Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union Explained

Unionname:Wairarapa Bush
Rugby Football Union
Logosize:150px
Region:Masterton
President:Bryan Weatherstone
Leadertitle:CEO
Leadername:Tony Hargood
Coach:Joe Harwood
Url:http://waibush.co.nz/

The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union is the body that regulates rugby union in Masterton, New Zealand. It was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairapapa and Bush Unions.

The Wairarapa Bush team play in the Heartland Championship from Memorial Park, Masterton. They were the inaugural winners of the Meads Cup after beating Wanganui 16–14 on 21 October 2006.

Championships

Wairarapa Bush won the 2nd division North Island in 1981, 3rd division in 2005 and the Heartland Championship Meads Cup in 2006 and Lochore Cup in 2010.

Heartland Championship placings

Heartland Championship results[1] [2] [3] [4]
Year Place Playoffs
Semi-final Final
200687 0 1 211 130 +81 3 31 2nd Won 16–14 against Wanganui
20078 5 0 3 196 131 +65 3 23 4th Lost 13–30 to North Otago
20088 3 0 5 202 194 +8 7 19 3rd
20098 3 0 5 155 142 +13 5 17 6th No
20106 2 0 4 129 186 −57 3 11 2nd Won 15–9 against Buller
20118 1 0 7 156 231 −75 4 8 10th No
20128 6 0 2 219 130 +89 4 28 3rd Lost 20–23 against Wanganui
20138 6 0 2 203 144 +59 4 28 3rd
20148 1 1 6 151 238 −87 3 9 11th No
20158 4 0 4 238 192 +46 7 23 4th
20168 6 0 2 240 174 +66 6 30 4th
20178 1 0 7 174 313 -139 6 10 11th No
20188 4 0 4 212 195 +17 5 21 6th Lost 23-26 against Horowhenua-Kapiti

Ranfurly Shield

Wairarapa Bush have never held the Ranfurly Shield but Wairarapa held the shield in 1927, 1928 and 1950. Wairarapa Bush were beaten 96–10 by Canterbury in a Ranfurly Shield challenge in July 2006. In July 2015 Wairarapa Bush challenged Hawke's Bay for the Shield but were defeated 58–7.[5]

Wairarapa Bush in Super Rugby

Wairarapa Bush along with Wellington, Horowhenua-Kapiti, East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Wanganui make up the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise.

All Blacks

There have been 29 players selected for the All Blacks from the Wairarapa Bush (from 1971) and when the Union was separated as Wairarapa and Bush Unions.

Wairarapa Bush (from 1971)

Pre 1971

Clubs

Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union is made up of 14 clubs, from north to south:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Standings (2006–present). Heartland Championship. 13 April 2016.
  2. Web site: Fixtures and Results (2006–present). Heartland Championship. 13 April 2016.
  3. Web site: Finalists found in Lochore and Meads Cups . Newshub. 23 October 2010. 13 April 2016.
  4. Web site: 2010 Lochore and Mead Cups finals wrap. 31 October 2010. Heartland Championship. 13 April 2016.
  5. Web site: Hawke's Bay see off Wairarapa Bush to retain Ranfurly Shield . Bidwell, Hamish. Stuff.co.nz. 9 July 2015. 12 April 2016.