The Manawatu Rugby Football Union (MRU) is the governing body of the sport of

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

in the

Manawatū-Whanganui Manawatū-Whanganui (; spelled Manawatu-Wanganui prior to 2019) is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, whose main population centres are the cities of Palmerston North and Whanganui. It is administered by the Manawat ...

region of

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

. Founded in 1886, Manawatu is one of New Zealand's oldest rugby unions. In 1892, the MRU, amongst other unions, was instrumental in the founding of the

New Zealand Rugby New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it became an affiliate to t ...

Union (NZRU). In 1997–98 Manawatu entered into an amalgamation with , as the "Central Vikings", and wore orange and blue. The union is based in the city of

Palmerston North Palmerston North (; mi, Te Papa-i-Oea, known colloquially as Palmy) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatu Plains, the city is near the north bank of the ...

though its catchment area includes players and clubs from nearby towns in the province, including

Ashhurst Ashhurst ( mi, Whārite) is a town and outlying suburb of Palmerston North, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. Location Ashhurst is sited 14 kilometres northeast of the Palmerston North city centre. The town s ...

Feilding Feilding ( mi, Aorangi) is a town in the Manawatū District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 54, 20 kilometres north of Palmerston North. The town is the seat of the Manawatū District Council. Feilding has w ...

Rongotea Rongotea is a small rural village in the Manawatū District of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located on the western Manawatū Plains, approximately northwest of the region's main city, Palmerston North. Features Like most of the small sett ...

Linton Linton may refer to: Places Australia * Linton, Victoria Canada * Linton, Ontario * Linton, Quebec United Kingdom England * Linton, Cambridgeshire * Linton, Derbyshire * Linton (near Bromyard), Herefordshire * Linton (near Ross-on-Wye), Her ...

Bulls Bulls may refer to: *The plural of bull, an adult male bovine *Bulls, New Zealand, a small town in the Rangitikei District Sports *Bucking bull, used in the sport of bull riding *Bulls (rugby union), a South African rugby union franchise operated ...

Pahiatua , image_skyline = Market day pahiatua 1st dec 2007 1.JPG , imagesize = , image_caption = , image_flag = , flag_size = , image_seal = , seal_size = , image_shi ...

, Woodville and

Dannevirke Dannevirke ( "Earthworks (archaeology), work of the Danes", a reference to Danevirke; mi, Taniwaka, lit= or ''Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua'', the area where the town is), is a rural service town in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of the North Island, New ...

. It 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 distinctive green and white tramline jersey, which is thought to have been established in 1909. In 1996, a jersey including red was worn, and colours worn have varied since the union was formed. The union's home ground is

Central Energy Trust Arena Central Energy Trust Arena is the current name of the 180,000 square metre publicly owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. It has three linked indoor stadiums ...

History

The Manawatu rugby union was formed on 17 April 1886 at Palmerston North, with the founding clubs being: Palmerston, Feilding and Foxton. It was initially named the Manawatu County Union but was renamed in 1888. The sport had been introduced to the area by a few players from

Wanganui Whanganui (; ), also spelled Wanganui, is a city in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand. The city is located on the west coast of the North Island at the mouth of the Whanganui River, New Zealand's longest navigable waterway. Whangan ...

, who had moved into the region. Following the unions establishment many other clubs were formed as the sport became more popular. Early years The first recorded match in the Manawatu took place on 13 July 1878. A Feilding side faced a "Rangitikei Combined Clubs XV" which was played at Feilding. The first Ranfurly Shield game Manawatu appeared in was in 1914. This was played against

Taranaki Taranaki is a region in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It is named after its main geographical feature, the stratovolcano of Mount Taranaki, also known as Mount Egmont. The main centre is the city of New Plymouth. The New Plymouth Dist ...

Pukekura Park Pukekura Park is a Garden of National Significance, covering 52 hectares near the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki in New Zealand. History The gala opening of New Plymouth's 15 hectare Recreation Ground was held on 29 May 1876. During the day th ...

