About Rugby

Our National Game
On May 14, 1870, Nelson College played Nelson Football Club and so the first rugby game in New Zealand was played. Today, rugby is New Zealand's national game, and forms an integral part of our culture and identity.

The International Rugby Board (IRB), with its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, is the World Governing and Law-making body for the game of Rugby Union. Rugby is currently played in more than 100 countries and the IRB membership encompasses 92 national Unions. In New Zealand, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) administers the game at national level.

Our national side, the All Blacks, have become the most feared opponent in the sport. This international success is built on the strength of grassroots rugby - the schools, clubs, and representative teams of New Zealand's 27 provincial unions.

The All Black Haka

Laws of the Game
The IRB establishes and documents all rugby laws. Full details are available from the IRB website.

ITM Cup
Organised by the NZRFU, the ITM Cup is arguably the world's best provincial rugby competition. The ITM Cup involves 14 premier unions with the remaining unions competing in the Heartland Championship.» more about the NPC...

Super 15
The Super 15 is a regional rugby competition involving teams from three of the world's strongest rugby nations - New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. » more about the Super 14...

Manawatu All Blacks

Manawatu All Blacks (selected while playing with Manawatu):
Sam Cockroft, John Mowlem, Graham Shannon, Alex McMinn, Archie McMinn, Phonse Carroll, Arthur Law, Rod McKenzie, Jack Finlay, Stu Freebairn, Keith Bagley, Brian Finlay, Ron Horsley, Sam Strahan, Mike O'Callaghan, Bob Burgess, Kent Lambert, John Callesen, Kevin Eveleigh, Perry Harris, Ken Granger, Doug Rollerson, Mark Donaldson, Gary Knight, John Loveday, Lachie Cameron, Mark Shaw, Geoff Old, Frank Oliver, Craig Wickes, Mark Finlay, Bruce Hemara, Kevin Schuler, Chresten Davis, Christian Cullen, Mark Allen, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith.

Players who rep Manawatu then moved away to become All Blacks:
John Buxton, Graham Delamore, Keith Gudsell, John Hotop, Brian Molloy, Dick Myers, Bob Olipant, Syd Orchard, Keith Reid, Bob Stuart, Kel Tremain, Murray Watts, Wilson Whineray, Jason Hewett, Jason Eaton, Lee Stensness, Mark Ranby, Dion Waller

Players who were All Blacks before coming and representing Manawatu:
Lewis Allen, Mick Bremner, Ken Elliott, Duncan Hales, Robbie McLean, Jim Ryan, Jack Stalker, Henry Wilson, Marty Berry, Steve Bachop.

Andy Haden and Greg Davis (Wallaby captain) both played club rugby while at Massey University.

All Blacks David Kirk and Richard 'Tiny' White received education in Palmerston North.

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