Waikato Rugby Union
Encyclopedia
The Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) 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 (formerly known as the Air New Zealand Cup), and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006
.
Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The senior representative team plays its home fixtures at the Waikato Stadium
in Hamilton
. The union's colours are red
, yellow
and black
.
. Waikato had its first win by their third fixture when they defeated Manawatu
6–0. The first home match was played against New South Wales
from Australia
at the Claudelands Showground, losing 11 to 28. In 1925 the Rugby Park was opened, and in 1928 Waikato adopted their now famous colours of red, yellow and black.
In 1932 Waikato challenged Canterbury
for the Ranfurly Shield
. The challenge was unsuccessful. Waikato made another unsuccessful challenge for the shield in 1949 against Otago
. In 1951 Waikato successfully challenged for the Ranfurly Shield, defeating North Auckland
6 points to 3. They defeated Auckland
the following season, also 6–3 to win back the shield. In 1966 Waikato defeated Auckland again to regain the Ranfurly Shield. In 1980 Waikato won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1966, defeating Auckland 7 points to 3.
In 1954 Waikato had 11 wins and one draw from 14 matches and were tabbed the champions. The draw was in a remarkable Ranfurly Shield challenge where they drew 14 all. The country had never seen anything like this before, Christchurch was invaded by thousands of Mooloo supporters who were led by the president at the time, Horace ‘Cal’ Calcott. The Mooloo express captured the imagination of fans nationwide. These images were vividly remembered by many who attended.
Waikato became the first Union to win the National Provincial Championship
(NPC) when the format included semi-final and finals structure for the 1992 season. Waikato defeated Otago 40 to 5 in the final. 1993 was also very successful for Waikato; winning back the Ranfurly Shield with a 17 to 6 victory over Auckland, and making it to the semi-finals of the NPC, only to be defeated by Otago.
Waikato defeated Taranaki 40 to 19 for a successful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield in 1996, and defeated Auckland 31 to 29 for the shield in 1997. That season they also made it to the semi-finals of the NPC, but were defeated by Counties Manukau
40 to 43. In 1998 they made it to the final of the NPC, in what was a rematch of the 1992 final, against Otago. Waikato lost the match 20 to 49. They made it to the semi-finals the next season, but were defeated by Wellington
17 to 38.
In 2002 Waikato made it to their first NPC final since the 1998 loss to Otago. Though they were defeated by Auckland, 28 to 40. They made it as far as the semi-finals in both the 2003 and the 2004 seasons, and were defeated by Wellington 29–30 and 16–28 respectively. Under the new Air New Zealand Cup
format, Waikato became the first side to win the competition, defeating Wellington 37–31 in the final.
In 2007, Waikato defeated North Harbour
52–7 to regain the Ranfurly Shield. The score and winning margin is a Ranfurly Shield record for a team challenging for the Log Of Wood
. However, the following week, Canterbury took the Log from the Mooloo Men 33–20.
In 2008 the Mooloo Men had a horrible run in the first four rounds of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup, losing to Northland, Tasman, drawing with Manawatu, and losing to Harbour. They got their first win over Auckland 34–13. They played Hawkes Bay in the quarter finals and lost 31–28.
The 2009 edition, the last under the Air New Zealand Cup name, saw Waikato finish sixth, out of the playoff places (the playoffs that season were reduced from eight to four teams).
In 2010, the Waikato team finished 3rd on the table during the regular season competition, and ended up as runners-up in the inaugural ITM Cup Finals.
, defeating the Springboks 14 points to 10 in 1956. Waikato defeating another large rugby nation in 1961, with a 22 – 3 victory over in 1961.
During the 1970s Waikato defeated numerous international sides; including a two point victory, 26 to 24, over , a 13 to 7 win over and defeating France for the second time, 18 to 15. Also during the 1980s, Waikato achieved a number of notable international victories, defeating , and in the latter years of the decade. Waikato also completed a number of international victories during the 1990s, with wins over Canada, Australia, Western Samoa
, the British Isles, and .
