1.
New Zealand national rugby union team
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The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly called the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in mens rugby union, which is regarded as the countrys national sport. The side has won the last two Rugby World Cups, in 2011 and 2015, as well as the tournament in 1987. They have a 77% winning record in test match rugby, and are the international side with a winning record against every opponent. Since their international debut in 1903, they have lost to only six of the 19 nations they have played in test matches, since the introduction of the World Rugby Rankings in 2003, New Zealand has held the number one ranking longer than all other teams combined. The All Blacks are statistically the best side to have played the game, New Zealand competes with Argentina, Australia and South Africa in The Rugby Championship. The All Blacks have won the fourteen times in the competitions twenty-one-year history. As of the end of 2016 competition, they hold the Bledisloe Cup, which is contested annually with Australia, New Zealand have achieved a Grand Slam four times –1978,2005,2008 and 2010. Fifteen former All Blacks have been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, All Black coaches have won World Rugby Coach of the Year nine times since the awards 2001 launch. The teams first match was in 1884, and their first international test match was in 1903 against Australia in Sydney, the following year they hosted their first ever home test, a match against a British Isles side in Wellington. This was followed by a 34-game tour of Europe and North America in 1905, New Zealands early uniforms consisted of a black jersey with a silver fern and white knickerbockers. By the 1905 tour, they were wearing all black, except for the silver fern, the team perform a haka – a Māori challenge or posture dance – before each match. The haka performed has traditionally been Te Rauparahas Ka Mate, although since 2005 Kapa o Pango is often performed, the first recorded game in New Zealand took place in May 1870 in Nelson between the Nelson club and Nelson College. The first provincial union, the Canterbury Rugby Football Union, was formed in 1879, NSW did not face a New Zealand representative team but played seven provincial sides – the tourists won four games and lost three. Two years later the first New Zealand team to travel overseas toured New South Wales, a privately organised British team, which later became the British and Irish Lions, toured New Zealand in 1888. No test matches were played, and the only played provincial sides. The British players were mainly from Northern England, but there were representatives from Wales. The first officially sanctioned New Zealand side toured New South Wales in 1893, the following year New Zealand played its first home international game, losing 8–6 to New South Wales. The teams first true test match occurred against Australia on 15 August 1903 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of over 30,000 spectators, a representative New Zealand team first toured the British Isles in 1905
2.
Rugby union
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Rugby union, known in some parts of the world simply as rugby, is a contact team sport which originated in England in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its most common form, a game is between two teams of 15 players using a ball on a rectangular field with H-shaped goalposts on each try line. Historically an amateur sport, in 1995 restrictions on payments to players were removed, World Rugby, originally the International Rugby Football Board and from 1998 to 2014 the International Rugby Board, has been the governing body for rugby union since 1886. Rugby union spread from the Home Nations of Great Britain and Ireland, early exponents of the sport included Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France. Countries that have adopted rugby union as their de facto national sport include Fiji, Georgia, Madagascar, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Rugby union is played in over 100 countries across six continents, there are 101 full members and 18 associate members of World Rugby. The Rugby World Cup, first held in 1987, takes place four years with the winner of the tournament receiving the Webb Ellis Cup. The Six Nations Championship in Europe and The Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere are major annual competitions. The origin of football is reputed to be an incident during a game of English school football at Rugby School in 1823. Although the evidence for the story is doubtful, it was immortalised at the school with a plaque unveiled in 1895, despite the doubtful evidence, the Rugby World Cup trophy is named after Webb Ellis. Rugby football stems from the form of game played at Rugby School, Old Rugbeian Albert Pell, a student at Cambridge, is credited with having formed the first football team. During this early period different schools used different rules, with pupils from Rugby. Other important events include the Blackheath Clubs decision to leave the Football Association in 1863, despite the sports full name of rugby union, it is known simply as rugby throughout most of the world. The first rugby football international was played on 27 March 1871 between Scotland and England, by 1881 both Ireland and Wales had representative teams, and in 1883 the first international competition, the Home Nations Championship had begun. 1883 is also the year of the first rugby tournament, the Melrose Sevens. During the early history of union, a time before commercial air travel. The first two notable tours both took place in 1888—the British Isles team touring New Zealand and Australia, followed by the New Zealand team touring Europe, All three teams brought new styles of play, fitness levels and tactics, and were far more successful than critics had expected. After Morgan began singing, the crowd joined in, the first time a national anthem was sung at the start of a sporting event, in 1905 France played England in its first international match
3.
