King Country Rugby Football Union
Encyclopedia
The King Country Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located in the central North Island
of New Zealand
. It was formed in 1922 when the South Auckland Rugby Union was split into three (the other two Unions formed were Waikato
and Thames Valley
).
The King Country team play from Owen Delany Park
, Taupo
, Rugby Park, Te Kuiti
and Taumarunui Domain, Taumarunui
. King Country are like many other heartland unions have struggled since the start of professional era. In 1996, King Country were in the first division of the NPC and in just 6 years were in the third division.
, Counties Manukau
, Bay of Plenty
and Thames Valley
make up the Chiefs
region.
whilst playing for King Country. The most famous King Country All Black is All Black of the century, Colin Meads
.
Additionally, former England
captain and current England coach Martin Johnson played for King Country, during his early career.
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It was formed in 1922 when the South Auckland Rugby Union was split into three (the other two Unions formed were Waikato
Waikato Rugby Union
The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
and Thames Valley
Thames Valley Rugby Football Union
The Thames Valley Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the region of Thames Valley in the North Island of New Zealand...
).
The King Country team play from Owen Delany Park
Owen Delany Park
Owen Delany Park is a multi-purpose sports stadium located in Taupo, New Zealand. The main sports are Rugby and Cricket though, several other sports are accommodated on a permanent basis with numerous other events on an oneoff basis.-History:...
, Taupo
Taupo
Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region....
, Rugby Park, Te Kuiti
Te Kuiti
Te Kuiti is a small town in the south of the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the junction of State Highways 3 and 30 and on the North Island Main Trunk Railway, 80 km south of Hamilton....
and Taumarunui Domain, Taumarunui
Taumarunui
Taumarunui is a town in the King Country of the central North Island of New Zealand. It is on State Highway 4 and the North Island Main Trunk Railway....
. King Country are like many other heartland unions have struggled since the start of professional era. In 1996, King Country were in the first division of the NPC and in just 6 years were in the third division.
Heartland Championship placings
| Heartland Championship Results | ||||||||||||
| Year | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Points | Place | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 158 | 142 | +16 | 4 | 20 | 8th | beat Thames Valley Thames Valley Rugby Football Union The Thames Valley Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the region of Thames Valley in the North Island of New Zealand... 17-15, lost Poverty Bay Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, which governs rugby union within the Gisborne region surrounding Poverty Bay in New Zealand, was formed in 1890.... 34-46 (Lochore Cup) |
|
King Country in Super Rugby
King Country along with WaikatoWaikato Rugby Union
The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
, Counties Manukau
Counties Manukau Rugby Union
The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union 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...
, Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the official governing body for rugby union in the Bay of Plenty, in the North-East of the North Island...
and Thames Valley
Thames Valley Rugby Football Union
The Thames Valley Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the region of Thames Valley in the North Island of New Zealand...
make up the Chiefs
Chiefs (Super rugby franchise)
The Chiefs are a professional Rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Their home ground is Waikato Stadium. The Chiefs play in black, red and yellow coloured jerseys...
region.
All Blacks
There have had 8 players selected for the All BlacksAll Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
whilst playing for King Country. The most famous King Country All Black is All Black of the century, Colin Meads
Colin Meads
Sir Colin Earl Meads, KNZM, MBE , is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played 55 test matches , most frequently in the lock forward position, for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, from 1957 until 1971.Meads is widely considered one of the greatest players in history...
.
- Kevin Boroevich
- R.F Bryers
- Phil Coffin
- Jack McLeanJack McLean (rugby)John Kenneth "Jack" McLean was a rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level played rugby union for New Zealand, King Country Rugby Football Union, and Auckland Rugby Football Union, and at club level for, Taumarunui, and , playing at...
- Colin MeadsColin MeadsSir Colin Earl Meads, KNZM, MBE , is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played 55 test matches , most frequently in the lock forward position, for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, from 1957 until 1971.Meads is widely considered one of the greatest players in history...
- Stanley MeadsStanley MeadsStanley Thomas Meads was a noted rugby union All Black footballer and brother of Colin Meads, considered by some to be one of the greatest rugby footballers of all time. He played as a lock, No 8 and flanker, and scored four tries for New Zealand in 30 games...
- W.J Phillips
- G.J Whiting
Additionally, former England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
captain and current England coach Martin Johnson played for King Country, during his early career.
Clubs
King Country Rugby Football Union is made up of 8 clubs:- Bush United
- Kio Kio United
- Waitomo
- Pio Pio
- Taumaruni Sports
- Taupo Sports
- Turangi Sports
- Waitete
External links
- Official site
- Taumarunui Rugby and Sports Reunion Website
- King Country rugby (NZHistory.net.nz)