Manawatu Rugby Union Explained

Manawatu Rugby Union
Abbrev:MRU
Logosize:150px
Sport:Rugby union
Jurisdiction:Manawatū-Whanganui
Aff:New Zealand Rugby
Headquarters:Palmerston North
President:Bruce Hemara
Chairman:Tyn Myers
Director:Barry Roche
Url:https://www.manawaturugby.co.nz
Countryflag:NZL

The Manawatu Rugby Football Union (MRU) serves as the governing body of the sport of rugby union in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand.

Founded in 1886, Manawatu is one of New Zealand's oldest rugby unions. In 1892, the MRU, amongst other unions, played a pivotal role in establishing the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). During 1997–1998, Manawatu entered into an amalgamation with, as the "Central Vikings", wearing orange and blue attire.

The union is based in the city of Palmerston North though its catchment area includes players and clubs from nearby towns in the province, including Ashhurst, Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Woodville and Dannevirke. It has over 5,000 players, making it the tenth largest union in New Zealand in terms of player numbers.[1] In 2011, the union celebrated its 125th jubilee.

Manawatu have traditionally played in a distinctive green and white tramline jersey, which is thought to have been established in 1909.[2] In 1996, a jersey including red was worn, and colours worn have varied since the union was formed.

The union's home ground is Central Energy Trust Arena.

History

The Manawatu rugby union was formed on 17 April 1886 at Palmerston North, with the founding clubs being: Palmerston, Feilding and Foxton. It was initially named the Manawatu County Union but was renamed in 1888. The sport had been introduced to the area by a few players from Wanganui, who had moved into the region. Following the unions establishment many other clubs were formed as the sport became more popular.[3]

Early years

The first recorded match in the Manawatu took place on 13 July 1878. A Feilding side faced a "Rangitikei Combined Clubs XV" which was played at Feilding.[4]

The first Ranfurly Shield game Manawatu appeared in was in 1914. This was played against Taranaki at Pukekura Park. The match was lost 11–3 with William Carroll scoring a sole try. Their next challenge came ten years later, in 1924, where they would lose 31–5 to Hawke's Bay. Manawatu also provided J.F. Manning to referee a match in 1905 between Auckland and Wellington.[5]

1970s and early 1980s: First division era and Ranfurly shield reign

The period from 1976 to 1983 saw Manawatu as one of the leading New Zealand rugby provinces. In this period Manawatu consistently beat teams such as Otago, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury. Manawatu held the Ranfurly Shield from 1976 to 1978 and this was followed by victory in the 1980 First Division Championship. Manawatu were also runner-up in 1976 and 1981. A large sign reading "Go! Go! Manawatu!" was lifted above Palmerston North Showgrounds Oval by crane.

Manawatu beat Auckland 12–10 at Eden Park in 1976 to win the Log 'o Wood, as the Ranfurly Shield is sometimes referred to, for the first time. Doug Rollerson's dropped goal secured the famous victory for Manawatu. This led to a homecoming parade through the city streets.

With prop Kent Lambert sent-off, Manawatu were reduced to 14-men in their defence of the Ranfurly Shield against the Counties side in 1977. However, Manawatu rallied to record a victory 15–10. A last minute try prevented the Counties side from taking the Shield back to Pukekohe for the first time.

There was some controversy in 1977 when the Auckland rugby union had a request for a shield challenge that season denied by Manawatu who argued that Auckland had had 'too much influence in shield rugby for too long'.

In the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the 1978 season Manawatu were leading North Auckland (now named Northland) 10–9 with time up on the clock. However, the referee, Bill Adlam, from Wanganui, played 5–6 minutes of 'injury' time before awarding the visitors a penalty, due to an offside, close to the posts. A penalty kick was successful and the shield was won by North Auckland. The referee then required a police escort off Showgrounds Oval (as it was known) while Manawatu fans showed their disgust and disappointment. Adlam claimed after the match that the game clock at the venue had not allocated for a couple of "lengthy" injury breaks, and so he rightly let the game go on. This was also backed up by a photographer who accurately timed the game.

Manawatu scored a 20–10 win over Australia in 1978.

In 1979 Auckland had won back the Ranfurly shield and denied Manawatu a challenge in 1980.

