In 1969, when John Rumball headed north to Hawkes Bay, Bydder earned for himself a more permanent spot in the Manawatu pack. With Tony Steel of Canterbury injured, his try scoring prowess and great form was enough to earn him a call up to national honours ahead of All Blacks Bill Currey (Taranaki) and Michael Knight (Counties). Manawatu - Squad | Ultimate Rugby Players, News, Fixtures and Live Results Secker gifted to the song to his old rival: To Andrew D Thompson, an old opponent and good friend. wikipedia.en/Awatapu_College.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en An exciting midfielder from the Varsity club. One step ahead, the Hawkes Bay Supporters Club members realised that Hawkeye herself, was too cumbersome and difficult to take onto the field as Ferdinand, Leo and Mooloo were all able to run up and down the sideline and entertain the crowd so a scheme was devised whereby the bird should lay an eggthe egg should hatchand out should come a chick! They are, from the left: L. Richardson, W. Hearn, J. Wenham, A. Barker, M. Sims, W. Nairne (partly obscured), B.W. This led to a homecoming parade through the city streets. 2023, Carlton McRae. Despite their failure to lift the log o wood, Manawatu enjoyed a most successful 1967 season overall, returning a nine wins from 12 outings ratio, with two loses and a draw. An exciting winger who transferred to Manawatu's Ohakea Air Force Base in 1984. Wellington Rugby League For the first and last time of the entire shield campaign of, The Hankins Shield presented each year to the winner of the Manawatu senior club competition is believed to be the oldest prize awarded at senior level in New Zealand rugby. But again, little pressure was being applied to him by the Hawkes Bay loosies. Boult wasn't named in the original Manawatu squad, but was announced in the side for Round 3. Their only other loss was to King Country (0-3, Turangi), with the draw recorded against Otago on August 23rd, 11-11. 740: 1974-77: 30 (4) Feilding "Hayburner" Voted Rugby News' 'All Black player of the tour', to South Africa, 1976. Whanganui rugby - NZHistory, New Zealand history online (born 12 February 1976) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. They subsequently won the final against Bay of Plenty and were promoted to first division. This article has multiple issues. This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 07 August 1958, page 10: "This picture would have been complete with the Ranfurly Shield. One of the great Ranfurly Shield reigns (1976-1978) was followed by an historic National Provincial Championship (NPC) victory in 1980. . In 2011, a resurgent Manawatu Turbos side defeated the Wellington Lions 3125 in Wellington. The Fielding club played a significant role in establishing the game in the province. Learn more about our new head coach . wikipedia.en/Moturoa_AFC.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en VACANCY: Game Development and Operations Manager. 2023 tickets will go on sale in July. The Manawatu game was a turning point, as far as all were concerned, starting on the field. Latest news from the Manawatu Turbos and Cyclones Rogers next on successful McMillan coaching tree Incoming Manawat Turbos coach Mike Rogers has credited the impact of Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan for helping him rise to the provincial rugby head coaching ranks. Slowly the Bay clawed their way back into the game, although it would take twenty minutes before they were able to post their first points in defence of the shield, an Ian Bishop penalty goal from right out in front. Read more Sustainable success key for coach Rogers Manawatu also provided J.F. However, Manawatu rallied to record a victory 1510. At centre, was school teacher, Lindsay Meads. In the final analysis, Naas Botha was the difference between the two sides. There was experience aplenty besides in the inside back combination of half back, Don McCaskie (who would be playing his 99th game for Manawatu), and first five-eighth, Campbell John Stewart who had played almost 60 first class matches (50 of those for Wellington between 1956-1964, plus All Black trials). Manawatu held the Ranfurly Shield from 1976 to 1978 and this was followed by victory in the 1980 First Division Championship. Wikizero - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium As the season progressed, others would queue for up to three days in advance of