 minutes still remaining, but Waikato dug in to take the Shield home.

AT A GLANCE

Waikato 33 (Dwayne Sweeney, Adam Burn, James Tucker, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Quinn Tupaea tries; Fletcher Smith 4 con) Taranaki 19 (Regan Ware, Manasa Mataele, Seta Tamanivalu tries; Beaudein Waaka 2 con). HT: 33-7.