In 1980, during its championship winning season, Manawatu had eight All Blacks within the team: Mark Donaldson, Mark Shaw, Geoff Old, Frank Oliver, Gary Knight, Doug Rollerson, Lachie Cameron and Craig Wickes.

One of Manawatu's most memorable matches was the 1981 encounter against South Africa. Manawatu led 9–4 at halftime and with minutes to go the score was 19–19. The clash between the national champions and the 'test' strength Springboks was headed for a climax worthy of such an event. In the final analysis, Naas Botha was the difference between the two sides. In the final minutes he scored a long range penalty, a dropped goal and a sideline conversion to lead the 'Boks home to a flattering 31–19 victory. The Manawatu verses Springbok game was the first to witness the Police riot squads patrolling the streets as a pre-emptive measure, as opposed to them just turning up once trouble started. The day was generally incident free.

In 1983 the Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team put Manawatu last on their list of challengers for that season.

In 1985, Manawatu celebrated a centenary for its club competition and in 1986, the union's centenary.

Late 1980s to mid 2000s - second division

In 1988, the union was relegated to the second division for the first time. Manawatu, based in the second division, was reduced to a 'feeder' role, losing players to other unions.[6]

Lee Stensness starred in a 58–24 win over Ireland in 1992.

In 1996 Manawatu and Hawke's Bay merged their teams to form the Central Vikings Rugby Union. It was an attempt to elevate both unions back to the first division. Players such as Mark Allen, Christian Cullen, Mark Ranby, Stephen Bachop and Roger Randle featured in the team. The 1997 season saw them finish second overall with 6 wins and 2 losses. This saw the team into the semi-finals. In the semi-final, the Vikings would go on to beat Bay of Plenty and came up against Northland in the final. Northland won the final 63–10. Northland were thus promoted to the first division. However, had the Vikings won, they would not have been eligible to be promoted.

1998 saw a repeat of form for the Vikings who went unbeaten in the season. They subsequently won the final against Bay of Plenty and were promoted to first division. However, due to financial issues, the merger split back to Manawatu and Hawke's Bay as separate unions. Manawatu returned in 1999 to the second division.

Manawatu began the new millennium firmly fixed in the second-tier competition.

In 2005, Manawatu were heavily defeated 6–109 by the touring British and Irish Lions at Palmerston North.

2006 onwards - return to the first division

In 2005, Manawatu were invited along with four other unions, reduced to three after an amalgamation of Nelson Bays and Marlborough into Tasman, to play in the first division of a restructured National Provincial Championship, initially called (for sponsorship purposes) the Air New Zealand Cup. It was the first time since 1988 Manawatu had fielded a team in the top grade and unlike the 1980s it was now a professional rugby competition.

In 2009, Central Energy Trust Arena was the venue for a Highlanders home game against the Bulls from South Africa.

Fly-half Aaron Cruden was selected for the All Blacks in 2010. He was the first All Black chosen whilst playing for the union since Christian Cullen in 1996.[7]

Manawatu hosted two matches during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

In 2011, a resurgent Manawatu Turbos side defeated the Wellington Lions 31–25 in Wellington. It was Manawatu's first competition win over Wellington in the capital, after 124 years of trying. Also in 2011, Manawatu scored 54 points against Waikato team at Arena Manawatu. The Turbos led 35–17 at halftime, eventually winning 54–20. This kept the Turbos unbeaten at home for the season.

In 2012, Manawatu scored its first victory away to North Harbor. The win at home against Hawke's Bay made Manawatu one of the few Championship teams to beat a Premiership team.

In 2012, Aaron Smith was selected in the All Blacks after fine performances with Manawatu and the Highlanders. Smith joining Aaron Cruden meant for the first time since 1986, two All Blacks came from Manawatu.