. The match was lost 11–3 with William Carroll scoring a sole try. Their next challenge came ten years later, in 1924, where they would lose 31–5 to

Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay ( mi, Te Matau-a-Māui) is a local government region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. The region's name derives from Hawke Bay, which was named by Captain James Cook in honour of Admiral Edward Hawke. The region is ...

. Manawatu also provided J.F. Manning to referee a match in 1905 between

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

and

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...

. 1970s and early 1980s: First division era and Ranfurly shield reign The period from 1976 to 1983 saw Manawatu as one of the leading New Zealand rugby provinces. In this period Manawatu consistently beat teams such as Otago, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury. Manawatu held the Ranfurly Shield from 1976 to 1978 and this was followed by victory in the 1980 First Division Championship. Manawatu were also runner-up in 1976 and 1981. A large sign reading "Go! Go! Manawatu!" was lifted above Palmerston North Showgrounds Oval by crane. Manawatu beat Auckland 12–10 at

Eden Park Eden Park is New Zealand's largest sports stadium, with a capacity of 50,000. Located in central Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, it is three kilometres southwest of the CBD, on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and King ...

in 1976 to win the coveted Log 'o Wood, as the Ranfurly Shield is sometimes referred to, for the first time. Doug Rollerson's dropped goal secured the famous victory for Manawatu. This led to a homecoming parade through the city streets. With prop Kent Lambert sent-off, Manawatu were reduced to 14-men in their defence of the Ranfurly Shield against the Counties side in 1977. However, Manawatu rallied to record a victory 15–10. A last minute try prevented the confident Counties side from taking the Shield back to

Pukekohe Pukekohe is a town in the Auckland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located at the southern edge of the Auckland Region, it is in South Auckland, between the southern shore of the Manukau Harbour and the mouth of the Waikato River. Th ...

for the first time. There was some controversy in 1977 when the Auckland rugby union had a request for a shield challenge that season denied by Manawatu who argued that Auckland had had 'too much influence in shield rugby for too long'. In the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the 1978 season Manawatu were leading North Auckland (now named Northland) 10–9 with time up on the clock. However, the referee, Bill Adlam, from Wanganui, played 5–6 minutes of 'injury' time before awarding the visitors a penalty, due to an offside, close to the posts. A penalty kick was successful and the shield was won by North Auckland. The referee then required a police escort off Showgrounds Oval (as it was known) while Manawatu fans showed their disgust and disappointment. Adlam claimed after the match that the game clock at the venue had not allocated for a couple of "lengthy" injury breaks, and so he rightly let the game go on. This was also backed up by a photographer who accurately timed the game. Manawatu scored a 20–10 win over Australia in 1978. In 1979 Auckland had won back the Ranfurly shield and denied Manawatu a challenge in 1980. In 1980, during its championship winning season, Manawatu had eight All Blacks within the team. They were:

Mark Donaldson Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson, (born 2 April 1979) is an Australian soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system. Then Trooper Donaldson was a member of the Special Air Service ...

, Mark Shaw,

Geoff Old Geoffrey Haldane Old (born 22 January 1956) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. Predominantly a number eight, Old represented Taranaki briefly and then Manawatu at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, ...

Frank Oliver Frank Oliver may refer to: *Frank Oliver (American football) (born 1952), American football player *Frank Oliver (footballer) (1882–?), English footballer *Frank Oliver (politician) (1853–1933), Canadian politician *Frank Oliver (rugby union) ( ...

Gary Knight Gary Knight (born 1964) is an Anglo-American photographer, editor and author. Co-founder of the VII Photo Agency, co-founder and CEO of the VII Foundation and founder and CEO of the VII Academy. Life and work Knight was born in 1964 in Oakham ...

Doug Rollerson Douglas Leslie Rollerson (14 May 1953 – 3 May 2017) was a New Zealand rugby union and rugby league player, and rugby union executive. Rugby union Primarily a fullback and first five-eighth, Rollerson represented Manawatu at a provincial lev ...