this time, just to get their hands on them. Looking ahead to the shield campaign, the writers take a closer look at Hepa Paewai. Late 1980s to mid 2000s - second division, In 1988, the union was relegated to the second division for the first time. He was soon recognized as an outstanding side-ranker, strong and fit, who enjoyed the open aspects of his position, adept in any of the loose forward roles. There was a hell of a roar when we were about 50 yards from the gates and we thought the game had started early, but it was the unveiling of Hawkeye and Hawkeye Junior. Manawatu Rugby Union - History - NPC & Ranfurly Shield Axed All Blacks forwards coach John Plumtree has found himself a new role just weeks after he got his marching orders from the NZR. Wikizero - Manawatu Rugby Union For the Manawatu Rugby governing body, see, Manawatu (National Provincial Championship). Brian Kitchen played his 50th match for the Manawatu in their next outing following their shield challenge, a 14-8 win over the Wairarapa in Palmerston North. The side had early success winning the Ranfurly Shield 18-16 against Wairarapa. In 1996 Manawatu and Hawke's Bay merged their teams to form the Central Vikings Rugby Union. manawatu rugby team 1976 - americanuzbekistan.org The Turbos led 3517 at halftime, eventually winning 5420. This saw the team into the semi-finals. [3], The first recorded match in the Manawatu took place on 13 July 1878. Manawatu Rugby Team arriving at Milson Airport with the Ranfurly Shield Also a more than useful flanker, the Saturday before the shield match, the farmer had played his 50th match for the province, against Bush. An old boy of the Te Aute and St. Stephens 1st XVs, the 24 year old had first played for Manawatu in 1963 Paewai did not play for Manawatu in 1966, but the previous season he had played for club and province as a five- eighth, with two further appearances for Manawatu-Horowhenua against Taranaki (a 6-6 draw in Palmerston North) and the Springboks. With All Black hooking incumbent, Andy Dalton, unavailable for the All Blacks' tour to Argentina in 1985, Hemara was his natural replacement. Head to the Manawat Community Rugby website, Rogers next on successful McMillan coaching tree, Manawat Turbos & Cyclones (@ManawatuRugby). Since then he had made only consecutive appearances in the Manawatu front row and was nearing the 50 match mark. A later song (early 1980s) was used prior to NPC and Ranfurly Shield challenges: This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 06:48. Carrying the shield are the captain Duncan Hales (left) and Mark Wright. Read on to discover even more about the Manawatu rugby team. As a young vet student, he transferred to Massey University in 1966, making his debut for the Manawatu (at centre) against Wanganui, in a Bruce Steel Cup match in Palmerston North (won 15-12 by Manawatu). Manawatu Rugby Union Wikipedia Republished // WIKI 2 The Manawatu rugby union was formed back in 1886. On the streets and in the pubs in Napier and Hastings, at the sale yards in Dannevirke, Wairoa and Waipukurau, in the back blocks of Porangahau, Nuhaka, Maraekakaho, followers of the national game throughout Hawkes Bay were talking only about the sheer, euphoric excitement of defending the Ranfurly Shield and for a lot of them, for the first time in their natural lifetimes. Manawatu scored a 2010 win over Australia in 1978. Gerald, a hooker, played a total of 66 games for Manawatu between 1960 1964, his playing career ended by an accident on his farm when he was dragged by a horse. The black and whites would add another try before the interval. Semenoff Stadium Sustainable success key for coach Rogers. He played all three tests against France, plus for Manawatu in their 3-8 loss in tour match number seven. In 2005, Manawatu were heavily defeated 6109 by the touring British and Irish Lions at Palmerston North. Eventually, outlying catchment areas of Ashurst, Fielding, Rongotea, Linton and Bulls all came under the unions jurisdiction by drawn provincial boundaries. This email address is being protected from spambots. A surname synonymous with the much vaunted Fielding club, Kitchen, would provide three of the Manawatu challenging side or 1/5 of the team make-up Brian, Donald and Rex. A farmer, he was a star for the PNBHS 1st XV for several seasons. Debuted for the All Blacks against the 1971 Lions. This kept the Turbos unbeaten at home for the season. His