Waikato have also attained the scalp of the British Lions
in 1993
.
and blue
and black colours had been used. However, since 1928 they have worn the very distinctive red
, yellow
and black
hooped jersey
, with white shorts. These colours being a combination of the Hamilton (yellow and black), with Old Boys (red and black). Unlike many professional sporting teams in the modern era, Waikato have always retained the traditional design of the jersey. The main jersey/apparel sponsors are Waikato Draught, C.B.D, Gallagher and Kukri. As of 2009, apparel was being supplied by sporting firm Kukri.
during Super Rugby
home games. The Waikato mascot is Mooloo
, who is a cow. Its supporters are known as Mooloomen. By extension, the term now applies to anyone from the Waikato area.
The Mooloo Men also have one very special supporter who attends every home game, this man is widely known as Possum. He is situated up the top of a cherry picker which looks over the entire stadium and can be seen from any angle around the ground. Every few seconds he revs his chainsaw in order to show his passion and love for the Waikato rugby team. This is also a ploy in which to distract opposition players.
Waikato play their home games at Waikato Stadium
in Hamilton, built on the site of the club's former ground, Rugby Park. Construction began on the stadium in 2000; it was completed in 2001, and opened with a game between the Chiefs and Crusaders in the then Super 12. The Chiefs also pay the majority of their home games at the stadium.
Waikato played out of Rugby Park from 1925 to 2000. For the 1921 to 1924 seasons, Waikato played at the Claudelands Showgrounds and Steel Park. Waikato's first ever home match was played at the Claudelands Showgrounds against New South Wales, which Waikato lost 11 to 28. The Rugby Park grandstand roof collapsed in 1934, but no one was injured.
Waikato Stadium hosted the first ever Air New Zealand Cup final, where Waikato defeated Wellington to claim the title.
This led to North Harbour and Northland being represented by the nearest other team, the Chiefs (at the time named the Waikato Chiefs), also composed of Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and King Country. In 1999 the Chiefs ("Waikato" having been dropped from the title) boundaries were redrawn, with Northland and North Harbour moving to the Blues, and Counties-Manukau and Thames Valley coming under the Chiefs franchise. This represents the current Chiefs franchise unions.
The Chiefs share a home base and main stadium with Waikato, being Hamilton and Waikato Stadium respectively.
The following clubs were represented in the Waikato premier division for 2010:
The current champion is Fraser Tech, having defeated Morrinsville Sports 19–15 in the club final at Waikato stadium on 31 July 2010.
The following is a list of Waikato players who have represented New Zealand
Waikato Centurions
These players have played 100 or more games for Waikato
over the years. The player's that follow are notable players of women's rugby.
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 the Waikato
Waikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
area in the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of 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...
. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup (formerly known as the Air New Zealand Cup), and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006
2006 Air New Zealand Cup
The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup is a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. Matches started on Friday 28 July 2006, and the Grand Final was won by Waikato on 21 October 2006....
.
Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The senior representative team plays its home fixtures at the Waikato Stadium
Waikato Stadium
Waikato Stadium is a major sporting and cultural events venue in Hamilton, New Zealand, with a total capacity of 25,800. Four areas contribute to this capacity: The Brian Perry Stand holding 12,000, the WEL Networks Stand holding 8,000, the Goal Line Terrace holding 800 and the Greenzone can hold...
in Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
. The union's colours are red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
, yellow
Yellow
Yellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
and black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
.
History
Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The inaugural representative match played ended in a 15-all draw against TaranakiTaranaki Rugby Union
Taranaki Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. The main stadium is Yarrow Stadium which is in the main centre of New Plymouth. Taranaki plays in the annual ITM Cup in which it also competes for the Ranfurly shield...
. Waikato had its first win by their third fixture when they defeated 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...
6–0. The first home match was played against New South Wales
New South Wales Waratahs
The New South Wales Waratahs are an Australian rugby union football team, representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super 15 Super Rugby competition...
from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
at the Claudelands Showground, losing 11 to 28. In 1925 the Rugby Park was opened, and in 1928 Waikato adopted their now famous colours of red, yellow and black.
In 1932 Waikato challenged Canterbury
Canterbury representative rugby union team
The Canterbury representative rugby union team, generally referred to as Canterbury, are the top representative rugby union team under the Canterbury Rugby Football Union in New Zealand...
for the Ranfurly Shield
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 Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
. The challenge was unsuccessful. Waikato made another unsuccessful challenge for the shield in 1949 against 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...
. In 1951 Waikato successfully challenged for the Ranfurly Shield, defeating North Auckland
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...