Lachie Cameron Lachlan Murray Cameron (born 12 April 1959) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A second five-eighth and centre, Cameron represented Manawatu and Counties at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the Al ...

and

Craig Wickes Craig David Wickes (born 26 February 1962) is a former New Zealand rugby player. He is notable as being the second-youngest All Black ever and the only player selected while still at high school. Career Wickes was born in Whakatane and his f ...

. One of Manawatu's most memorable matches was the 1981 encounter against South Africa. Manawatu led 9–4 at halftime and with minutes to go the score was 19–19. The clash between the national champions and the 'test' strength Springboks was headed for a climax worthy of such an event. In the final analysis,

Naas Botha Hendrik Egnatius 'Naas' Botha (born 27 February 1958) is a South African former rugby union player, who played for Northern Transvaal and South Africa (the Springboks). He was voted ''Rugby Player of the Year'' in 1979, 1981, 1985 and 1987. Bo ...

was the difference between the two sides. In the final minutes he scored a long range penalty, a dropped goal and a sideline conversion to lead the 'Boks home to a flattering 31–19 victory. The Manawatu verses Springbok game was the first to witness the Police riot squads patrolling the streets as a pre-emptive measure, as opposed to them just turning up once trouble started. The day was generally incident free. In 1983 the Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team put Manawatu last on their list of challengers for that season. In 1985, Manawatu celebrated a centenary for its club competition and in 1986, the union's centenary. Late 1980s to mid 2000s - second division In 1988, the union was relegated to the second division for the first time. Manawatu, based in the second division, was reduced to a 'feeder' role, losing players to other unions. Lee Stensness starred in a 58–24 win over Ireland in 1992. In 1996 Manawatu and Hawke's Bay merged their teams to form the

Central Vikings Rugby Union Central Vikings Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played in the second division of the NPC for two seasons in 1997 and 1998. The team, formed from the merger of the Hawke's Bay and Manawatu unions, featured current and future Al ...

. It was an attempt to elevate both unions back to the first division. Players such as

Mark Allen Mark may refer to: Currency * Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina * East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic * Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927 * Finn ...

Christian Cullen Christian Mathias Cullen (born 12 February 1976) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand (the All Blacks), for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later ...

Mark Ranby Richard Mark Ranby (born 1 June 1977) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A midfield back, Ranby represented Manawatu, the Central Vikings and Waikato at a provincial level, and the Hurricanes and the Chiefs in Super Rugby. He played ...

Stephen Bachop Stephen John Bachop (born 2 April 1966 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand rugby union player and current coach. He is the older brother of fellow former All Black, Graeme Bachop. Rugby career Bachop had two spells in the National Provinc ...

and

Roger Randle Roger Quentin Randle (born 15 May 1974 in Hastings, New Zealand) is a New Zealander, New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a Wing (rugby union), wing for the All Blacks. He is currently assistant coach for Chiefs and Maori All Bla ...

featured in the team. The 1997 season saw them finish second overall with 6 wins and 2 losses. This saw the team into the semi-finals. In the semi-final, the Vikings would go on to beat Bay of Plenty and came up against Northland in the final. Northland won the final 63–10. Northland were thus promoted to the first division. However, had the Vikings won, they would not have been eligible to be promoted. 1998 saw a repeat of form for the Vikings who went unbeaten in the season. They subsequently won the final against Bay of Plenty and were promoted to first division. However, due to financial issues, the merger split back to Manawatu and Hawke's Bay as separate unions. Manawatu returned in 1999 to the second division. Manawatu began the new millennium firmly fixed in the second-tier competition. In 2005, Manawatu were heavily defeated 6–109 by the touring

British and Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...

at Palmerston North. 2006 onwards - return to the first division In 2005, Manawatu were invited along with four other unions, reduced to three after an amalgamation of Nelson Bays and Marlborough into Tasman, to play in the first division of a restructured

National Provincial Championship The National Provincial Championship may refer to: * National Provincial Championship (1976–2005), original competition before reform into 14 sides * National Provincial Championship (2006–present) The National Provincial Championship, o ...

