New Zealand Maori rugby union team - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

New Zealand Māori is a rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

team that traditionally plays teams touring New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to have Māori whakapapa

Whakapapa

Whakapapa , or genealogy, is a fundamental principle that permeates the whole of Māori culture. However, it is more than just a genealogical 'device'...

or genealogy

Genealogy

Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...

. In the past this rule was not strictly applied. In the past non-Māori players who looked Māori were often selected in the team. These included a few Island players and a couple of African descent. Today all players have their ancestry verified before selection in the team and there is a 1/16 maori blood requirement
Although the rugby union team does not compete in the World Cup

Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....

, it competed in the Churchill Cup

Churchill Cup

The Churchill Cup was an annual rugby union tournament, held in June, contested by representative men's teams from Canada, England, the United States, and other invited teams from a wide array of countries....

, which it won in 2004

2004 Churchill Cup

The 2004 Churchill Cup was held between 14 June and 21 June 2004 in Calgary and Edmonton, Canada. It was the second edition of the Churchill Cup competition...

and 2006

2006 Churchill Cup

The 2006 Churchill Cup is a Rugby Union competition, typically between the second teams of various top tier international Rugby nations and the first teams of traditionally less prominent teams, such as Canada and the USA. It first began on June 3, 2006 and ended on June 17. The 2006 competition...

History

In 1888–89, the 'New Zealand Natives

1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team

The 1888–1889 New Zealand Native football team was a New Zealand football team that toured Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1888 and 1889. The team was composed mainly of players of Māori ancestry, although several Pakeha were included in the squad. The tour was a private endeavour, and was...

' were the first overseas team to tour the Home Nations

Home Nations

Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom...

. At first the team was meant to comprise only Māori, but four "whites" were finally included to strengthen the combination. Before leaving New Zealand the team played nine matches for seven wins and two losses; and two matches (one won, one drawn) at Melbourne on the way to Europe. Once in the UK, they played three or four times a week for a total of 74 games for 49 wins, five drawn games, and 20 losses. Ireland were beaten (13–4) in Dublin, but Wales won (5–0) in Swansea, and England won (7–0) at Blackheath. They won 14 games on their return to Australia and seven of the eight played in New Zealand.

One of the New Zealand Natives' greatest legacies was the haka

Haka of the All Blacks

The Haka is a traditional Maori war dance from New Zealand. There are thousands of Haka that are performed by various tribes and cultural groups throughout New Zealand. The best known Haka of them all is called "Ka Mate". It has been performed by countless New Zealand teams both locally and...

, a traditional Māori posture dance with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet, to the accompaniment of rhythmically shouted words; this was first performed during a match on 3 October against Surrey. The haka was later adopted by the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks

All Blacks

The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....

, as were their black shirts (previous New Zealand sides had worn navy blue).

Since being given official status in 1910, the New Zealand Māori have produced some of world rugby union's most outstanding athletes, including fullback George Nepia

George Nepia

George Nepia was a Māori rugby union and rugby league player. He is remembered as an exceptional full-back and one of the most famous Māori rugby players. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2004 he was selected as number 65 by the panel of the New Zealand's Top...

who played 46 games for the All Blacks

All Blacks

The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....

from 1924–30, halfback Sid Going

Sid Going

Sid Going MBE is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. Dubbed Super Sid by his fans, he played 86 matches, including 29 tests for the All Blacks between 1967 and 1977....

who played 86 matches for his country and former All Blacks captain Tane Norton

Tane Norton

Rangitane Will "Tane" Norton MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union player. He played at the hooker position...

, who represented New Zealand in 61 games, including 27 tests, and later became President of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The 1926–27 touring side, captained by Walter Barclay MM, is considered the best ever Māori team. In a seven-month tour which took place in Australia, Ceylon, France, Wales and Canada, the side played 38 matches, winning 29, losing seven and drawing two. Full-back George Nepia was left at home after missing the boat from Wellington.

In 2001, the Māori first performed the "Timatanga" haka

Haka

Haka is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment...

, which describes the evolution of life and the creation of New Zealand from the four winds.

The team lost only four of its 26 games played between 1994 and 2004, including beating England

England national rugby union team

The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...

, Argentina

Argentina national rugby union team

The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...

, Scotland

Scotland national rugby union team

The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...

and Fiji

Fiji national rugby union team

The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...

. The Māori continued their winning form in 2004 beating England A (now known as England Saxons

England Saxons

England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...

) in extra time in the final of the Churchill Cup

Churchill Cup

in Canada.

