The Manawatu Rugby Football Union (MRU) serves as the governing body of the sport of rugby union in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand.
Founded in 1886, Manawatu is one of New Zealand's oldest rugby unions. In 1892, the MRU, amongst other unions, played a pivotal role in establishing the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). During 1997–1998, Manawatu entered into an amalgamation with Hawke's Bay, as the "Central Vikings", wearing orange and blue attire.
The union is based in the city of Palmerston North though its catchment area includes players and clubs from nearby towns in the province, including Ashhurst, Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Woodville and Dannevirke. 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.
Contents
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, 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 at Pukekura Park. 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. Manawatu also provided J.F. Manning to referee a match in 1905 between Auckland and Wellington.
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 in 1976 to win the 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 Counties side from taking the Shield back to Pukekohe for the first time.
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
Manawatu representative players
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.
♦ = indicates a club amalgamated with another
♥ = indicates a club no longer in the Manawatu Rugby Union
♣ = a club no longer extant
Manawatu players in Super Rugby
Manawatu is in the Hurricanes catchment area, along with Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Wairarapa-Bush and Wellington. However players from Manawatu may be selected and signed by any of the Super Rugby franchises.
Manawatu players who have played for Super Rugby teams are:
Other distinguished players
Kurt Baker – 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 – The son of Manawatu All Black Alphonsus Carroll, 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.
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 era (1982–85).
Terry Sole – Loose forward during the early, and most successful, Hamer years.
Coaches
Jack Gleeson: (1965-69) - 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 (1970-74)
Graham Hamer: (1975-86) - Coached the Ranfurly Shield and National Championship winning teams of the 1970s and 1980s.
Kevin Eveleigh (1987): All Black Flanker 1974–77.
Gary Walker (1988).
Garth Thelin, assisted by Donnie McCaskie (1989). Under Thelin the team only lost one 2nd division championship match (against Southland who were promoted) but he was replaced after this one season.
Mark Donaldson: (1990-92) - Former All Black half-back.
Ian Snook: (1993-94)
Frank Oliver: (1995–97) - Later coached the Central Vikings, Hurricanes and Blues.
Ken Maharey and Andrew McMaster (Assistant): (2001-03)
Peter Kemp: (2004)
Charlie McAlister: (2005)
Dave Rennie (2006–11): 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. Coached Australia.
Jason O'Halloran (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 coach, Vern Cotter.
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:
Carys Dallinger
Sarah Hirini
Marilyn Live
Rebecca Mahoney
Kaipo Olsen-Baker
Farah Palmer
Rachael Rakatau
Janna Vaughan
Selica Winiata
New Zealand Rugby Museum
Palmerston North is the home of the New Zealand Rugby Museum and also the Sport & Rugby Institute at the Turitea Campus, Massey University.