, initially called (for sponsorship purposes) the Air New Zealand Cup. It was the first time since 1988 Manawatu had fielded a team in the top grade and unlike the 1980s it was now a professional rugby competition. In 2009, Central Energy Trust Arena was the venue for a Highlanders home game against the Bulls from South Africa. Fly-half

Aaron Cruden Aaron Wiremu Cruden (born 8 January 1989) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for Chiefs and formerly Montpellier, Manawatu and New Zealand internationally. Cruden's usual position is first five-eighth (fly half). Early life Crud ...

was selected for the

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...

in 2010. He was the first All Black chosen whilst playing for the union since

in 1996. Manawatu hosted two matches during the

2011 Rugby World Cup The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board (IRB) selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Af ...

. In 2011, a resurgent Manawatu Turbos side defeated the Wellington Lions 31–25 in Wellington. It was Manawatu's first competition win over Wellington in the capital, after 124 years of trying. Also in 2011, Manawatu scored 54 points against Waikato team at Arena Manawatu. The Turbos led 35–17 at halftime, eventually winning 54–20. This kept the Turbos unbeaten at home for the season. In 2012, Manawatu scored its first victory away to North Harbour. The win at home against Hawke's Bay made Manawatu one of the few Championship teams to beat a Premiership team. In 2012, Aaron Smith was selected in the All Blacks after fine performances with Manawatu and the Highlanders. Smith joining Aaron Cruden meant for the first time since 1986, two All Blacks came from Manawatu.

Club Rugby

The Manawatu rugby union includes the following clubs:

Hankins Shield Senior A Club competition winners

* 1987 Varsity (coached by Murray Kendrick) * 1988 Varsity (Murray Kendrick) * 1989 HSOB (Ian Colquhoun) * 1990 College OB (Bill Clarke) * 1991 College OB (Bill Clarke) * 1992 Marist (Frank Oliver) * 1993 Kia Toa (Warren Hayne) * 1994 Feilding OB (Roger Walker) * 1995 Marist (John Fisher) * 1996 Oroua (Wayne Harding) * 1997 Te Kawau (Geoff Webb) * 1998 Marist (Mark Gleeson) * 1999 Te Kawau (Geoff Webb) * 2000 Te Kawau (Peter Kemp) 20-17 Marist * 2001 HSOB (Lewis Williams) 21-19 COB * 2002 Te Kawau (Stu Trembath) 16-11 Marist * 2003 Te Kawau (Stu Trembath) 23-16 Marist * 2004 Varsity (Steve Morris) 26-8 HSOB * 2005 College OB (Graeme Tanner) 27-16 Feilding Old Boys * 2006 College OB (Dean Andrew) 13-0 Varsity * 2007 College OB (John Cruden) 33-18 Feilding * 2008 Kia Toa (Tasi Tahuna) 11-6 Te Kawa * 2009 Kia Toa (Anthony Rehutai) 29-23 Varsity * 2010 Varsity (Geoff Thompson) 11-10 Feilding Old Boys-Oroua * 2011 Varsity (Geoff Thompson) 29-27 Te Kawa * 2012 College OB (Aaron Good) 34-20 Varsity * 2013 Kia Toa 37-15 Varsity * 2014 College Old Boys 21-10 Kia Toa * 2015 College Old Boys 32-21 Kia Toa * 2016 Varsity 18-17 Kia Toa * 2017 Old Boys Marist 28-27 Kia Toa * 2018 Feilding Old Boys-Oroua 24-22 Feilding * 2019 Feilding 16-14 Varsity * 2020 Feilding 27-24 Varsity * 2021 Feilding 22-18 Varsity * 2022 College Old Boys 24-5 Old Boys Marist

Manawatu representative players

Centurions - 100 matches for Manawatu

Manawatu All Blacks

In New Zealand, to be selected to the All Blacks is the pinnacle of rugby achievement. In its history, Manawatu have produced many players who have been selected for the national team. Bold = indicates current player ♦ = indicates a club amalgamated with another ♥ = indicates a club no longer in the Manawatu Rugby Union ♣ = a club no longer extant

All Blacks formerly from Manawatu

Manawatu players in Super Rugby

Manawatu is in the

Hurricanes A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...

catchment area, along with

Poverty Bay Poverty Bay (Māori: ''Tūranganui-a-Kiwa'') is the largest of several small bays on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island to the north of Hawke Bay. It stretches for from Young Nick's Head in the southwest to Tuaheni Point in the north ...

