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The Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU) is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Also the cities of Porirua, Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt come under WRFU jurisdiction.It was founded in 1879, making it the second oldest provincial union in New Zealand, with its 125th jubilee celebrated in 2004.
[edit] International Super Rugby
Players from Wellington who are eligible to play in the Super 14 generally play for the Hurricanes, and traditionally contribute the core of the Hurricanes squad. This position is largely due to the Wellington basing of the Hurricanes. Further, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, two Hurricane provinces and prolific talent producers, had long been mired in the second half of the National Provincial Championship, allowing Wellington to lure the better players of these provinces with ease (Christian Cullen from Manawatu for example). The 2006 reorganisation of provincial rugby in 2006 brought all three provinces into the top-level Air New Zealand Cup, but Wellington have maintained their regional dominance.
Since Super Rugby's inaugural season in 1996 the Hurricanes have had mixed results. They have reached the semi-finals on four occasions losing to the ACT Brumbies in 1997 & the Crusaders in 2003, 2005 & 2008. Wellingtons only appearance in a grand final was in 2006, where they lost the game 19 - 12 to none other than the Crusaders.
[edit] National Representative Rugby
The senior Wellington representative team, the Wellington Lions play in the Air New Zealand Cup, replacing the National Provincial Championship in 2006, which the Lions have won four times since its inception in 1976. The titles came in 1978, 1981, 1986 and most recently in 2000. Their colours are black and yellow as shown on the Lions jersey. The Lions play their home games at the Westpac Stadium, previously playing at Athletic Park until 1999. Even with an All-Star backline in the late 90's including Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and Alama Ieremia what was a superb team on paper never lived up to expectations and Wellington became known for its inconsitency. More recently it should be noted however that although the Lions have been unable to win another trophy the Wellington side have made it all the way to the grand final in four out of the last five years. Losing to Auckland in 2003, to Canterbury in 2004, to Waikato in 2006 and most recently to Auckland in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup.
[edit] Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the 'Log o' Wood', is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand domestic rugby. 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 holding union must defend the Shield in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield.
Wellington won the first ever shield challenge winning it from Auckland in 1904 and defended it for 4 matches before losing it back to Auckland in 1905. It wouldn't be until 1914 when Wellington would get the shield back by winning it off Taranaki. This marked the longest time Wellington have held the shield successfully defending it for 15 matches until losing it again to Southland in 1920. They beat Southland a year later to regain the shield before promptly losing to Hawkes Bay after only 2 matches. Wellington held the shield for only one match in 1930 and after losing it to Canterbury they would not regain the shield until 1953. Up until the 1980's Wellington had short stints defending the shield but after losing it to Canterbury in 1982 they have not seen the Ranfurly Shield since.
[edit] Local Club Rugby
Club rugby is a large part of Wellington culture. Many All Blacks make appearances for there old clubs when available and much like the soccer fan base in England, Wellingtonians will have a club rugby side that they support. Wellington club rugby is a true expression of 'grass roots' rugby at its best.
- Avalon RFC (Lower Hutt)
- College Old Boys-Victoria University (Wellington)
- Eastbourne RFC (Lower Hutt)
- Hutt Old Boys-Marist RFC (Lower Hutt)
- Johnsonville RFC (Wellington)
- Marist-St Pat’s RFC (Wellington)
- Northern United RFC (Porirua)
- Oriental-Rongotai FC (Wellington)
- Paremata-Plimmerton RFC (Porirua)
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- Petone Rugby Club (1885) (Lower Hutt)
- Poneke FC (1883) (Wellington)
- Rimutaka RFC (1982) (Upper Hutt)
- Stokes Valley RFC (1949) (Lower Hutt)
- Tawa RFC (1947) (Wellington)
- Upper Hutt RFC (1920) (Upper Hutt)
- Wainuiomata RFC (1946) (Lower Hutt)
- Wellington FC (1871) (Wellington)
- Western Suburbs RFC (1983) (Wellington)
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[edit] Jersey
Main sponsor is Vodafone. Apparel is supplied by Canterbury of New Zealand. Other sponsors include:
Wellington Lions squad for the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup:
- Ross Kennedy (on loan to Counties Manukau)
- Miah Nikora (previously on loan to Taranaki, recalled during Round 2)
- Tane Tu'ipulotu (on loan to Manawatu)
[edit] Notable players
[edit] External links
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Hurricanes 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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Joe Pope