In 2005 the Māori beat the British and Irish Lions

British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...

for the first time in an official match. Their preparations for this match forced them to withdraw from the 2005 Churchill Cup

2005 Churchill Cup

The 2005 Churchill Cup was held between 14 June and 21 June 2005 in Edmonton, Canada. It was the third edition of the Churchill Cup competition...

. They returned to that competition in 2006, defeating Ireland A

Ireland A national rugby union team

The Ireland Wolfhounds are the second national rugby union team behind the Irish national side. They have previously competed in the Churchill Cup together with the England Saxons and the full national teams of Canada and the United States as well as selection of other nations' 1st, 2nd and 3rd...

and the USA

United States national rugby union team

USA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...

in pool play in Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...

and Scotland A

Scotland A national rugby union team

The Scotland A team are the second national rugby union team behind the Scottish national side.-History:Scotland's status as one of the leading rugby nations in the Northern Hemisphere, made the SRU to field a second team, first known as Scotland XV, and currently as Scotland A, which can play at...

in the final in Edmonton, Alberta.

Matt Te Pou is the longest serving New Zealand Maori coach.

Pacific Nations Cup

The Pacific Nations Cup is an international rugby union competition held between six Pacific rim sides; Fiji

Fiji national rugby union team

, Japan, Western Samoa

Samoa national rugby union team

The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...

, Tonga

Tonga national rugby union team

The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...

, Australia A and New Zealand Māori. The Junior All Blacks

Junior All Blacks

The Junior All Blacks are a New Zealand rugby union team. The Junior All Blacks are not an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby union team....

(New Zealand's second XVs, not an underage team) used to compete in it.

New Zealand Maori also replaced the Junior All Blacks in the 2008 Cup

2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup

The 2008 Pacific Nations Cup was a rugby union tournament held between six national sides on the Pacific Rim: Australia A, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand Māori . The inaugural competition was held in 2006. This year the tournament started on 7 June and ended on 6 July 2008.The tournament...

, where they were undefeated champions, narrowly beating Australia A in the final game of the tournament. The team did not compete in the 2008 Churchill Cup

2008 Churchill Cup

The 2008 Churchill Cup took place between 7 June and 21 June 2008 in what was the sixth year of the tournament. Six rugby union teams took part: , England Saxons, Ireland A, Scotland A, the , and an Argentinian XV.-Participation:...

Centenary Series

In 2010 to celebrate the Centenary of New Zealand's Maori Rugby team, a special commemorative stamp has been issued by New Zealand Post to pay tribute to the players, coaches, administrators and supporters who have taken New Zealand Maori rugby through the decades, overcoming challenges to emerge stronger and more relevant than ever.

Games

NZ Maori 37 vs New Zealand Barbarians

New Zealand Barbarians

The New Zealand Barbarians, nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", are an invitational rugby union team which have been a major part of New Zealand rugby since they were founded in 1937. They are based on the concept of Barbarian F.C...

31

NZ Maori 31 vs Ireland

Ireland national rugby union team

The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...

28

NZ Maori 35 vs England

England national rugby union team

Current squad

2010 New Zealand Māori squad for the Centenary series:

Backs
Player	Position	Club
Aaron Smith Aaron Smith (rugby union) Aaron Smith is a rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition and for Manawatu in the ITM Cup.-Provincial Rugby:...	Scrum-half	Manawatu Manawatu Rugby Union Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...
Chris Smylie Chris Smylie Chris Smylie is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays at halfback. Although he made his provincial debut for North Harbour in 2002, he currently plays for Otago in the NPC and the Highlanders in the Super 14, and has been named in the New Zealand Māori squad for 2006.Smylie was named NPC...	Scrum-half	North Harbour North Harbour Rugby Union The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
Ruki Tipuna Ruki Tipuna Ruki Tipuna is a New Zealand rugby union footballer currently playing for British Championship side Bristol Rugby. His position is scrum half.He has previously played for Scarlets, Bay of Plenty Steamers and Wellington....	Scrum-half	Wellington Wellington Rugby Football Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
Stephen Brett Stephen Brett Stephen Brett is a rugby union player who plays for the Blues in the Super 14 and Canterbury in the Air New Zealand Cup.-Career:...	Fly-half	Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
Willie Ripia Willie Ripia Willie Ripia is a rugby union player for the Western Force in the Super 15 competition. He plays as a first five-eighth. He was born in Murupara, New Zealand. Ripia attended Rotorua Boys' High School....	Fly-half	Taranaki
Luke McAlister Luke McAlister Charles Luke McAlister is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays first five-eighths and second five-eighths ....	Centre	North Harbour North Harbour Rugby Union The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
Dwayne Sweeney Dwayne Sweeney Dwayne Sweeney is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for the Waikato Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition and Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup...	Centre	Waikato Waikato Rugby Union The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
Jackson Willison	Centre	Waikato Waikato Rugby Union The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
Hosea Gear Hosea Gear Hosea Gear is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays for the Highlanders in the Super 15 competition as a wing. He has played six international matches for New Zealand and scored five tries...	Wing	Wellington Wellington Rugby Football Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
Sean Maitland Sean Maitland Sean Daniel Maitland is a New Zealand Rugby Union player who plays for the Crusaders in the Super 15. He also plays provincial rugby for Canterbury.-Early life:Sean Maitland was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand on 14 September 1988...	Wing	Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
Robbie Robinson Robbie Robinson (rugby player) Robbie Robinson is a professional rugby union player who represents the Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition and Southland in the ITM Cup.-Playing Career:...	Fullback	Southland
Andre Taylor	Fullback	Manawatu Manawatu Rugby Union Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...