East Coast East Coast may refer to: Entertainment * East Coast hip hop, a subgenre of hip hop * East Coast (ASAP Ferg song), "East Coast" (ASAP Ferg song), 2017 * East Coast (Saves the Day song), "East Coast" (Saves the Day song), 2004 * East Coast FM, a ra ...

, Horowhenua Kapiti, Wairarapa-Bush and

. Current or recent Manawatu players who have played for the Hurricanes: * Chris Eves *

Nehe Milner-Skudder Nehe Rihara Milner-Skudder (born 15 December 1990) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for the Rugby New York. He was selected for the All Blacks in 2015, and was a key member of 2015 Rugby World Cup winning team. He scored ...

Ngani Laumape Koinonia Halafungani Laumape (born 22 April 1993) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who currently plays as a centre for Kobelco Kobe Steelers. Laumape previously played in Super Rugby for the Hurricanes and was previously a rugby league ...

Otere Black Otere Black (born 4 May 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a first five-eighth for in the Mitre 10 Cup and the Blues in Super Rugby. Domestic career Manawatu Black attended Hato Paora College for four years befor ...

* Liam Mitchell *

Andre Taylor Andre Taylor (born 11 January 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the fullback (and occasionally wing or centre) position and most recently played for Kintetsu Liners of Japan, and previously played for the Wellington-based ...

* Jamie Booth * Fraser Armstrong In recent times, Manawatu have also provided players to each of the other New Zealand Super Rugby franchises. Manawatu Players who have played for the Crusaders: *

Michael Ala'alatoa Michael Savea Ala'alatoa (born 28 August 1991) is a rugby union professional player who currently plays as a prop for Leinster in the united rugby championship and Heineken Champions Cup competitions. Early life Born into a rugby household wh ...

(current) Manawatu Players who have played for the Highlanders: * Aaron Smith (current) * Jason Emery *

Maʻafu Fia Ma'afu Fia (born 22 November 1989) is a Tongan International rugby union prop who most recently played rugby for Ospreys in the URC, having previously represented the Highlanders in Super Rugby. Early life Fia was born in Tonga and moved to ...

Johnny Leota Johnny Leota (born 21 January 1984) is a Samoan rugby union player who played for Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership. Leota was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand and made his international debut for Samoa in 2011; he has since won 20 ca ...

Hayden Triggs Hayden Triggs (born 22 February 1982) is a New Zealand former rugby union player who played as a lock. He last played for Leinster in the Pro14. Provincial A former Army mechanic, Triggs was a long-time regular in the Manawatu side, earning 7 ...

* Nick Crosswell * Doug Tietjens Manawatu Players who have played for the Chiefs: *

* Michael Fitzgerald * Asaeli Tikoirotuma * Nick Crosswell Manawatu players who have played for the Blues: * Hamish Northcott

Other distinguished current and former players

Kurt Baker Kurt Baker (born 7 October 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a fullback or wing for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR). Between 2008 and 2022, Baker played for the New Zealand Sevens team in 233 World ...

– moved to Taranaki; played Super Rugby for Highlanders. * Josh Bradnock – Foundation Turbo – Captain, 60+ Games, Hurricanes player who would have played many Super games if career was not lost to multiple tendon injuries. * John Brady - Played 15 matches for Auckland 1960–65. Trialled for the Wallabies in 1966, but was not selected due to nationality issues. * Hugh Blair – 1970s winger, Ranfurly Shield hero and crowd favourite, from the Varsity Club of Massey University. Instantly recognisable with his long blond hair, headband and beard. Went on to lecture at Auckland University. * Francisco Bosch (rugby union) – (2006–08) Foundation Turbo. Represented Argentina for tests vs Chile, Japan, Samoa and South Africa in 2004–05. Also a former Sevens player for Argentina. *

Jim Carroll James Dennis Carroll (August 1, 1949 – September 11, 2009) was an American author, poet, autobiographer, and punk musician. Carroll was best known for his 1978 autobiographical work '' The Basketball Diaries'', which inspired a 1995 film of ...

