Portal:New Zealand/Selected article/Week 38, 2006

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rugby union is the unofficial national sport of New Zealand. Rugby, as it is generally referred to by New Zealanders, is an integral part of New Zealand culture. The national team, the All Blacks, are currently the top ranked international team in the world.

The sport has its origins in New Zealand in 1870, and the game now holds close ties with the culture of the country. The national club competitions are the professional Air New Zealand Cup and amateur Heartland Championship, and above them, the Super 14, in which New Zealand has five franchises. The country hosted the first ever World Cup final in 1987, and have since won the rights to host the 2011 tournament.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is responsible for rugby in the country. The NZRFU was formed in 1892. The NZRFU joined the IRFB in 1949. There are 27 member unions within New Zealand. Every province also has its own union.