Rugby union in Niue
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Niue
is a popular sport. It is a tier three rugby union playing nation.
is the governing body for rugby union in Niue. It was founded in 1952 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board
in 1999.
The Niue Rugby Football Union
are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
.
. Teams from Niue have competed in the Commonwealth games
.
When Niue competed in the 2001 Wellington 7s, they took a completely local-based squad, and though they scored tries against England and Canada, they were crushed in most games. Infamously, they surprised everyone by beating Japan 31-19 in 2002.
The New Zealand player Frank Bunce
is the great nephew of Sir Robert Rex
, the premier of Niue
.
first started playing in 1983. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup
.
They can also supply players for the Pacific Islanders
team.
As of 2008, Niue are the current FORU Oceania Cup
champions, having defeated New Caledonia 27-5 in the final of the Cup's latest edition on 1 September 2008.
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...
in Niue
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
is a popular sport. It is a tier three rugby union playing nation.
Governing body
The Niue Rugby Football UnionNiue Rugby Football Union
Niue Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Niue. It was founded in 1952 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board in 1999.The Niue Rugby Football Union are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance....
is the governing body for rugby union in Niue. It was founded in 1952 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
in 1999.
The Niue Rugby Football Union
Niue Rugby Football Union
Niue Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Niue. It was founded in 1952 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board in 1999.The Niue Rugby Football Union are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance....
are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions. Niue and the Cook Islands are also members of the Alliance, and while not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they can and do supply members to the Pacific...
.
History
They began playing international rugby in the 1950s and have yet to make the Rugby World CupRugby 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....
. Teams from Niue have competed in the Commonwealth games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
.
When Niue competed in the 2001 Wellington 7s, they took a completely local-based squad, and though they scored tries against England and Canada, they were crushed in most games. Infamously, they surprised everyone by beating Japan 31-19 in 2002.
The New Zealand player Frank Bunce
Frank Bunce
Frank Eneri Bunce is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and current coach. He played international rugby for both Western Samoa and New Zealand in the 1990s, appearing in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups...
is the great nephew of Sir Robert Rex
Robert Rex
Sir Robert Richmond Rex, KBE, CMG, was Premier of the Pacific island state of Niue from its establishment as a self-governing territory 19 October 1974 until his death in 1992...
, the premier of Niue
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
.
National team
The Niue national rugby union teamNiue national rugby union team
The Niue Island national rugby union team is the national team of the third tier rugby union playing nation of Niue Island. They first started playing in 1983 and have played just 10 games to date, four against the Cook Islands and three against Tahiti. Other games have been played against Fiji,...
first started playing in 1983. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby 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....
.
They can also supply players for the Pacific Islanders
Pacific Islanders rugby union team
The Pacific Islanders rugby union team is an international rugby union team, started in 2004, that represents Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. While Niue and the Cook Islands are not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they did supply players to the squad for the Pacific Islanders' tour in 2004...
team.
As of 2008, Niue are the current FORU Oceania Cup
FORU Oceania Cup
The FORU Oceania Cup, where "FORU" stands for "Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions", is an international rugby union competition between nine countries and territories of Oceania: American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Wallis and...
champions, having defeated New Caledonia 27-5 in the final of the Cup's latest edition on 1 September 2008.
See also
- Niue national rugby union teamNiue national rugby union teamThe Niue Island national rugby union team is the national team of the third tier rugby union playing nation of Niue Island. They first started playing in 1983 and have played just 10 games to date, four against the Cook Islands and three against Tahiti. Other games have been played against Fiji,...
- Niue national rugby union team (sevens)Niue national rugby union team (sevens)The Niue national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.-2005-06 World Sevens Series:-2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series:New Zealand--Pool B:-Rugby Sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games:Group B matches -* Fiji 31–14 Canada...
- Niue Rugby Football UnionNiue Rugby Football UnionNiue Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Niue. It was founded in 1952 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board in 1999.The Niue Rugby Football Union are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance....
External links
- IRB Niue page
- [ official union page]
- Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions, Niue page
- Oceania Nations, Niue