– The son of Manawatu All Black

Alphonsus Carroll Alphonsus "Fonse" John Carroll (20 April 1895 in Mataura – 1 December 1974 in Palmerston North) was a New Zealand dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, who represented New Zealand in both co ...

, he was an outstanding first-five eighth during Manawatu's Ranfurly Shield reign from 1976 to 1978. Scored the winning try from a charge-down in the 15–10 win over Counties in 1977. This shield defence was perhaps Manawatu's most memorable. * Denis Clare – hooker during the Ranfurly Shield and National Championship winning era. * Nick Crosswell – (2006–14) Foundation Turbo; Captain (2009–13); played Super Rugby for Chiefs (2013–15) having also played previously for Highlanders. * Michael Fitzgerald (2010–14) Turbo; played Super Rugby for Chiefs * Alan Innes – from the early Hamer years. * Andrew McMaster – Represented the NZ Combined Services. An exciting winger who transferred to Manawatu's Ohakea Air Force Base in 1984. Prior to this he starred for Canterbury during their memorable

Ranfurly Shield The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Shield is based on a challenge system. The holding union must defend the shield in challeng ...

era (1982–85). *

Hadleigh Parkes Hadleigh William Parkes (born 5 October 1987) is a New Zealand-born Welsh international rugby union player, whose favoured position is at the centre. He currently plays for the Black Rams Tokyo in the Japan Rugby League One. Parkes also has a ...

(2010) - After relocating to Auckland in 2011 played Super Rugby for the Blues (2012), Southern Kings, South Africa (2013) and Hurricanes (2014). * Terry Sole – Loose forward during the early, and most successful, Hamer years. * Alex Tatana – Midfielder – Hamer years, early to mid-1980s. *

– Fullback/wing – Former Turbo, moved to Taranaki; played Super Rugby for Hurricanes. *

– Lock – Has represented the Māori All Blacks. He played Super Rugby for the Hurricanes and Highlanders. He played in Japan before returning to the Blues and North Harbour. 50+ Games for Manawatu. * Ian Wood – Midfielder who came close to All Black selection in 1985–86. Considered unlucky not to have been selected for cancelled 1985 tour of South Africa and subsequent replacement tour to Argentina.

Coaches

Jack Gleeson Jack Gleeson (born 20 May 1992) is an Irish actor who played Joffrey Baratheon on the HBO television series ''Game of Thrones'' (2011–2014). Following this role, Gleeson took a hiatus from acting, but has since taken part in independent thea ...

: Coach of the New Zealand national under-21 rugby union team from 1975 to 1976 and the All Blacks from 1977 to 1978. * Owen Gleeson * Graham Hamer: Coached the Ranfurly Shield and National Championship winning teams of the 1970s and 1980s. * Kevin Eveleigh (1987): All Black Flanker 1974–77. *

: Former All Black half-back. *

– 1995–96. Later coached the Central Vikings, Hurricanes and Blues. * Ken Maharey and Andrew McMaster (Assistant). * Peter Kemp *

Charlie McAlister Charlie McAlister is a former Scotland national rugby league team, Scotland international rugby league footballer who played as a professional in England and Australia. Playing career McAlister played for the Newcastle Knights in 1988. He then ...

Dave Rennie Dave Rennie (born 22 November 1963) is a New Zealand and Cook Islands professional rugby union coach and former player who is the head coach of the Australia national rugby union team, having previously coached New Zealand sides the Chiefs, , ...

(2005–11): Foundation Manawatu Turbos coach. Left at the end of 2011 season to become 2012 coach of Chiefs. The Chiefs subsequently won back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. Current head coach of

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. *

Jason O'Halloran Jason David O'Halloran (born 28 February 1972 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand) is an All Black cap and rugby union coach. He is now the Assistant Coach at Suntory Sungoliath. He was the Assistant Coach of Glasgow Warriors. Before that he was an Assi ...