In 2021 Manawatu appointed Andrea Jackson as Chief Executive Officer. Manawatu were the first top-flight union to appoint a woman in that role.[8] [9]

Club Rugby

The Manawatu rugby union includes the following clubs:

border="1" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:100%"
Club name
Team Colours
Home baseNotes
Ashhurst-PohanginaGreen and Gold Ashhurst
BullsBlack Bulls
BunnythorpeMaroon, Gold and Black Bunnythorpe
Bush Sports Red and Blue PahiatuaJunior level rugby only is played in Manawatu; Senior level has returned to Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union.[10]
College Old Boys (COB)White, Maroon, Gold & Black Palmerston North
DannevirkeBlack and Gold DannevirkeDannevirke Sports Club was formerly affiliated with Hawke's Bay, however in 2007, it switched its affiliation to Manawatu.[11]
Feilding (Feilding Yellows) Yellow & BlackFeilding
Feilding Old Boys-Oroua RFC (FOB-O)Black, White, Red & BlueFeilding and KimboltonFeilding Old Boys-Oroua is an amalgamation of the Feilding Old Boys and Oroua Rugby Clubs
Freyberg (Freys)Royal Blue & GoldMilson, Palmerston North
HalcombeBlack and Red Halcombe
High School Old Boys-Marist (OBM)Black, White & Green hoops Palmerston NorthHigh School Old Boys-Marist was an amalgamation of the High School Old Boys (HSOB) and Marist Rugby Clubs
Light Blue & Dark BlueAwapuni/Highbury, Palmerston North
Linton ArmyRed & Black Linton Military Camp
VarsitySky BlueMassey University, Palmerston North
Emerald Green & Black Rongotea

Hankins Shield Senior A Club competition winners

Manawatu representative players

[17] [18] [19]

Centurions - 100 matches for Manawatu

Name YearsGames
1975–1986 145
1971–1984 128
1975–1985 117
Murray Rosenbrook1979–1986 111
1974–1985 110
2006–2015 110
1978–1990 108
1969–1978 107
1970–1979 106
2006–2019 104
Don McCaskie1956–1967 101

Manawatu All Blacks

In New Zealand, to be selected to the All Blacks is the pinnacle of rugby achievement. In its history, Manawatu have produced many players who have been selected for the national team.

