Infotainment Factory: Claims drugs were snorted on iconic, broken trophy

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

Claims drugs were snorted off the broken Ranfurly Shield during Hawke's Bay's celebrations are being investigated.

Stuff was sent a photo of the damaged Log O' Wood on Monday morning, with white powder evident on one half of it.

"They snorted drugs off the frickin Ranfurly," the caption said.

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New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Hawke's Bay Rugby Union are aware of the photo and are investigating in a bid to verify the claims.

"NZR is aware of new images circulating on social media related to the Ranfurly Shield and are making further enquiries to Hawke's Bay Rugby," NZR said in a statement.

The damaged Ranfurly Shield with white powder on its surface.

It's understood NZR are meeting this morning and a further release is expected.

Hawke's Bay chief executive Jay Campbell said he was made aware of the photo on Sunday night and was investigating.

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Stuff has responded to the person who sent the image and claimed drugs had been snorted from its surface.

Hawke's Bay's Ranfurly Shield celebrations left the treasured Log O' Wood badly damaged, after it was apparently dropped on a concrete kitchen floor.

Lolagi Visinia of Hawke's Bay celebrates after winning the Ranfurly Shield.

It's understood the team's celebrations continued into Sunday morning at a player's flat, where non-players were also in attendance.

The latest photo follows a video emerging of two-Test All Black Folau Fakatava holding the broken shield, which the Magpies won off Wellington in the capital on Saturday.

Campbell said Fakatava wasn't responsible, insisting the damage to the shield was due to a "genuine accident".

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"Having taken some time to understand from those present what has happened, this was a genuine accident which occurred this morning when a player has unfortunately dropped the Shield onto a concrete kitchen floor," Campbell said.

"Hawke's Bay Rugby and our players understand the significance of this special taonga and its unique place within NZ rugby, including our own rich history. Everyone involved is incredibly upset and devastated by what has happened, especially as it was a genuine accident."

Fans celebrate with the Ranfurly Shield, which had recently undergone a restoration.

It's understood Hawke's Bay will pay for repairs, and that the person speaking in the video of Fakatava is not a Magpies player.

The Magpies beat Wellington 20-18 on Saturday afternoon, denying the Lions from stashing the Shield for a second straight summer.

It was payback after Wellington snatched it from them late last season, sparking euphoric scenes on the pitch, ones that evidently continued off the pitch.

It's only been months since a major restoration project, with the old Shield, gradually worn down by 118 years of handling, decommissioned by NZ Rugby Māori cultural adviser Luke Crawford, recognising its status as a taonga in rugby.

In its place is a new Shield – also made from English Oak sourced from the Hutt Valley in Wellington – to continue its storied journey, with the original stand remaining to make sure there was a connection to the past.

Hawke's Bay are not slated to defend the Ranfurly Shield until next season.