By Linda Clarke  March 9 2010

Mr Coster, a shearer for 24 years, took out the PGG Wrightson National Series final, his second successive win in the event.

Shearers accumulate points over shearing competitions at Alexandra, Waimate, Christchurch, Raglan and Pihiatua, with the top 12 going on to the Golden Shears.

Fellow Rakaia shearer Grant Smith was also in the top 12 but didn't make the final six.

Mr Coster had to shear 15 sheep, of mixed breeds with different wool, in the fastest time to advance to the final. There he beat James Fagan from Te Kuiti and young Hawke's Bay shearer Cam Ferguson. Ferguson later became the youngest Golden Shears open champion in 21 years when he won the final of that event.

In between the national series semi and final, Mr Coster was also a part of the New Zealand team to beat Australia in a trans-Tasman test. Each test team shearer had to shear six merinos, three long-wool and three second-shear sheep – Mr Coster's time was 17 minutes 26.324 seconds.

For a man who shears 300 sheep a day in his paying day job, the numbers were light; but Mr Coster said shearers needed to be fit to shear at competition speed, where the pace was energy-sapping.

He boosts his fitness before competition by rowing or biking in the morning before work.

Mr Coster, 42, shears for Rolleston-based contractor Barry Pullin and said most of their jobs were within the Canterbury region.

When he's not working, the industry organisation Tectra has him in training mode, teaching young shearers the tricks of the trade. Despite a decreasing national flock, there are plenty of young people wanting to learn, he said.

Mr Coster said a young shearer could ply his trade all round the world, often seeing some spectacular country off the beaten track.

Pictured: Tony Coster with medals and ribbons marking his success on the boards at the weekend. - Photo Kirsty Graham 080310-KG-077