6 points to 3. They defeated Auckland
Auckland representative rugby union team
The Auckland representative rugby union team is the top representative rugby union team under the Auckland Rugby Football Union in New Zealand. It competes in the ITM Cup, renamed from the Air New Zealand Cup in 2010....
the following season, also 6–3 to win back the shield. In 1966 Waikato defeated Auckland again to regain the Ranfurly Shield. In 1980 Waikato won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1966, defeating Auckland 7 points to 3.
In 1954 Waikato had 11 wins and one draw from 14 matches and were tabbed the champions. The draw was in a remarkable Ranfurly Shield challenge where they drew 14 all. The country had never seen anything like this before, Christchurch was invaded by thousands of Mooloo supporters who were led by the president at the time, Horace ‘Cal’ Calcott. The Mooloo express captured the imagination of fans nationwide. These images were vividly remembered by many who attended.
Waikato became the first Union to win the National Provincial Championship
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
(NPC) when the format included semi-final and finals structure for the 1992 season. Waikato defeated Otago 40 to 5 in the final. 1993 was also very successful for Waikato; winning back the Ranfurly Shield with a 17 to 6 victory over Auckland, and making it to the semi-finals of the NPC, only to be defeated by Otago.
Waikato defeated Taranaki 40 to 19 for a successful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield in 1996, and defeated Auckland 31 to 29 for the shield in 1997. That season they also made it to the semi-finals of the NPC, but were defeated by Counties Manukau
Counties Manukau Rugby Union
The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Franklin district of New Zealand. The Steelers colours are red, white, and black horizontal bands. The 'Steelers' moniker is a reference to the nearby Glenbrook steel factory...
40 to 43. In 1998 they made it to the final of the NPC, in what was a rematch of the 1992 final, against Otago. Waikato lost the match 20 to 49. They made it to the semi-finals the next season, but were defeated by 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...
17 to 38.
In 2002 Waikato made it to their first NPC final since the 1998 loss to Otago. Though they were defeated by Auckland, 28 to 40. They made it as far as the semi-finals in both the 2003 and the 2004 seasons, and were defeated by Wellington 29–30 and 16–28 respectively. Under the new Air New Zealand Cup
Air New Zealand Cup
The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...
format, Waikato became the first side to win the competition, defeating Wellington 37–31 in the final.
In 2007, Waikato defeated 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...
52–7 to regain the Ranfurly Shield. The score and winning margin is a Ranfurly Shield record for a team challenging for the Log Of Wood
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 Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
. However, the following week, Canterbury took the Log from the Mooloo Men 33–20.
In 2008 the Mooloo Men had a horrible run in the first four rounds of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup, losing to Northland, Tasman, drawing with Manawatu, and losing to Harbour. They got their first win over Auckland 34–13. They played Hawkes Bay in the quarter finals and lost 31–28.
The 2009 edition, the last under the Air New Zealand Cup name, saw Waikato finish sixth, out of the playoff places (the playoffs that season were reduced from eight to four teams).
In 2010, the Waikato team finished 3rd on the table during the regular season competition, and ended up as runners-up in the inaugural ITM Cup Finals.
International results
In 1930 Waikato provided 14 of the 15 players of the combination team that played Great Britain at Rugby Park. The visitors won the match 40 to 16 in front of 13,000 people. In 1937 toured New Zealand. Five Waikato players were involved in the combined side which lost 6–3 in front of a record crowd of more than 17,000. Waikato was the first provincial Union to beat a touring South African team post World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, defeating the Springboks 14 points to 10 in 1956. Waikato defeating another large rugby nation in 1961, with a 22 – 3 victory over in 1961.
During the 1970s Waikato defeated numerous international sides; including a two point victory, 26 to 24, over , a 13 to 7 win over and defeating France for the second time, 18 to 15. Also during the 1980s, Waikato achieved a number of notable international victories, defeating , and in the latter years of the decade. Waikato also completed a number of international victories during the 1990s, with wins over Canada, Australia, 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...
, the British Isles, and .
Waikato have also attained the scalp of the British 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...
in 1993
1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand
In 1993 the British Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand. This tour followed the Lions' 1989 tour to Australia and preceded their 1997 tour to South Africa. It was the last Lions tour in the sport's amateur era....
.