Rugby union positions
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In the game of rugby union, there are 15 players on each team, comprising eight forwards and seven backs. In addition, there may be up to eight replacement players on the bench, players are not restricted to any single position on the field, although they generally specialise in just one or two that suit their skills and body types. Players that specialise in three positions are called utility players. The scrum, however, must consist of eight players, the front row, the row. The players outside the scrum are called the backs, scrum-half, fly-half, the backs play behind the forwards and are usually more lightly built and faster. Successful backs are skilful at passing and kicking, full-backs need to be good defenders and kickers, and have the ability to catch a kicked ball. The wingers are usually among the fastest players in a team, the centres key attacking roles are to try and break through the defensive line and link successfully with wingers. The fly-half can be a kicker and generally directs the backline. The scrum-half retrieves the ball from the forwards and needs a quick, forwards compete for the ball in scrums and line-outs and are generally bigger and stronger than the backs. Props push in the scrums, while the hooker tries to hook the ball, locks are tall and jump for the ball at the line-out after the hooker has thrown it in. The flankers and number eight should be the first forwards to a tackle, there are a maximum of 15 players from each team on a rugby field at one time. The players position at the start of the game is indicated by the number on the back of their shirts,1 to 15, the positions are divided into two main categories, forwards and backs. In international matches, there are eight substitutes that can replace a team member. The substitutes, numbered 16 to 23, can take up the position of the player they replace or the on-field players can be shuffled to make room for this player in another position. Typically, the replacement players will have a number that corresponds with their intended replacement position with the numbers from 16 to 20 being forwards and 21 to 23 being backs. There are no personal squad numbers and a players position. Players can also change positions with players on the field during the match, common examples are the fly-half playing the full-backs position in defence or a prop taking the hookers position at line-outs. Different positions on the field suit certain skill sets and body types, each position has certain roles to play on the field, although most have been established through convention rather than law
4.
Manawatu Rugby Union
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Manawatu Rugby Football Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu province. Founded in 1886, Manawatu is one of New Zealands oldest rugby unions, in 1892, the MRU, amongst other Rugby Unions, was instrumental in the founding of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Manawatu Rugby Union has over 5,000 players, making it the tenth largest union in New Zealand in terms of player numbers, in 2011, the union celebrated its 125th Jubilee. Manawatu have traditionally played in a green and white tramline jersey. In 1997–98 Manawatu entered into an amalgamation with Hawkes Bay, as the Central Vikings, the Unions home ground is Central Energy Trust Arena. It was host to two matches of the Rugby World Cup 2011, on a wider note, Palmerston North is the home of the New Zealand Rugby Museum and also the Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute. The Manawatu Turbos are the mens team in the Manawatu rugby province. In 2005, Manawatu were invited to play in the first division of a restructured National Provincial Championship, as well as propelling Manawatu into professional rugby, it was also the first time since 1988 the top grade competition would feature a team from the province. Manawatu have a reputation for fielding young, local talent and this has served mixed results however this approach has also uncovered new exciting players who have made Super Rugby level and also the All Blacks. As Manawatu finished 13th of 14 in 2010, the team were placed in the Championship in 2011, in 2011, Manawatu went through the season unbeaten at home and a few losses, finishing the top of the Championship. The final at home against Hawkes Bay ended in a disappointing 30–35 loss, leaving Manawatu in the Championship, the 2012 season began with key players missing due to injury or other duties. Due to the departure of previous coach Dave Rennie, Jason OHalloran was promoted to head coach, some highlights in a season that had its ups and downs included the first away win against North Harbour and a big win at home against Hawkes Bay. The mixed success and failure from results from the teams in the Championship saw an unusual proposition. The last game against Southland saw an opportunity for either team to make the post-season of the Championship, a late try to Southland ended Manawatus season. Manawatu finished the season with 3 wins and 7 losses, 6th in the Championship, subsequently remaining in the Championship for 2013. Manawatu made the Premiership for 2015 by beating Hawkes Bay in the 2014 Championship final at home, the Manawatu side finished bottom of the Premiership, therefore being relegated back to the Championship for 2016. For Manawatu Turbos previous Air New Zealand Cup seasons see,20082009 The Turbos squad for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup, on 10 August Manawatu signed Canadian international prop Jake Ilnicki. Denotes team captain, Denotes that a player is unavailable due to injury, there are 10 club teams which play at Senior A level
5.