Name All Black Number Years Total matches (tests) Club NicknameAbout
933 1993–97 27 (8) Massey University "Bull" A 'cult hero' and loosehead prop, he is more associated with his home province of Taranaki, from where he made his All Black debut. However, in 1997, he moved to Manawatu, where he captained the Manawatu/Hawkes Bay Central Vikings. It was from this position that he played his one and only test match as a starting player (against England at Twickenham – his last test).
548 1953–54 20 (0) Retired at aged 23 to his family farm.
690 1971–73 30 (7) Massey University Debuted for the All Blacks against the 1971 Lions. He was a stand out player in this series before being injured in the 3rd test which ended his season. Toured Britain in 1972/73 before retiring in 1973. An anti-apartheid activist, Burgess declined consideration for the 1970 tour to South Africa and campaigned against the 1981 tour by the Springboks.
727 1974–7618 (4)High School Old Boys ♦ Second rower whose career was ended by back problems. Went back to the farm after excelling for both Manawatu and the All Blacks.
796 1979–8117 (5)Massey University Lachie An exciting midfielder from the Varsity club. In 1981 he played in the dramatic 3rd Test versus the Springboks at Eden Park.
217 19208 (0)Jackeytown ♣ "Phonse" A dairy farmer, he played his first game of rugby at aged 22 in 1917. Toured Australia in 1920. Politically 'left of centre' he was a 'conscientious objector' during World War One. Switched codes to Rugby league in 1925 and represented the Kiwis.
21 1893 12 (0)Palmerston ♣ Played only one season in Manawatu.[20]
1105 2010–17 50 (50) College Old Boys First Five-Eighth, made his All Black debut on 10 June 2010 against Ireland in New Plymouth. Cancer survivor and son of former Manawatu forward Stu Cruden.
952 1996–2002 60 (58)Kia Toa "Paekakariki Express" One of world rugby's most talented and entertaining fullbacks of any era. Was a Wellingtonian for most of his All Black career. Shot to stardom at the 1996 Hong Kong Sevens.
958 19962 (0)Massey University."Chester"
781 1977–81 35 (13) High School Old Boys♦ "Bullet" An inspiration to Manawatu rugby. Later coached an exciting and youthful Manawatu side in the early-90s.In 1981, in his last touch of the ball in All Black rugby, Donaldson took a quick-thinking tap on a free kick late in the series-deciding test against South Africa. This play was instrumental in setting up Alan Hewson's famous last-minute penalty goal.[1]
740 1974–77 30 (4) Feilding "Hayburner" Voted Rugby News 'All Black player of the tour', to South Africa, 1976.
596 1959 1 (1) Marist ♦ Debuted at aged 31. His only test against the 1959 Lions, the famous 1st test where Don Clarke's six penalty goals gave New Zealand an 18–17 win. Finlay was badly injured early but returned to the field after treatment. Due to injury was not considered for the remainder of the series.
455 1946 1 (1) Feilding Old Boys ♦ World War Two shortened his potential All Black career.
856 1984 2 (0) High School Old Boys ♦ ex PNBHS 1st XV star who toured Fiji.
554 1953–54 14 (0) Feilding "Stewie" Feilding Agricultural High School.
755 1976 6 (0) Freyberg Old Boys "Gringo" Manawatu stalwart who retired after a record 128 games for the province. An outstanding 1976 season earned him a winger's position on the end of year tour to Argentina. He was given the nickname 'Gringo' on this tour.
751 1976 4 (1) Te Kawau Called into the injury hit All Black tour party in South Africa, two days after Manawatu's historic Ranfurly Shield win at Eden Park, in 1976. Played the 3rd test of that tour.
859 1985 3 (0) Freyberg Old Boys Manawatu Player of the Year 1983, NZ Māori representative. With All Black hooking incumbent, Andy Dalton, unavailable for the All Blacks' tour to Argentina in 1985, Hemara was his natural replacement.In 1986, Dalton was away with the New Zealand Cavaliers in South Africa which allowed Hemara to win selection for the All Blacks in the first test against France. Injury prevented Hemara from making his much deserved test debut and Sean Fitzpatrick took his place. Later, Hemara became assistant coach of the Turbos (2006–10).
1173 2018 - 1 (1) Kia Toa Member of the PNBHS 1st XV. Called in to the All Blacks squad as injury cover and made his debut against France in June 2018.
610 1960–64 3 (0) Kia Toa "Honest Ron" Made his All Black debut playing for Wellington. The imposing lock forward captained Manawatu in 1962 before coaching Kia Toa.
782 1977–86 66 (36) High School Old Boys ♦ "Axle" The lyric "Let them feel the power of country might" was surely written with him in mind. Famously hit by a flour bomb dropped by a protest aircraft vs South Africa at Eden Park in 1981. Won the New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year trophy in 1981.
718 1972–77 40 (11) Massey University Formidable prop forward. Went to Penrith Panthers in the NSWRL, 1978. Was one of the first All Blacks to publicly complain about the financial burden of amateur rugby. Was a truck driver during his playing days. Injury cut short his league career.
Ngani Laumape1160 2017 - 8 (6) Kia Toa Member of the PNBHS 1st XV. Started playing rugby league for the New Zealand Warriors. Switched back to rugby union in 2016.
Arthur Law319 1925 4 (0) High School Old Boys ♦ A farmer, he was a star for the PNBHS 1st XV for several seasons.
787 1978 7 (0) High School Old Boys ♦ A chiropractor by trade, he ironically suffered from a 'bad back' which limited his appearances on his one and only All Black tour: the victorious Grand Slam of 1978. He was a pivotal member of the Ranfurly Shield side in the 1970s but in 1979 he retired from rugby to concentrate on his medical career.
403 1934–38 35 (9) Kia Toa "Squire"
114 1904 1 (1)College St Old Boys ♣ Paddy His Irish father was sent out to New Zealand by a London newspaper to cover the 'Māori wars' in Taranaki in 1963 and later established the Manawatu Evening Standard. Paddy's younger brother 'Archie' was also an All Black.
102 1903–05 10 (2) Institute ♣ Archie An imposing line-out specialist with the pace of a wing three-quarter. A fishmonger who died in 1919 aged 38.
37 18934 (0)Palmerston ♣
676 1968 3 (3)Massey University A winger and crowd favourite, played for Manawatu until the 1979 season.
817 1980–83 17 (3)High School Old Boys ♦ A police officer, he was on active duty during the 1981 Springbok tour together with playing in the series deciding test at Eden Park, won 25–22 by the All Blacks.
750 1976–81 43 (17)Marist ♦ "Filth" A welcome recruit from Southland in 1979, one year after being a member of the All Blacks historic Grand Slam winning tour of the UK and Ireland. An integral part of the 1980 NPC winning side. Selected on the centenary tour of Wales in late 1980.
758 1976–81 24 (8) Massey University In 1980 he was player of the season in Manawatu's championship winning team and in the same year he starred on the All Blacks centenary tour to Wales. His dropped goal, which creaked over the bar against the Springboks in the dramatic 3rd Test in 1981, helped the All Blacks win this memorable series.Shocked NZ rugby when he announced he was leaving for the North Sydney Bears in the NSWRL for the 1982 season. His subsequent professional rugby league career was considered unsuccessful, persistent injuries didn't help. He died on 3 May 2017, aged 63, after a long battle with cancer.
904 1989–9513 (4) Massey University "Herb"
810 1980–8669 (30)Kia Toa "Cowboy" A meat worker at the Longburn Freezing Works.
Graham Shannon31 1893 6 (0) Marton ♥
1112 2012– 74 (74) Feilding "Nugget" Became the All Black's first choice halfback in 2013.
657 1967–7345 (17)Oroua ♦ Imposing second rower, formed a formidable combination with John Calleson.
821 1980 1 (0) Palmerston North Boys' High School At aged 18 years, 196 days this schoolboy winger was the 2nd youngest All Black ever, behind 17-year-old Lui Paewai in 1923. A series of knee injuries, sustained in 1981, destroyed his chance of playing for the All Blacks again and limited his provincial and club rugby future as well.