Strip
Prior to 1928, black and whiteWhite
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
and blue
Blue
Blue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
and black colours had been used. However, since 1928 they have worn the very distinctive red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
, yellow
Yellow
Yellow is the color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M cone cells of the retina about equally, with no significant stimulation of the S cone cells. Light with a wavelength of 570–590 nm is yellow, as is light with a suitable mixture of red and green...
and black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
hooped jersey
Rugby shirt
A rugby shirt, often referred to as a rugby jersey, is a shirt worn by players of rugby union or rugby league. It usually has short sleeves, though long sleeves are common as well....
, with white shorts. These colours being a combination of the Hamilton (yellow and black), with Old Boys (red and black). Unlike many professional sporting teams in the modern era, Waikato have always retained the traditional design of the jersey. The main jersey/apparel sponsors are Waikato Draught, C.B.D, Gallagher and Kukri. As of 2009, apparel was being supplied by sporting firm Kukri.
Supporters
The Waikato supporters are known for their use of cowbells at home matches. This tradition has been carried over to home matches of the ChiefsChiefs (Super rugby franchise)
The Chiefs are a professional Rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Their home ground is Waikato Stadium. The Chiefs play in black, red and yellow coloured jerseys...
during Super Rugby
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
home games. The Waikato mascot is Mooloo
Mooloo
The term Mooloo is a common nickname in New Zealand for things pertaining to the Waikato region, most particularly the Waikato Rugby Team and its supporters, though it is likely that the term's use for the region in general pre-dates its use specifically for the rugby team.The origin of the term...
, who is a cow. Its supporters are known as Mooloomen. By extension, the term now applies to anyone from the Waikato area.
The Mooloo Men also have one very special supporter who attends every home game, this man is widely known as Possum. He is situated up the top of a cherry picker which looks over the entire stadium and can be seen from any angle around the ground. Every few seconds he revs his chainsaw in order to show his passion and love for the Waikato rugby team. This is also a ploy in which to distract opposition players.
Stadium
Waikato Stadium
Waikato Stadium is a major sporting and cultural events venue in Hamilton, New Zealand, with a total capacity of 25,800. Four areas contribute to this capacity: The Brian Perry Stand holding 12,000, the WEL Networks Stand holding 8,000, the Goal Line Terrace holding 800 and the Greenzone can hold...
in Hamilton, built on the site of the club's former ground, Rugby Park. Construction began on the stadium in 2000; it was completed in 2001, and opened with a game between the Chiefs and Crusaders in the then Super 12. The Chiefs also pay the majority of their home games at the stadium.
Waikato played out of Rugby Park from 1925 to 2000. For the 1921 to 1924 seasons, Waikato played at the Claudelands Showgrounds and Steel Park. Waikato's first ever home match was played at the Claudelands Showgrounds against New South Wales, which Waikato lost 11 to 28. The Rugby Park grandstand roof collapsed in 1934, but no one was injured.
Waikato Stadium hosted the first ever Air New Zealand Cup final, where Waikato defeated Wellington to claim the title.
Waikato in Super rugby
When the NZRFU were initially deciding the team compositions for the Super 12 in 1995 it was decided that to have the Blues franchise encompass the North Harbour, Counties-Manukau, Northland and Auckland provincial rugby unions would be unfair. This was due to the preponderance of All Blacks (players representing New Zealand) who came from North Harbour, Counties-Manukau and Auckland at the time. Hence if the Blues were to consist of these unions, they would field an All Blacks team in all but name.This led to North Harbour and Northland being represented by the nearest other team, the Chiefs (at the time named the Waikato Chiefs), also composed of Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and King Country. In 1999 the Chiefs ("Waikato" having been dropped from the title) boundaries were redrawn, with Northland and North Harbour moving to the Blues, and Counties-Manukau and Thames Valley coming under the Chiefs franchise. This represents the current Chiefs franchise unions.
The Chiefs share a home base and main stadium with Waikato, being Hamilton and Waikato Stadium respectively.