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
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The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru, Club rugby in South Canterbury predated the formation of South Canterbury RFU by at least two decades. The first recorded rugby match in South Canterbury was played on 15 October 1867 between The Timaru and Temuka Clubs at Arowhenua. Eight years later, in 1875, the South Canterbury Football Club was formed, founded by Alfred St. George Hamersley the former captain of the England national rugby union team and resident of Timaru. Soon after on 24 May 1875 a match was played between North and South Canterbury at Ashburton that resulted in a draw, more clubs were formed, such as the Waimate Football Club on 24 May 1876, and Christchurch are recorded as playing Temuka in 1876. The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888 when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union, soon after, a representative match was played on 24 July 1888 against the New Zealand Native Team on the Athletic Grounds, Timaru. South Canterbury has produced a number of All Blacks and are one of the few unions to have played in all three Divisions of the NPC. Also 2011 saw two sell out Super 15 games played at Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru - the Crusaders vs the Bulls, the South Canterbury Rugby team play from Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru and they play their rugby in the Heartland Championship. They also compete against Mid Canterbury and North Otago for the Hanan Shield, South Canterbury along with Canterbury, Tasman, Buller, Mid Canterbury and West Coast make up the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise. South Canterbury won the 2nd division South Island in 1976,1977,1981 and the 3rd division in 1986,1991,1998, and the Lochore Cup in 2013. First played for in 1946, the Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury are the current holders of the Shield after beating Mid Canterbury 17-15 on 13 October 2012
6.
Thomas Ellison
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Thomas Rangiwahia Ellison, also known as Tom Ellison or Tamati Erihana was a New Zealand rugby union player and lawyer. He led the first New Zealand representative rugby team organised by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union on their 1893 tour of Australia, Ellison also played in the 1888–89 New Zealand Native football team on their epic 107-match tour, scoring 113 points, and 43 tries with the side. Born in Otakou, Otago Heads, Ellison was educated at Te Aute College, after moving to Wellington, Ellison played for the Poneke Football Club, and was selected to play for Wellington province. He was recruited into Joe Warbricks privately organised Native football team in 1888, in 1892, he started to refine and popularise the wing-forward system of play, which was a vital element of New Zealand rugbys success until 1932. He retired from playing rugby after captaining the 1893 New Zealand side to New South Wales and Queensland, Ellison was the author of a coaching manual, The Art of Rugby Football, published in 1902. After contracting tuberculosis in 1904, he was briefly institutionalised before dying later that year, thomas Rangiwahia Ellison was born in Otakou at Otago Heads, to Raniera Taheke Ellison and Nani Weller, sometime between 1866 and 1868. He was named after his grandfather, and his middle name. Ellison was Māori, of Ngāi Tahu and Kāti Mamoe tribal heritage through his mother and he started playing organised rugby there, and during his final two years played in the school team that won the Hawkes Bay senior club championship. Later in life Ellison claimed that at Te Aute he learned, after moving to Wellington, Ellison joined the Poneke Football Club in 1885. The Poneke team played junior rugby at the time, but were promoted to the senior competition after winning all their matches that year. Following their promotion the side won the Wellington club championship each year from 1886 to 1889, Ellison was selected to play for the Wellington provincial team in 1885, and continued to be selected