Forwards
Player	Position	Club
Dane Coles	Hooker	Wellington Wellington Rugby Football Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
Corey Flynn Corey Flynn Corey Flynn is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays in the position of hooker. He was educated at Southland Boys' High School.-Provincial:He played provincial for Southland until he moved to Canterbury in 2003....	Hooker	Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
Ben Afeaki	Prop	North Harbour North Harbour Rugby Union The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
Jacob Ellison Jacob Ellison Jacob Ellison is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays for the Hurricanes in the Super 14. He is the younger brother of teammate and utility back Tamati Ellison. Jacob plays the position of prop...	Prop	Wellington Wellington Rugby Football Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
Bronson Murray Bronson Murray Bronson Murray is a rugby union prop who currently plays provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty in the ITM Cup and the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition.-Provincial Rugby:...	Prop	Northland Northland Rugby Union The Northland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Northland region of New Zealand.-History:Rugby was first played in Northland in the 1870s, and the first union was set up in the province in 1895, known as the Marsden Football Union. The Northland union was founded in...
Clint Newland Clint Newland Clint Newland is a New Zealand Rugby Union player, currently playing with the . He was born in Dannevirke and attended New Plymouth Boys' High School as a boarder. Newland has been playing for Hawkes Bay since 1999, where he debuted against Poverty Bay. He played in every match until 2007 when he...	Prop	Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay Rugby Union The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.-Representative rugby:... / Leinster Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
Romana Graham	Lock	Waikato Waikato Rugby Union The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
Daniel Ramsay Daniel Ramsay Daniel Ramsay is a rugby union footballer who plays as a lock for Otago in the ITM Cup.-Rugby career:Ramsay made his debut for Southland in their final game of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup...	Lock	Wellington Wellington Rugby Football Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
Isaac Ross Isaac Ross Isaac Ross is a New Zealand Rugby Union player who has represented New Zealand in international rugby since 2009. He currently plays for the Chiefs in the Super 14, and also plays provincial rugby for Canterbury He is the son of former All Black Jock Ross...	Lock	Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
Hayden Triggs Hayden Triggs Hayden Triggs is a professional rugby union player who plays at lock for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and represents Waikato in the ITM Cup.-Provincial Rugby:...	Lock	Otago Otago Rugby Football Union The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
Jarrad Hoeata Jarrad Hoeata Jarrad Hoeata is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and represents Taranaki in the ITM Cup...	Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards...	Taranaki
Tanerau Latimer Tanerau Latimer Tanerau Dylan Latimer is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and the Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup.-Super Rugby:...	Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards...	Bay of Plenty Bay of Plenty Rugby Union The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the official governing body for rugby union in the Bay of Plenty, in the North-East of the North Island...
Karl Lowe Karl Lowe Karl Lowe is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He currently plays at Openside Flanker for the Hurricanes.-Career:...	Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards...	Hawke's Bay Hawke's Bay Rugby Union The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.-Representative rugby:...
Colin Bourke	Number eight	Bay of Plenty Bay of Plenty Rugby Union The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the official governing body for rugby union in the Bay of Plenty, in the North-East of the North Island...
Liam Messam Liam Messam Liam Messam is a rugby union player who plays for Waikato in the ITM Cup and for the Chiefs in Super Rugby. He has also played for the New Zealand Maori in the 2006 Churchill Cup and was in the New Zealand sevens team that won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games... (c) Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...	Number eight	Waikato Waikato Rugby Union The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...