Ranfurly Shield
Waikato first won the Ranfurly shield in 1951, when they held it for 6 successful defences. They most recently held it in 2007, losing it to Caterbury on the 1st of September that year. They have a proud shield history, having defended it 47 times, placing them 3rd equal with Hawke's Bay for most defences by a union. Waikato have held the shield for the following periods:- 1951–1952 (6 defences lost to Auckland)
- August 23, 1952 – August 1, 1953 (6 defences, lost to Wellington)
- August 27, 1966 – September 24, 1966 (0 defences, lost to Hawke's Bay)
- September 7, 1980 – August 1, 1981 (8 defences, lost to Wellington)
- September 18, 1993 – September 3, 1994 (5 defences, lost to Canterbury)
- September 8, 1996 – October 4, 1996 (1 defence, lost to Auckland)
- October 5, 1997 – September 23, 2000 (21 defences, lost to Canterbury)
- August 25, 2007 – September 1, 2007 (0 defences, lost to Canterbury)
Club Rugby
There are approximately 30 clubs affiliated with the Waikato Rugby Union.The following clubs were represented in the Waikato premier division for 2010:
- Hamilton Old Boys
- Fraser Tech
- Otorohanga
- Te Awamutu Sports
- Melville
- Hautapu
- Morrinsville Sports
- Hamilton Marist
- Te Rapa
- University
- Taupiri
- United Matamata Sports
The current champion is Fraser Tech, having defeated Morrinsville Sports 19–15 in the club final at Waikato stadium on 31 July 2010.
Honours
- National Provincial ChampionshipNational Provincial ChampionshipThe National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
/Air New Zealand/ITM Cup:- Champions: 1992, 2006
- Runners-up: 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011
- Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly ShieldThe 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 Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
:- 1951, 1952, 1966, 1980, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2007
- Ballymore Tens
- 1997
- National 7's
- 1995–98, 2009, 2010
Notable players
All BlacksThe following is a list of Waikato players who have represented New Zealand
|
Matthew Cooper (rugby union) Matthew Cooper is a former New Zealand international rugby union player. He made his All Black debut v Ireland on 6 June 1992, setting a then-world record of 23 points on test debut, with the last of his 8 caps coming on 3 July 1994 v France.... 1992–94, 96 Mark Cooksley Mark Stephen Bill Cooksley is a former professional rugby union player and All Black lock.Cooksley holds the distinction of being the tallest All Black ever at an imposing 2.05 meters and 125 kg. He had a long All Black career, spanning from 1992 until 2001... 1994–95, 97, 01 Aaron Hopa Aaron Remana Hopa was a New Zealand rugby union player. He was an All Black in 1997 where he played four matches and played for Waikato in provincial level including the Ranfurly Shield winning team in 1997 and he also played for the Chiefs in the Super 14... 1997 Royce Willis Royce Kevin Willis was an international rugby union player who represented New Zealand in 12 matches between 1998 and 2002. -Rugby career:... 1998–99, 02 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.... 1999–2000 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... 2001–06 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:... 2001 Regan King Regan Matthew King is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He also holds a British passport thanks to his British-born father, Paul King. Following consistent performances for both Waikato and the Chiefs, he made his first and only Test appearance on 23 November 2002 against Wales at the... 2002 Byron Kelleher Byron Terrance Kelleher is a rugby union half-back who currently plays for Stade Francais in the French Top 14 competition, and has played over 57 tests with the New Zealand All Blacks... 2004–07 Jono Gibbes Jonathan Brian Gibbes is the forwards coach of Leinster Rugby in Ireland and former New Zealand rugby union player who captained Waikato, the Chiefs and the New Zealand Māori rugby union team, and appeared in various All Blacks teams.Gibbes traditionally plays at the position of Blindside Flanker,... 2004–05 Steven Bates Steven Paul Bates is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, whose usual position is at Number 8. He played for Waikato at provincial level and the Chiefs in the Super 14... 2004 Sosene Anesi Sosene Raymond Anesi is a rugby union footballer and he plays fullback and wing.-Career:Anesi made his National Provincial Championship debut for Waikato in 2003. He played for the Chiefs in the Super 14 up until 2007. He made his All Blacks debut from the bench in 2005 against Fiji at Albany, but... 2005 Sione Lauaki Sione Tuitupu Lauaki is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. His brother, Epalahame Lauaki, is a 2nd rower for Hull in the Super League competition and also a New Zealand international.-Early career:... 2005, 07–08 Sitiveni Sivivatu Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, playing on the position of a wing. He was largely successful in the 2005 Super 12 season playing for the Chiefs, and acquired a starting position in the All Blacks. He has scored 29 tries in 45 tests... 