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The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU) 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. The Union is based in Pukekohe, and usually plays at Steelers Stadium, Pukekohe. However, due to crowd capacity and other reasons, Counties Manukau's home matches are to be played at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium, which it will share with the New Zealand Warriors, NRL team.
[edit] History
The Union was originally formed as a breakaway from the powerful Auckland union, and has only occasionally overcome the dominance of their northern neighbour.
For a long time, the Union was known simply as Counties, the name Manukau was added in the 1990s.
A previous logo of the union
[edit] Current Squad
Representative squad for the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup:
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- Daniel Crichton
- Dave Duley
- John Fonokalafi
- Kane Hancy
- Grant Henson
- Sekope Kepu
- Sione Kepu
- Fritz Lee
- Simon Lemalu
- Tekori Luteru
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- Ilaisa Maasi
- James Maher
- Lelia Masaga
- Cole Mooney
- Troy Nathan
- Kristian Ormsby (C)
- Siale Piutau
- Simione Saravanua
- Male Sa'u
- Waka Setitaia
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- Nigel Staniforth
- Niva Ta'auso
- Poaloi Taula
- Taiasina Tuifua
- Chad Tuoro
- Andrew Van der Heijden
- Tanner Vili
- Nigel Watson
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[edit] Centurions
Players who have played 100 or more games for the union.
- Alan Dawson
- Andy Dalton
- Bob Lendrum
- Ean McRobbie
- Graham Taylor
- Henk Harbraken
- Henry Maxwell
- Jim Coe
- John Speirs
- John Hughes
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- Lee Lidgard
- Lindsay Raki
- Mark Moore
- Paul Tuoro
- Peter Clotworthy
- Rod Ketels
- Roy Craig
- Warren McLean
- Errol Brain
- Bruce Robertson
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[edit] Air New Zealand Cup
In 2006, the Steelers played in the Air New Zealand Cup, being one of four unions to be promoted to the new competition.
Apparel will be supplied by Canterbury of New Zealand. Main sponsor is Custom House. Other sponsors are Tribro Holdings, Dominion Finance and Lion Red.
[edit] Wonder years
Counties Manukau Steelers former logo
Counties Manukau rugby enjoyed its heyday in the 1980's. Led by Andy Dalton*, the team established grunting forwards including Alan Dawson and Geoff Knight,and a free-wheeling style of backline play based on the silky skills and speed of players such as Bruce Robertson* and Robert Kururangi*. Other notable players from that era included Ken Parry, Jack Kani, and Lindsay Raki. From 1995 till 1999, captain Errol Brain led another successful era, with famous players such as Jonah Lomu*, Joeli Vidiri*, Danny Lee*, Tony Marsh, and Jim Coe. The "player drain" of stars such as Lomu (Wellington), Vidiri (Auckland), Lee (Otago), and Marsh (France), signalled a downturn in the fortunes of Counties. Other players who have moved on include Kristian Ormsby (now returned), Loki Crichton, John Afoa*, and Sitiveni Sivivatu*.
- [*] denotes a player who achieved All Blacks selection
[edit] Counties Manukau in Super Rugby
When Super Rugby began, Counties Manukau was associated with the Blues; but since 1998 it has been aligned to the Chiefs.
[edit] External links
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Chiefs franchise area |
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| Super 14 Team |
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| Air NZ Cup teams |
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| Heartland teams |
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| Stadiums |
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Kevin Putt