Notable former players

Walter Barclay
Walter Barclay
Lt. Col. Walter Patrick Barclay was a British soldier.-Life and career:Barclay was the son of Theodore Charles Barclay and Elizbeth Mary Barclay...

MM
Christian Cullen
Christian Cullen
Christian Mathias Cullen is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand , for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at first-class level. He was nicknamed the Paekakariki Express...
Eric Rush
Eric Rush
Eric James Rush is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and a Rugby Sevens legend, arguably one of the greatest Sevens players to grace the game...
Mathew Berquist
Zinzan Brooke
Zinzan Brooke
Zinzan Valentine Brooke is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer who played at number eight...
Ron Cribb
Ron Cribb
Ronald Te Huia Cribb is a real estate agent and formerNew Zealand rugby union player. A very talented loose forward, the 1.94 m, 110 kg Cribb is a former All Black, and mainly plays number eight.- Career :...
Rhys Duggan
Troy Flavell
Troy Flavell
Troy Vandem Flavell is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for Bayonne in the French Top 14. Flavell has won 22 caps for New Zealand, and mainly plays lock. He is known for his power in the scrum and his repeated foul play...
Rico Gear
Rico Gear
Rico Levi Gear is a New Zealand rugby union international player. He is a specialist right wing but can also cover midfield positions. He currently plays for Kintetsu Liners in the Top League....
Carl Hayman
Carl Hayman
Carl Hayman is an international rugby union footballer who has played at tighthead prop for Otago at provincial level, the Highlanders in the Super 14 and the All Blacks at international level...
Gavin Hill
Gavin Hill
Gavin Lyle Hill was a rugby league and rugby union player, who has resided in Wellington for the last 10 years before moving back to Auckland to take a coaching position in the Air New Zealand Cup....
Marty Holah
Marty Holah
Martin Rowan "Marty" Holah is a New Zealand rugby union player, who has played for Welsh regional side Ospreys, the Waikato provincial team and the Chiefs Super 14 rugby franchise. Holah was capped in 36 international test matches for the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks...
Glen Jackson
Glen Jackson (rugby player)
Glen Warwick Jackson is a former New Zealand rugby union player who now serves as a referee in that sport...
Angus MacDonald
Angus Macdonald (rugby player)
Angus James Macdonald is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. Macdonald has played for Auckland, the Blues, New Zealand Maori and the All Blacks in a career that began in 2001. Angus Macdonald is known for his versatility, as he has played in various positions in the forwards including Lock,...
Leon MacDonald
Leon MacDonald
Leon Raymond MacDonald is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer, and now assistant coach for the Tasman Makos rugby team, who played 56 tests for the national team, All Blacks. He plays first five-eighths and fullback.-Biography:MacDonald was born in Blenheim, New Zealand, and attended...
Luke McAlister
Luke McAlister
Charles Luke McAlister is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays first five-eighths and second five-eighths ....
Deon Muir
Matua Parkinson
Steve Pokere
Caleb Ralph
Caleb Ralph
Caleb Stan Ralph is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. Ralph began his first-class career with Bay of Plenty, then moved to Auckland before heading to Canterbury. He started his Super Rugby career with the Chiefs in 1997, Blues , Crusaders and a cameo role with the Queensland Reds...
Taine Randell
Taine Randell
Taine Randell is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. He was a versatile loose forward and a former All Black captain.-Summary:...
Roger Randle
Roger Randle
Roger Quentin Randle is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played as a wing. He played centre at Rugby Parma F. C. .-Career:...
Hika Reid
Bruce Reihana
Bruce Reihana
Bruce Trevor Reihana is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is an utility back and currently plays professional rugby for Union Bordeaux Bègles....