2005–09 Mils Muliaina Junior Malili Muliaina , better known as Mils Muliaina, is a rugby union player. He plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and New Zealand at international level. He was born in Salesi, Samoa, then moved with his family to Invercargill, New Zealand, at the age of two... 2006–10 Brendon Leonard Brendon Leonard is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.-Career:Leonard plays half-back and made his provincial debut for Waikato in the 2005 National Provincial Championship. He was in the Chiefs wider training group for the 2006 Super 14... 2007, 2009 Stephen Donald Stephen Donald is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at First five-eighth or Second five-eighth. Despite an international career that had not lived up to expectations, Donald, aka 'The Beaver', kicked the winning penalty in the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand... 2008–10 Richard Kahui Richard Kahui is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.-Career:Kahui plays in the position of Centre. He plays for Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup and made his Super 14 debut in 2006 with the Highlanders. Kahui was the top try scorer of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup... 2008,2010 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... 2008–10 Aled de Malmanche Aled Peter de Malmanche is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays at hooker for the Chiefs in the Super 14, Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup, and the New Zealand national team, All Blacks. He can also play as a prop on both sides of the scrum... 2009–10 |
Waikato Centurions
These players have played 100 or more games for Waikato
- R Gourdie – 199
- D Foster – 148
- G H Purvis – 147
- S B Gordon – 141
- W D GatlandWarren GatlandWarren David Gatland is a former New Zealand rugby footballer and the current head coach of the Wales national team.Gatland was born in Hamilton, New Zealand and educated at Hamilton Boys' High School and Waikato University...
– 140 - J W Boe – 136
- D I Monkley – 135
- J E P Mitchell – 134
- P J Bennett – 133
- G W J Wright – 133
- A H Strawbridge – 131
- I J Clarke – 126
- E H Catley – 124
- M J A Cooper – 124
- B A C Cowley – 112
- R J L Duggan – 111
- N M Melsom – 110
- C A J Ellis – 110
- R M Jerram – 106
- E A R Pickering – 104
- D Muir – 101
- D Phillips – 100
Women's rugby
Waikato has a proud history in Women's rugby, providing many players for the Black FernsBlack Ferns
The Black Ferns is New Zealand's national women's rugby union team.- The name :The name comes from the use of the colour black and the silver fern as New Zealand sporting symbols...
over the years. The player's that follow are notable players of women's rugby.
- K Sio – (1994–95)
- L Wall – (1994)
- H Reeder – (1994)
- L Simpson-Brown – (1995–96)
- V Cootes – (1995-00, 2002)
- F Palmer – (1997)
- R Sheck – (1999-00, 2002–04)
- A Lil'l – (2000)
- R Kay – (2000)
- E Jensen – (2002–04)
- L Engebretsen -(2004)
Squad
Squad for the 2011 ITM Cup:| Forwards | Backs |
|---|---|
|
Stephen Donald Stephen Donald is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at First five-eighth or Second five-eighth. Despite an international career that had not lived up to expectations, Donald, aka 'The Beaver', kicked the winning penalty in the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand... (University) Richard Kahui Richard Kahui is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.-Career:Kahui plays in the position of Centre. He plays for Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup and made his Super 14 debut in 2006 with the Highlanders. Kahui was the top try scorer of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup... (Te Rapa) Brendan Leonard Brendan Patrick Leonard is a filmmaker best known for his hit series on ABC Family, The Brendan Leonard Show.-Personal life:... (Morrinsville Sports) – Vice Captain Mils Muliaina Junior Malili Muliaina , better known as Mils Muliaina, is a rugby union player. He plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and New Zealand at international level. He was born in Salesi, Samoa, then moved with his family to Invercargill, New Zealand, at the age of two... (Te Rapa) Declan O'Donnell Declan O'Donnell, from Waikato, is a New Zealand international rugby sevens player who made his World Series debut in the 2010–11 season. He became an overnight sensation after he scored three tries for New Zealand during the final of the 2011 Wellington Sevens against England.-Biography:O'Donnell... (Melville Sports) Sitiveni Sivivatu Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, playing on the position of a wing. He was largely successful in the 2005 Super 12 season playing for the Chiefs, and acquired a starting position in the All Blacks. He has scored 29 tries in 45 tests... (Frankton) |
External links
- Official site
- Waikato rugby (NZHistory.net.nz)