elevation to the New Zealand Colts to tour Australia in 1964 was just reward and Cornelius played in three tour matches; against Victoria (60-3, Melbourne), Australian Universities (22-6, Sydney) and Queensland (12-30, Brisbane). Afterward in the showers, Nesdale was massaging his wounded stomach, only to have Lochore add; That wont come off you know KJ!. Hed run around his opposite on a couple of occasions, with a good turn of pace and a solid looking fend and his centre kicking had put the Manawatu defence to the test. Ron de Cleene played in both matches against Japan and in eight in total, scoring ten tries. Rogers next on successful McMillan coaching tree. PNHSOB defeated Waverly in the final on September 30th, the curtain-raiser to the season finale between Manawatu and Taranaki. When the National Provincial Championship was born in 1976, the modern day Manawatu rugby team was formed. Rugby : statistieken onderlinge duels tussen Moana Pasifika en Waikato In 199798 Manawatu entered into an amalgamation with Hawke's Bay, as the "Central Vikings", and wore orange and blue. Nesdale recalls the closest he ever went to having to leave the park was when Brian Lochore ordered Wairarapa lock, Bob Meadows, deliver a punch to the solar plexus as Nesdale was giving grief to the opposition front row. The lyric "Let them feel the power of country might" was surely written with him in mind. Manawatu (National Provincial Championship) - Wikipedia Festooned in an ocean of black and white, members of the Hawkes Bay Supporters Club (membership having risen from 40 to over 600) sat under the giant bird on the embankment selling cardboard hats, ribbons and badges. Later, as part of the successful first defence debrief, it was decided that - and happened forevermore from this point on the squad would meet at the hotel on the Friday night before the match. Northland won the final 6310. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The wing three-quarter played in all 12 of Manawatus outings in 1967 and gained a berth for himself in the first U23 trial in New Plymouth, but did not make the New Zealand Juniors. Wanganui currently competes . Spotting the Manawatu winger, Rex Kitchen, out of position, Hepa Paewai ran the blind to the left and from outside the 25, kicked ahead toward the Manawatu goal line. Bulls School, Manawatu, NZ Agricultural ScienceObtaining milk from Bulls 1974 - 1976 Activities and Societies: Rugby United States Coast - Sea School OUPVCaptain License 2020 - Present OUPV. It was Manawatu's first competition win over Wellington in the capital, after 124 years of trying. The team is also affiliated with the Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific franchise. The team captain for 1966 and 1967 who had represented the green and whites since 1956 played his last game for the province against Wanganui (19-3, Palmerston North), having to leave the field injured and replaced by his immediate successor, Brian Cuff from the Palmerston North High School Old Boys club. Manawatu Rugby Union - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Besides the eight that played in the unsuccessful shield challenge in Napier, the only other forward who got on the park was David Bydder. They just wanted to be part of it.. The union was originally established in 1886, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. Only some poor tactical options by McCaskie and Stewart outside him, kept the Bay in the match, as the Manawatu inside backs looked to dictate field position and kicked away what ended up being close to 80% of possession. Peter Russell (2019 - 2022): Formerly coach of Marist St Pats (Wellington), Wairarapa Bush, Hawkes Bay, Newcastle Falcons and Japanese club NEC Green Rockets. In an era where New Zealand were served by a plethora of quality half- backs, the prospect of him playing for his country was never really touted with any degree of seriousness, but there is little doubt that he had given all he had to his provincial outfit. However, due to financial issues, the merger split back to Manawatu and Hawke's Bay as separate unions. Under the coaching of Graham Hamer, they won the Ranfurly Shield in 1976 beating Auckland 12-10. History of the Manawatu Rugby Team The Manawatu rugby union was formed back in 1886. This was played against Taranaki at Pukekura Park. Manawatu!" On the Ball became very popular, especially once published by music company Chas. Was one of the first All Blacks to publicly complain about the financial burden of amateur rugby. The Manawatu Rugby Team defeated Auckland 12 to 10 on Saturday 21 August 1976, to win the Ranfurly Shield. Their next challenge came ten years later, in 1924, where they would lose 315 to Hawke's Bay. 596: 1959: 1 (1) Marist : Debuted at aged 31. He played in the two warm up matches against Otago (9-3, Dunedin) and Southland (3-24, Invercargill), but was only a reserve against the tourists. Palmerston North is the home of the New Zealand Rugby Museum[35] and also the Sport & Rugby Institute at the Turitea Campus, Massey University. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. In 2009, Central Energy Trust Arena was the venue for a Highlanders home game against the Bulls from South Africa. Manawatu Rugby Union - Wikipedia Perhaps the greatest tribute ever paid to Tommy Ingram came from Norm McKenzie, when addressing the Dannevirke Rugby Sub-Union; It may be cold comfort but it will be some consolation for Tom Ingram to know that he was the next on the list as half back to go to South Africa with the All Blacks in 1949.. Crosswell wasn't named in the original Manawatu squad, but was announced in the side for Round 4. Blair Furlong hammered the ball toward the wing and when Kel Tremain got his hands on it, he found the fast friends outside him. The Manawat Rugby Union are pleased to announce the appointment of The Manawat Cyclones Are you ready to take on a leadership opportunity in rugby? Le Quesne believed that, because of their collective experience, the immense pressure the side was already enduring and the sheer importance of it being the first defence, all three must play. The match was played in Wellington (Hawkes Bay had played and drawn 0-0 with Wellington on June 18) and it is presumed that the game was played there to facilitate . The Senior WRL competition involves 9 teams in the Premier Grade with most fielding a Reserve Grade team also: Petone Panthers (Lower Hutt) Porirua Vikings (Porirua) Randwick Kingfishers . Also in 2011, Manawatu scored 54 points against Waikato team at Arena Manawatu. Considerably experienced, Meads from the Bulls club made his first class debut for Wanganui in 1961, a 3-18 loss to the King Country in Taumarunui. [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. A fishmonger who died in 1919 aged 38. Manawat Rugby Union 30 Waldegrave StreetPalmerston North4440. By geographical association, the Hawkes Bay and Manawatu players knew each other very well. Developed, built, hosted and supported locally by Trio Technology. Thousands turned out as the Napier City Band, Hawkeye, Hawkettes and the mighty bird herself led the parade down crowd-lined Emerson Street. The likelihood is that the annual Queens Birthday fixture against Wellington for example would probably have been shifted to toward the end of the season to accommodate a shield challenge and draw a handsome gate for the Manawatu Rugby Union. Stewart, considered by many to be unlucky not to have been chosen to represent his country, moved to the Manawatu in 1965, having largely kept his under-study, Neil Wolfe, out of the Wellington side, but then watched on playing second fiddle as Wolfe made the All Blacks in 1961 for the series against the French. Fans of the team are known as bucketheads because many of them wear plastic garden buckets that have been cut to shape during matches. The union the inaugural winner of the NPC in 1976 has experienced equal measures of agony and ecstasy throughout its history, but one thing it could never be accused of, being boring. This play was instrumental in setting up Alan Hewson's famous last-minute penalty goal.[1]. [1] In 2011, the union celebrated its 125th jubilee. Napier came alive to the noise, humour and gaiety of this welcome diversion from the tense rugby that would shortly follow. People went mad over the shield. A fine goal kicker in his own right, he had also made an appearance at centre three days prior, for the combined Wanganui-King Country side against the Springboks (19-24, Wanganui). The union was originally established in 1886, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. 