for Wellington until 1892. He eventually earned 23 caps—a large number for the time, initially Ellison played as a forward or on the wing, but later played half-back. In early 1888 Joe Warbrick attempted to organise a party of Māori players to tour Great Britain—later known as the New Zealand Native football team. A cousin of Ellisons, Jack Taiaroa, who had toured with the New Zealand team that travelled to New South Wales in 1884 and it was most likely because of Taiaroa that Ellison was persuaded to join Warbricks Natives team. Warbrick eventually assembled a side that included both Māori and non-Māori New Zealand-born players, and several players born overseas, the final team consisted of 26 players, and toured New Zealand before departing to Melbourne. They then toured Great Britain, Australia, and finally New Zealand again—the trip lasted 14 months, Ellison played mostly as a forward throughout the tour, and played at least 83 of the teams 107 matches, including a minimum of 58 in Britain. Ellison played all of the Natives three internationals—against Ireland, Wales, and England, the Ireland match was the first international of the tour, two months after their arrival in the British Isles. The fixture was played at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, on 1 December 1888, Ireland led 3–0 at half-time, but the Natives improved considerably in the second-half, scoring four tries
7.
Wellington Rugby Football Union
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The Wellington Rugby Football Union are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Wellington. The main stadium is Westpac Stadium which is located in Wellington, the union also represents the Wellington Lions, which is professional rugby union team who compete in the Mitre 10 Cup competition and contest for the Ranfurly Shield. Before 2006 the Lions competed in the National Provincial Championship, players from Wellington who are eligible to play in the Super Rugby generally play for the Hurricanes, and traditionally contribute the core of the Hurricanes squad. This position is due to the Wellington basing of the Hurricanes. The reorganisation of provincial rugby in 2006 brought all three provinces into the ITM Cup, the senior Wellington representative team, the Wellington Lions play in the ITM Cup, which replaced the National Provincial Championship in 2006 as the Air New Zealand Cup. The Lions have won the competition four times since its inception in 1976. The titles came in 1978,1981,1986 and most recently in 2000 and their colours are gold and black as shown on the Lions jersey. The Lions play their games at the Westpac Stadium, previously playing at Athletic Park until 1999. In 2014 Wellington lost a record nine straight losses and were relegated to the ITM Cup Championship 2015, the Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand domestic rugby. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, the holding union must defend the Shield in home matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield. Wellington won the first ever shield challenge winning it from Auckland in 1904 and it wouldnt be until 1914 when Wellington would get the shield back by winning it off Taranaki. This marked the longest time Wellington have held the shield successfully defending it for 15 matches until losing it again to Southland in 1920 and they beat Southland a year later to regain the shield before promptly losing to Hawkes Bay after only 2 matches. Wellington held the shield for one match in 1930 and after losing it to Canterbury they would not regain the shield until 1953. Up until the 1980s Wellington had short stints defending the shield, Wellington lost the shield to Canterbury on 29 August, losing 36–14 at Westpac Stadium. Canterbury then held the shield for 4 defences before losing to Southland on 22 October and it is currently held by Waikato who defeated Hawkes Bay on 9 October 2015 by 36–30. Wellington has a team that are part of the Womens Provincial Championship. Wellington Pride is the team aside from Auckland to have won the Womens Championship. Wellington has played a number of times against touring rugby teams
8.