(2011–2015): Assistant and successor of Dave Rennie. Coach of the ITM Cup Championship winning team of 2014 leading to promotion to the ITM Cup Premiership in 2015. * Jeremy Cotter (2016–2018): Assistant to Jason O'Halloran before being promoted to the Head Coach role. Brother of

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

coach,

Vern Cotter Vern is a masculine given name, often a short form (hypocorism) of Vernon, Lavern or other names. People named Vern include: * Vernon Vern Bakalich (1929–2015), New Zealand rugby league player * Verdi Vern Barberis (1928–2005), Australian w ...

. * Peter Russell (2019 - ): Formerly coach of Marist St Pats (Wellington), Wairarapa Bush, Hawkes Bay, Newcastle Falcons and Japanese club NEC Green Rockets.

Support

Fans of Manawatu rugby are known throughout the rugby community in New Zealand for their habit of wearing plastic garden buckets cut to shape over their heads during matches. As such, fans of the provincial side have picked up the self-named nickname of "Bucketheads".

Theme Songs

Manawatu had two theme songs during their 'glory' years, which were played on radio '2ZA' in the days leading up to the big games on Saturday. They were: * A Ranfurly Shield theme song 1976–78 (sung to the melody of the American civil war song ''When Johnny Comes Marching Home''): ''"We're Manawatu, we've got the shield huh rah, huh rah!..."'' * A later song (early 1980s) was used prior to NPC and Ranfurly Shield challenges: ''"We'll pass the ball and run it, green and white! And let them feel the power of country might!..."'' * A much earlier song, ''On The Ball'', was sung at Manawatu games during its foundation years and beyond. According to Manawatu rugby historian, Clive Akers, it was composed in Palmerston North by team captain Ted Secker and was 'made famous by the 1888 Native team that toured Britain'. Akers said further 'it would rate as Manawatu's greatest contribution to the rugby world'. Its chorus went: ''"On the Ball! On the Ball! On the Ball! Thro' scrummage, three-quarters and all, sticking together we keep on the leather, and shout as we go, On the Ball!"''

Women's Rugby: Manawatu Cyclones

Manawatu Cyclones is the women's representative team. The Cyclones wear the same green and white tramline jersey design as the men's team.

Women's Provincial Championship

In 2005, the team was promoted from the Second Division. In 2006, however, Manawatu did not win a game in the competition, which saw the team play against the likes of Auckland, Wellington and Otago. Manawatu drew with Hawke's Bay. In 2012, the Women's Provincial Championship format was a full round robin of six teams playing six rounds (each team with one bye round). The Cyclones began with a bye. Wins for the Cyclones were over Waikato, Wellington and Hawke's Bay. Unfortunately large losses to Otago and eventual finalists Auckland and Canterbury and missing crucial bonus points, meant the Cyclones did not make the post-season. Notable Cyclones: Current * Carys Dallinger * Marilyn Live * Rachael Rakatau * Janna Vaughan * Kaipo Olsen-Baker * Selica Winiata * Sarah Goss Past *

Farah Palmer Dame Farah Rangikoepa Palmer (born 27 November 1972) is a professor at Massey University and a former captain of New Zealand's women's rugby union team, the Black Ferns. Youth and early career Palmer was born in Te Kuiti, New Zealand and rais ...

* Rebecca Mahoney

NZ Rugby Museum

Palmerston North is the home of the

New Zealand Rugby Museum The New Zealand Rugby Museum, based in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is a museum dedicated to the sport of Rugby union. Founded by John Sinclair and modeled after the Trophy Room in Cardiff Arms Park in Wales, the museum's collections include eq ...

and also the Sport & Rugby Institute at the Turitea Campus,

Massey University Massey University ( mi, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa) is a university based in Palmerston North, New Zealand, with significant campuses in Albany and Wellington. Massey University has approximately 30,883 students, 13,796 of whom are extramural or ...

References

External links

Official Site
{{Manawatu Rugby Union New Zealand rugby union teams New Zealand rugby union governing bodies Sport in Manawatū-Whanganui Sport in Palmerston North Sports organizations established in 1886