Northland Rugby Union

The Northland Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in Northland, New Zealand; Northland is a region of New Zealand that covers areas in the districts of Far North, Kaipara, and Whangārei. Established in 1920, they represent the Mitre 10 Cup side, Northland Taniwha, and Farah Palmer Cup side, Northland Kauri. It is also affiliated with the Blues Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are sky blue and they play their home games at Semenoff Stadium in Morningside.

For more information on the side that represents Northland Rugby Union in the Mitre 10 Cup, see Northland (Mitre 10 Cup).
Northland Rugby
SportRugby union
JurisdictionNorthland Region
AbbreviationNRU
Founded1920 (1920)
AffiliationNew Zealand Rugby
HeadquartersWhangārei
CEOCameron Bell
Men's coachGeorge Konia
Women's coachCheryl Smith
Official website
www.taniwha.co.nz

Affiliated clubs

There are currently 39 registered clubs incorporated and secondary schools affiliated with the Northland Rugby Union, most of which have teams at both senior and junior levels.

History

Early years

Northland Rugby Union was known as North Auckland Rugby Union following the amalgamation of Whangārei, Northern Wairoa, Bay of Islands, and Otamatea initially and then followed by Mangonui, Kaipara, Hokianga, Whangaroa, and Rodney in 1925. Rugby union was first played in Northland in late 1880, and the first union was set up in the province in 1895, known as the Marsden Football Union.[33] In 1994, North Auckland changed its name to the Northland Rugby Football Union. They played their first ever match as a union on 3 August 1920, in an 11-0 victory over South Island Country. However, they did not play their first inter-union match until 27 July 1922, an 8-6 loss to Auckland. Their first inter-union win came in August 1923, when they beat King Country[34]

The Auckland Rugby Union and Northland Rugby Union became regular rivals. They had Ranfurly Shield victories over them in 1960 and 1971. Northland won the Ranfurly Shield on two further occasions. 1950, when they defeated South Canterbury and 1978, when they defeated Manawatu. In the 1971 challenge Northland won 17-12 in a narrow match played in front of 47,000 people at Eden Park, Auckland. The following season 40,000 spectators packed Whangārei Okara Park to watch the rematch. With the city's population only 34,000, this showcased the significance of both the shield and the rivalry with Auckland. However they lost 15-16.[34]

The reputation of Northland rugby took a downfall following its controversial victory over Manawatu in 1978. After what seemed to be an excessive amount of stoppage time, Northland kicked a winning penalty. What followed was the refusal that the union wouldn’t put the shield on the line for its final home matches of the season against Southland and Otago. However no rules were broken.[34]

Professional era

Northland began their professional era playing in the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup competition. They are known as the Taniwha, a reference to the mascot adopted in the professional era. Along with Auckland and North Harbour, Northland is part of the Blues Super Rugby franchise.[34]

Season standings

The following is a summary of every season for the Northland Taniwha since 2006. Position indicates the teams final position after the regular season only.

Year Position Played Won Drawn Lost Points Captain Head Coach Finals
2006 10th 931514David HolwellMark Anscombe
2007 10th 1031619Justin Collins
2008 9th 1040622
2009 13th 1331916Jared PayneBryce Woodward
2010 10th 1350829
2011 5th 1040619Adriaan Ferris
2012 5th 1030717Rene Ranger
2013 6th 1021713Derren Witcombe
2014 3rd 1150625Cameron Eyre Lost to Hawke's Bay in semi final
2015 7th 1000101Matt MouldsRichie Harris
2016 6th 1010911
2017 4th 1150625Derren Witcombe Lost to Wellington in semi final
2018 4th 1140724 Lost to Waikato in semi final
2019 6th 1020811Jordan Olsen
2020 3rd 1260624George Konia Lost to Hawke's Bay in final

Records and statistics

All Blacks

Northland has produced 32 All Blacks to date.[35] Below is a list of Northland New Zealand national rugby union players along with their All Black number, year of debut and number of All Black games.

# Player Debut Caps
240 Charles Fletcher 1921 2
305 Innes Finlayson 1925 36
364 Bill Heke 1929 6
367 Alfred Waterman 1929 7
461 Johnny Smith 1946 9
482 Peter Smith 1947 3
518 Nau Cherrington 1950 7
541 Ian Irvine 1952 1
556 Peter Jones 1953 37
605 Des Webb 1959 1
621 Victor Yates 1961 9
655 Sid Going 1967 86
681 Bevan Holmes 1970 31
682 Richie Guy 1971 9
700 Hamish Macdonald 1972 48
723 Murray Jones 1973 5
726 Peter Sloane 1973 16
733 Joe Morgan 1974 22
742 Ken Going 1974 3
790 Eddie Dunn 1978 20
800 Mike Burgoyne 1979 6
822 Fred Woodman 1980 14
829 Wayne Neville 1981 4
835 Ian Dunn 1983 13
844 Alastair Robinson 1983 4
855 Kawhena Woodman 1984 6
877 Michael Speight 1986 5
902 Ian Jones 1989 105
930 Glenn Taylor 1992 6
976 Norm Berryman 1998 1
1106 Rene Ranger 2010 6
1165 Jack Goodhue 2017 19

References
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  2. "Eastern United Rugby & Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 12 September 1977. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  3. "The Hora Hora Rugby Union Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 25 May 1951. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  4. "Kaeo Rugby and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 6 November 1963. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  5. "Kaihu Valley Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 16 August 1977. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  6. "Kaikohe Rugby Football and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 22 March 1949. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  7. "Kaitaia City Rugby Union Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 16 July 1956. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  8. "Kamo Rugby and Squash Club". New Zealand Business Number. 10 July 1958. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  9. "Kerikeri Rugby Union Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 23 May 1968. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  10. "Mangakahia Rugby Club". New Zealand Business Number. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  11. "Mid-Northern Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 9 July 1970. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  12. "Midwestern Rugby Union And Squash Club". New Zealand Business Number. 27 September 1972. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  13. "Moerewa Rugby Football and Recreation Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 3 May 1971. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  14. "Old Boys Marist Rugby & Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 4 October 1951. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  15. "Old Boys Rugby Football & Softball Club". New Zealand Business Number. 18 July 1979. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  16. "Onerahi Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 10 July 1957. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  17. "Otamatea Hawks Rugby Club". New Zealand Business Number. 1 May 2002. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  18. "Taiamai Ohaeawai Rugby Football and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  19. "Te Rarawa Rugby Club". New Zealand Business Number. 20 June 1984. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  20. "The Aupouri Rugby Football and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 25 July 1983. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  21. "The City Rugby Union Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 7 July 1948. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  22. "The Dargaville Rugby and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 30 March 1965. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  23. "The Hikurangi Rugby Union Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 23 February 1953. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  24. "The Okaihau Rugby Union Football and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 1 April 1975. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  25. "The Otiria Rugby Union Football and Sports Club". New Zealand Business Number. 6 December 1971. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  26. "The Southern Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 9 December 1947. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  27. "The Tomarata Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 23 March 1962. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  28. "Tikipunga Rugby Club". New Zealand Business Number. 15 April 1977. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  29. "United Kawakawa Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 24 May 1971. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  30. "Waipu Rugby Squash Club". New Zealand Business Number. 16 December 1975. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  31. "Wellsford Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 3 December 1973. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  32. "Whangaruru Rugby Football Club". New Zealand Business Number. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  33. Murray Dunn (15 September 2020). "Northland Rugby History About". Northland Rugby Union. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  34. Ministry for Culture and Heritage (9 October 2015). "Northland Rugby History". New Zealand History. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  35. "Northland All Blacks". Northland Rugby Union. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
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