♦ = indicates a club amalgamated with another

♥ = indicates a club no longer in the Manawatu Rugby Union

♣ = a club no longer extant

All Blacks formerly from Manawatu

Name All Black Number Years Total matches (tests) Club when at Manawatu About
John BuxtonNo. 573 1955 2 (2)Massey University
Graham DelamoreNo. 493 19499 (1)represented Manawatu 1943–44.
No. 500 19496 (0)Massey University
  1. 1063
2005–0917 (17) Feilding Manawatu (2002–03); Moved to Taranaki before making All Black debut.
No. 914 19911 (1) Massey University Manawatu (1988–90). He was recruited into the Auckland NPC side midway through 1990. He made his All Black debut at the 1991 World Cup.
John HotopNo. 540 19523 (3)Massey University
No. 588 19575 (0) Massey University
No. 779 1977 5 (1) Massey University
No. 45 1893 3 (0)
No. 61 1896 8 (0)
  1. 1001
2001 1 (1) Massey University Moved to Waikato before becoming an All Black.
Keith ReidNo. 365 1929 5 (2)
No. 932 1993–97 14 (8)Massey University Played his last game for Manawatu in 1992, before moving to Auckland. The following year he made his All Black debut, in the deciding test against the Lions at Eden Park, which the All Blacks won 30–13. Injury and loss of form meant he played just eight tests.
No. 510 1949–54 27 (7)played 4 matches for Manawatu in 1941.
No. 604 1959–6838 (27) Massey University Played 6 games for Manawatu in 1958[21]
No. 585 1957–6577 (32) Massey University Played for Manawatu in 1955 before leaving for Canterbury.
No. 793 1979–80 13 (5) Teachers College - Freyberg A Manawatu junior All Black who moved back to Taranaki before becoming an All Black.
  1. 1011
2001 3 (1) Marist Played the 1997 and 1998 seasons with Manawatu and the Central Vikings before becoming an All Black with Wellington.

Manawatu players in Super Rugby

Manawatu is in the Hurricanes catchment area, along with Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, East Coast, Horowhenua Kapiti, Wairarapa-Bush and Wellington. However players from Manawatu may be selected and signed by any of the Super Rugby franchises.