Taranaki Rugby Football Union
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The Taranaki Rugby Football Union are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. The main stadium is Yarrow Stadium which is located in New Plymouth, the union also represents the Taranaki Bulls, which is professional rugby union team who compete in the Mitre 10 Cup competition and contest for the Ranfurly Shield. Before 2006 the Bulls competed in the National Provincial Championship, on 25 October 2014 Taranaki won their first ITM Cup, defeating Tasman 36–32 in New Plymouth. This was the first time a team from outside the population centres had won the premier New Zealand domestic rugby competition since Manawatu in 1980. Taranaki has won the NPC second division more than any other Union in New Zealand, Taranaki also plays for the Ryan Wheeler memorial trophy, a trophy played for annually with the Waikato Rugby Union. In 2013, Taranaki changed its Super Rugby allegiance to the Chiefs, after severing ties with the Hurricanes, on May 31,1889 the Hawera club convened a meeting in Hawera, of delegates from the Hawera, Waimate, New Plymouth, Okaiawa, and Eltham clubs. This meeting agreed to form the Taranaki Union, by the turn of the century, Taranaki R. F. U. had produced eleven All Blacks, six of whom toured Great Britain in 1905. Taranaki currently plays in the professional Mitre 10 Cup, which it won in 2014, coastal Rugby and Sports Club, Merger of the Okato Rugby Football Club, the Rahotu Rugby Football Club and the Opunake Rugby Football Club. Eltham Kaponga Rugby Football Club, Merger of the Eltham Rugby Football Club, the Taranaki Rugby Referees Association has the backing of sponsor Farmlands. Each year the TRRA names a Top Five, Top Five after the 2016 season is, Cameron Stone Richard Kelly Will Johnston Max OLeary Trent Mischefski Paul Williams was not considered due to his Super Rugby commitments. These five referees are involved as assistant referees and substitution controllers at the local Mitre 10 Cup, Super Rugby and they are also involved in local development and age-group representative matches as New Zealand Rugby Union have given most of the representative appointments back to the local provinces. The Dean Cup is believed to be the oldest competition trophy still being played for in the sport of rugby union. In 2003 when Whangamomona challenged Strathmore for the cup and the game was played at Yarrow Stadium on 19 April as a curtain raiser to the Hurricanes versus Highlanders Super 12 match. Strathmore were victorious, on occasion, holding on to defend the cup. This is the first time that the Dean Cup has been played for outside of the Eastern Districts. The T. R. F. U. has several teams under its control and their top professional team, the Bulls is coached by Colin Cooper and captained by midfielder Charlie Ngatai. Their traditional colors are amber and black hoops with white shorts and they are also sponsored by Port Taranaki. The Taranaki squad for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup was announced on 2 August, samoan international Isaia Tuifua was listed as injury cover
9.
Auckland rugby union team
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The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the top representative rugby union team under the Auckland Rugby Football Union in New Zealand. They currently compete in the ITM Cup Premiership, Auckland has been the most successful team in NPC history, winning the title a record 16 times. Auckland has also produced a number of All Blacks,181. Auckland is coached by Paul Feeney, Auckland has been the most successful union in New Zealand rugby history, having won a record 16 ITM Cup titles. Auckland also holds the record for the most Ranfurly Shield wins, successful defences, there have been many notable eras in the teams history. It went undefeated for six seasons from 1897, and there was a ground breaking run in the early 1920s under Sir Vincent Meredith, the 1960–63 period, known as the Golden Era, was summed up in The Golden Years written by Don Cameron in 1983. There was also a relatively undisturbed spell of success from 1982 through to the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup victory, Auckland won 16 of the 26 Air NZ NPC titles available in that time – a period that included 61 Ranfurly Shield defences. Auckland were the first holders of the shield in 1902 and have won 153 out of 194 shield matches up to 2007 – the most successful record of any provincial union. Since 1902 there have been three notable shield eras, from 1905 to 1913 there were 23 challenges repelled, another 25 between 1960 and 1963, and 61 challenges in the period from 1985 to 1993. With six titles in the 1990s, and four so far in the new century, the 2007 team is the first since the 1990 side to remain unbeaten in a season and win the Ranfurly Shield and the provincial championship. Auckland play their matches at Eden Park, and have done so ever since 1925. It opened in 1900 and also is used for cricket, Eden Park has the largest crowd capacity of any New Zealand sporting venue with around 42,000 for cricket and 47,500 for rugby. It is currently expanding from a plan of 47,500 to an estimated 60,000. The Auckland squad for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup was announced as follows with Ben Lam, T. J. Faiane, Denotes team captain, Denotes that a player is unavailable due to injury, Bold denotes player is internationally capped. This is a list of players who have represented New Zealand from the Auckland representative rugby union team, players are listed by the decade they were first selected in and players in bold are current All Blacks. Official site Eden Park Website Supporters Club
10.