Carlos Spencer
Carlos Spencer
Carlos James Spencer is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who currently plays at fly-half for the Lions in the Super 14 and formerly for the New Zealand All Blacks. He is well known for his flamboyant, attacking play and ball handling skills. He has signed to play for the Lions for 2010 and 2011...
Rua Tipoki
Rua Tipoki
Te Rua Reihana Tipoki brought up in Te Araroa in Gisborne, is a retired rugby union player who has played for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Auckland Blues in the Super 14. Tipoki also played for Irish provincial side Munster until 2009. His position was outside centre...
Willie Walker
Willie Walker
This article is about the New Zealand rugby player. For the DC Comics character of the same name, see Black Racer.Willie Walker is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, currently playing in the Guinness Premiership for Worcester Warriors...
Ryan Nicholas
Ryan Nicholas
Ryan Nicholas is a Japanese rugby union player who plays for Suntory Sungoliath of the Top League in Japan. In July 2011, he received Japanese citizenship...
James Arlidge
James Arlidge
is a Japanese international rugby union player. He plays primarily at fly-half.-Club career:Unusually he made his Super rugby debut for the Auckland Blues, prior to making his first start in provincial rugby, making the step from junior rugby with Pakuranga and Auckland Colts, due to the then Blues...
Piri Weepu
Piri Weepu
Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004...
Norm Hewitt
Norm Hewitt
Norman "Norm" Hewitt is a former New Zealand All Black Rugby Union Player. He was selected for the New Zealand team because of his fantastic performance in Hawkes Bay's surprise victory over the British Lions in 1993...
Ruki Tipuna
Ruki Tipuna
Ruki Tipuna is a New Zealand rugby union footballer currently playing for British Championship side Bristol Rugby. His position is scrum half.He has previously played for Scarlets, Bay of Plenty Steamers and Wellington....
Adrian Cashmore
Adrian Cashmore
Adrian Richard Cashmore in Tokoroa, New Zealand. He is a New Zealand rugby player who played for Auckland and Bay of Plenty provincially, and the Auckland Blues and Chiefs in Super Rugby. He also played professionally in Japan and for Welsh region the Ospreys in the Celtic League...
Kevin Boroevich
Norm Berryman
Norm Berryman
Norman Rangi Berryman is a New Zealand rugby union player. He first played first class rugby for Northland in the National Provincial Championship , in 1991. He continued to play for Northland, and in 1996 played for the Chiefs in the new Super 12. Berryman was drafted into the Blues in 1997, and...
Greg Feek
Greg Feek
Gregory Edward Feek is a New Zealand rugby union player who has played 10 tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2001 as a prop, in addition to 63 appearances with the Crusaders. He was born in New Plymouth. He had played provincial rugby for Taranaki between 1996 and 1998 and Canterbury...
John Mcdonell
John McDonell
Captain John McDonell was a soldier, judge and political figure in Upper Canada following the American Revolution. He was elected as the first speaker for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada.-Early years:...
Daniel Braid
Daniel Braid
Daniel Joshua Braid is a rugby union footballer who currently plays for the Super Rugby team the Blues...
Hoani Macdonald
Hoani MacDonald
Hoani MacDonald is a New Zealand rugby union player who played provincial rugby for Southland, and as well as the Highlanders in the Super 14....
Sean Hohneck
Sean Hohneck
Sean Hohneck is a rugby union player for Rugby Viadana, playing as a lock.Hohneck joined Leeds Carnegie for the 2010/2011 season.-External links:*...
Deacon Manu
Deacon Manu
Deacon Tehanakore Manu is a New Zealand-born Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a prop for the Scarlets in the Celtic League, having signed from the Chiefs in 2006.-Career:...
Scott Linklater
Scott Linklater
Scott Linklater is a rugby union hooker for Bristol Rugby in the Guinness Premiership.Prior to joining Bristol, Linklater played for Waikato Chiefs in the Super 14....
Wayne Ormond
Wayne Ormond
Wayne Ormond is an Australian entrepreneur and businessman. He is the founder and Executive Chairman of Refund Home Loans.Ormond Launched Refund Home Loans in 2004; 6 years later at the age of 37 Wayne has grown Refund to a group of five companies providing integrated mortgage broking, real estate...
Craig McGrath
Craig McGrath
Craig McGrath is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian/Australian Football League ....
Neil Brew
Neil Brew
Neil Brew is a rugby union player for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Japanese Top League. He plays at centre....
Riki Flutey
Riki Flutey
Riki John Flutey is a New Zealand born rugby union footballer who plays at centre or fly-half for London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership....
Ben Couch
Ben Couch
Manuera Benjamin Riwai Couch or, as he was generally known, Ben Couch , was a New Zealand politician and rugby union player and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
Jason Kawau
Jason Kawau
Jason Kawau is a rugby union player currently playing for the Kobelco Steelers in the Top League in Japan.-Playing Career:...

External links

Uncovering the Maori mystery BBC Sport, 5 June 2003
Rugby Union Football – History An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966
Against the Odds – Matt Te Pou and Maori Rugby (book) Huia Publishers