Manawatu players who have played for Super Rugby teams are:

PlayerTeam(s) representedNotes
Michael AlaalatoaCrusaders
Fraser ArmstrongHurricanes
Otere BlackHurricanes, Blues
Jamie BoothHurricanes
Nick CrosswellChiefs, HighlandersFoundation Turbo (2006-2014); Captain (2009–13)
Aaron CrudenChiefsAll Black
Highlanders
Highlanders
Chris EvesHurricanes
Michael FitzgeraldChiefs
Ngani LaumapeHurricanesAll Black
Johnny LeotaHighlanders
Nehe Milner-SkudderHurricanesAll Black
Liam MitchellHurricanes
Hamish NorthcottBlues
Hadleigh ParkesBlues, HurricanesTurbo 2010, also played for Southern Kings, South Africa
Aaron SmithHighlandersAll Black
Andre TaylorHurricanes
Doug TietjensHighlanders
Asaeli TikoirotumaChiefs
Hayden TriggsHighlandersNZ Maoris

Other distinguished players

Coaches

Support

Fans of Manawatu rugby are known throughout the rugby community in New Zealand for their habit of wearing plastic garden buckets cut to shape over their heads during matches. As such, fans of the provincial side have picked up the self-named nickname of "Bucketheads".[27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41]

Theme Songs

Manawatu had two theme songs during their 'glory' years, which were played on radio '2ZA' in the days leading up to the big games on Saturday. They were:

Women's Rugby: Manawatu Cyclones

Teamname:Manawatu Cyclones
Union:Manawatu Rugby Union
Location:Manawatū-Whanganui
Ground:Central Energy Trust Arena
Capacity:18,000
Coach:John Kendal Stu Ross
Captain:Rachael Rakatau
League:Women's Provincial Championship
Season:2012
Position:5th
Url:www.manawaturugby.co.nz
Pattern La1:Leftarmtramlines
Pattern B1:Tramlines_green_white
Pattern Ra1:Rightarmtramlines
Leftarm1:FFFFFF
Body1:FFFFFF
Rightarm1:FFFFFF
Shorts1:008000
Socks1:008000

Manawatu Cyclones is the women's representative team. The Cyclones wear the same green and white tramline jersey design as the men's team.

Women's Provincial Championship

In 2005, the team was promoted from the Second Division.In 2006, however, Manawatu did not win a game in the competition, which saw the team play against the likes of Auckland, Wellington and Otago. Manawatu drew with Hawke's Bay.

In 2012, the Women's Provincial Championship format was a full round robin of six teams playing six rounds (each team with one bye round). The Cyclones began with a bye. Wins for the Cyclones were over Waikato, Wellington and Hawke's Bay. Unfortunately large losses to Otago and eventual finalists Auckland and Canterbury and missing crucial bonus points, meant the Cyclones did not make the post-season.

Notable Cyclones:

Current

Past

NZ Rugby Museum

Palmerston North is the home of the New Zealand Rugby Museum[42] and also the Sport & Rugby Institute at the Turitea Campus, Massey University.[43]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Manawatu Rugby Shirts. 16 February 2008.
  2. Book: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Chester. Rod. McMillan. Neville. Palenski. Ron. Moa Publications. 1987. 0-908570-16-3. Auckland, New Zealand. 239.
  3. Web site: Manawatu Turbos - History. Manwatu Rugby Union. 26 February 2018.
  4. Web site: Feilding Rugby Football Club - History. 27 February 2018.
  5. Book: Knight, Lindsay. Shield Fever. Rugby Press. 1980. 0-9597553-8-1. Auckland, New Zealand. 264–265, 279, 281.
  6. Web site: Manawatu Rugby Union . at the heart of New Zealand provincial rugby . https://web.archive.org/web/20120114062241/http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/cgi-bin/article.cgi?cmd=show&article_id=2586&view=show_body&border=view_community_jubilee . dead . 14 January 2012 . Manawatu Rugby . 19 January 2013 .
  7. Web site: Manawatu Turbos . Manawatu Turbos | 2011 ITM Cup . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719175228/http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/1971.html . dead . 19 July 2011 . Manawaturugby.co.nz . 19 January 2013 .
  8. Web site: Manawatū Rugby Union appoints first female chief executive. George. Heagney. 16 February 2021. Stuff.
  9. Web site: Manawatū Rugby Union boss resigns after almost three years at the helm. Manawatū. reporter. 16 November 2023. Stuff.
  10. Web site: Bush Senior Rugby . Sportsground.co.nz . 19 January 2013.
  11. Web site: Manawatu Rugby Union . at the heart of New Zealand provincial rugby . https://web.archive.org/web/20100524082839/http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/945.html . dead . 24 May 2010 . Manawatu Rugby . 19 January 2013 .
  12. Web site: Stuff. www.stuff.co.nz.
  13. Web site: Stuff. www.stuff.co.nz.
  14. Web site: Stuff. www.stuff.co.nz.
  15. Web site: Stuff. www.stuff.co.nz.
  16. Web site: Stuff. www.stuff.co.nz.
  17. Web site: New Zealand All Blacks rugby team official website, New Zealand Rugby Football Union . Stats.allblacks.com . 19 January 2013.
  18. Web site: Manawatu Rugby Union . at the heart of New Zealand provincial rugby . Manawatu Rugby . 19 January 2013.
  19. Acknowledgement to Clive Akers from the NZ Rugby Museum
  20. Web site: New Zealand All Blacks rugby team official website, New Zealand Rugby Football Union . Stats.allblacks.com . 1 January 1955 . 19 January 2013.
  21. Web site: New Zealand All Blacks rugby team official website, New Zealand Rugby Football Union . Stats.allblacks.com . 19 January 2013.
  22. Web site: Manwatū rugby mourns the death of 'elder statesman' Owen Gleeson . 29 December 2019 .
  23. Web site: Peter Russell confirmed as Turbos head coach .
  24. Web site: Turbos and Cyclones lock in coaches for another year . 19 January 2022 .
  25. Web site: Mike Rogers appointed as new Manawatū Turbos coach . 11 January 2023 .
  26. Web site: Free Jacks Appoint Scott Mathie Head Coach and Mike Rogers Senior Assistant .
  27. Web site: George Heagney . Bucketheads may be missing from stands . Stuff.co.nz . 27 August 2013 . 26 October 2013.
  28. Web site: Manawatu's bucketheads make their presence known at Eden Park | Rugby Union | Photo . ESPN Scrum . 26 October 2013.
  29. Web site: Bucketheads show support during Turbos game . Stuff.co.nz . 7 August 2010 . 26 October 2013.
  30. Web site: Mathew Grocott . Buckethead leader sought for fan group . Stuff.co.nz . 30 June 2011 . 26 October 2013.
  31. Web site: News . Rugby . Bucketheads to make history . RugbyNews . 30 August 2010 . 26 October 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184804/http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/archivearticle/?article=3625 . 29 October 2013 . dmy-all .
  32. Web site: thechiefstribe.com – O/T Manawatu Bucketheads . Rugbynetwork.net . 4 October 2011 . 26 October 2013.
  33. Web site: Preview: Manawatu v Northland - Rugby Union - Sportal New Zealand . www.sportal.co.nz . 2 February 2022 . https://archive.today/20131010033025/http://www.sportal.co.nz/rugby-union/news/rugby-home/preview-manawatu-v-northland-253522 . 10 October 2013 . dead.
  34. Web site: Bucketheads to wear red and yellow – National News . TVNZ . 28 September 2011 . 26 October 2013.
  35. Web site: Manawatu – Rugby News . TVNZ . 22 August 2012 . 26 October 2013.
  36. Web site: 2011 ITM Cup Preview – Manawatu | allblacks.com – official site of the All Blacks . allblacks.com . 6 July 2011 . 26 October 2013.
  37. Web site: Rugby in British Columbia, Canada . Bc Rugby News . 26 September 2012 . 26 October 2013.
  38. Web site: Palmerston North – Home of the Bucket Heads . RugbyGuides . 26 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190346/http://rugbyguides.com/venues/palmerston-north/palmerston-north-home-of-the-bucket-heads/ . 29 October 2013 . dead .
  39. Web site: Manawatu too much for Northland – Story – 3 Sport . 3 News . 26 October 2013.
  40. Web site: Turbos finish strongly – Headlines – Rugby Union . Skysport.co.nz . 24 October 2009 . 26 October 2013.
  41. Web site: Harbour smashed by devastating Manawatu – Yahoo!7 . Au.news.yahoo.com . 24 October 2009 . 26 October 2013.
  42. http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz New Zealand Rugby Museum
  43. Web site: Sport & Rugby Institute . Massey University . June 2, 2018.