West Coast Rugby Football Union
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The team is based in Greymouth and plays home matches at Rugby Park. West Coast along with Canterbury, Tasman, Buller, Mid Canterbury, from 2006 where they finished 12th, to 2009 when they made the Lochore Cup Final, whilst making the Meads Cup Semi-Finals in 2013. West Coast have never held the Ranfurly Shield, Rundle was a local business man in the mining industry and former player for the Grey Football Club. He later perished on the frontline in France during World War One, the first contest for the Rundle Cup was held in 1911 in Westport, and it replaced the Molloy Cup as the region’s symbol of rugby supremacy. The first game between the two Unions occurred in 1896 and bragging rights on the Coast now come via the Rundle Cup. Of the 37 challenge trophies contested by two provinces in New Zealand rugby it is of the longest continuous existence, it is also the second oldest provincial trophy after the Ranfurly Shield. WILLIAM ARTHUR RUNDLE Donor of the Rundle Cup William Rundle was born on 24 April 1874 at No Town, a small mining settlement 25km north-east of Greymouth. His parents, Thomas and Julia Rundle were both born in Cornwall, England, and had come out to New Zealand where Thomas became the storekeeper at No Town from the 1870s, the village also had a hotel and post office. C. A fourth brother, Francis Henry, died in 1892, William and his siblings were educated at the local No Town School. When in his teenage years William was a pupil-teacher at the school. In 1893, when aged 20, he was appointed headmaster at Ahaura School, on 4 December 1899 William married Adelaine Ada Mary Gough at Ahaura. However, the dispute appeared to have been settled amicably, William took part in many community activities and played competition cricket with the local club. William and Ada moved to Hokitika in 1901 and their son Francis Frank was born there on 30 September 1901, the children, Frank and Ada, took part in musical recitals when the family moved to Greymouth. William played rugby with the local White Star club and in years was on the management committee of the United rugby club. He played cricket and became secretary of the Grey Cricket Association, in Greymouth William was also active in tennis, cycling and the Masonic Lodge. In addition to his work as a Government Life Insurance Co agent William acted as secretary to several goldmining companies and was a sharebroker, in September 1910 William informed the West Coast rugby union that he wished to donate a cup for competition between West Coast and Buller unions. The cup would replace the previous trophy, Molloy Cup, which West Coast now held outright, the Molloy Cup had been donated by Rev. Father Molloy, of Westport, who made the offer in September 1905, the original condition was that the trophy became the property of the winning team that won twice in succession or three times at intervals
11.
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
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The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union. The Wairarapa Bush team play in the Heartland Championship from Memorial Park and they were the inaugural winners of the Meads Cup after beating Wanganui 16-14 on 21 October 2006. Wairarapa Bush won the 2nd division North Island in 1981, 3rd division in 2005, Wairarapa Bush have never held the Ranfurly Shield but Wairarapa held the shield in 1927,1928 and 1950. Wairarapa Bush were beaten 96-10 by Canterbury in a Ranfurly Shield challenge in July 2006, in July 2015 Wairarapa Bush challenged Hawkes Bay for the Shield but were defeated 58–7. Wairarapa Bush along with Wellington, Horowhenua-Kapiti, East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, there have only been six players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in Wairarapa Bush
