Bush Rugby Football Union

The Bush Rugby Football Union is a former provincial rugby union team from New Zealand, existing from 1890 - 1971.

The union was formed on 19 April 1890 at Pahiatua by the Pahiatua, Woodville and Eketahuna rugby football clubs. The original plan was to include Dannevirke and name the team "70 Mile Bush", but the Dannevirke club instead opted to remain part of Hawkes Bay^[1]

In 1971 Bush amalgamated with the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union to form Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union. In 1950 the Wairarapa and Bush unions put up a combined team to play the touring British Lions, losing 13-27 ^[2]

Ranfurly Shield

Bush had 7 unsuccessful challenges for the Ranfurly Shield between 1927-1968

• 1927 Wairarapa 53 vs Bush 3, Masterton
• Wairarapa 57 vs Bush 11, Masterton
• 1939 Southland 38 vs Bush 0, Invercargill
• 1957 Wellington 22 vs Bush 9, Wellington
• 1962 Auckland 46 vs Bush 6, Auckland
• 1965 Taranaki 33 vs Bush 6, New Plymouth
• 1968 Hawkes Bay 36 vs Bush 6, Napier

All Blacks

Bush had only one All Black during their existence, Athol "Tonk" Mahoney who represented New Zealand in 26 matches from 1929-1936. Mahoney also played 36 matches for the Bush union between 1927 and 1939.^[3]

References