101 were here. The MRU's purpose is to lead, grow and. The referee then required a police escort off Showgrounds Oval (as it was known) while Manawatu fans showed their disgust and disappointment. In the semi-final, the Vikings would go on to beat Bay of Plenty and came up against Northland in the final. An injury which forced him from the field against Horowhenua in 1966 (and prevented him playing the next two fixtures with Wairarapa and Canterbury), disrupting his own personal continuity. Called in to the All Blacks squad as injury cover and made his debut against France in June 2018. Fred Allens trip to Napier had been a success, thus, Samuel Cuningham Strahan became the Manawatus 14th All Black and only the second locally born (the first being wing, Archie Law, who played four matches in Australia in 1925). Donald, a sound second five-eighth, quick in acceleration, played games for Manawatu in his debut season, then left the province to join the Army and was based at Burnham Camp in Christchurch. Doug Curtis had a fine game. Moved to Waikato before becoming an All Black. Counties Manukau Manawatu skre iv (a online pm penos) zan 10. Ian Bishop converted and at half-time, the holders led by 11 points to 3. Counties Manukau have uncovered an exciting Fijian flyer, with winger Peniasi Malimali scorching the Manawatu Turbos. After such a nervous and tentative start with the log, the players and Le Quesne decided that for the remainder a far more relaxed approach toward the shield matches was warranted. Locking the scrum with Sam Strachan was his Oroua club-mate, Frank Thompson. Mick OCallaghan was the top try scorer in New Zealand domestic rugby during 1968 with 13. The open game - not all that evident during the first defence - had not been forgotten, but it was not going to be played simply for the sake of it. Manawatu Turbos (Rugby team) (3) New Zealand Rugby Union (3) Otago Region (3) Politicians (3 . Carrire. June 29, 2022; creative careers quiz; ken thompson net worth unix A week later he was in the Wanganui side beaten 0-14 by the touring Australians. My two mates and I got a hell of a fright as we made our way to the ground that day. Northland were thus promoted to the first division. We all profited from the experience and amended our ideas accordingly.. With prop Kent Lambert sent-off, Manawatu were reduced to 14-men in their defense of the Ranfurly Shield against the Counties side in 1977. As a newcomer to the provincial scene, he began his career on the wing and made appearances for Wanganui, between, There was experience aplenty besides in the inside back combination of half back, Don McCaskie (who would be playing his 99th game for Manawatu), and first five-eighth, Campbell John Stewart who had played almost 60 first class matches (50 of those for Wellington between, Hawkeye Junior missed the inaugural shield parade, with his official hatching still a few hours away. Won the New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year trophy in 1981. 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. The star of the South African backline was centre, John Gainsford from the Western Province, who made many powerful, slashing runs through the middle of the park. This includes Jamie Booth and Brayden Iose, who both represent the Hurricanes. The Ranfurly Shield has only been won by the Manawatu team once, though is was successfully defended 13 times. Hawkes Bay: Ian Bishop, Doug Curtis, Bill Davis, Dennis Smith, Ian MacRae, Blair Furlong, Hepa Paewai, Dave Bone, Gary Condon, Rod Abel, Kaaran Crawford, Kel Tremain, Neil Thimbleby, Myles Reddy, Hilton Meech. 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, B Besides Rod Abel, Ian Bishop, already suffering from the flu, was involved in a car accident on the Saturday morning. Kevin Nesdale usurped brother Geralds record of 44 straight appearances in Manawatus match with Wanganui (19-3, Palmerston North) in 1967. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Went to Penrith Panthers in the NSWRL, 1978. Tom Ingram was and this is quite some statement for a province that has produced some of the very best one of the finest half backs ever to play for Hawkes Bay and local folk during his playing days were astounded that he never attained higher honours. NPC AND FPC DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2022. Jack Gleeson: (1965-69) - Coach of the New Zealand national under-21 rugby union team from 1975 to 1976 and the All Blacks from 1977 to 1978. For the first and last time of the entire shield campaign of 1967-1969, the Hawkes Bay team and management convened at the Criterion Hotel (also in Emerson Street) just prior to the festivities on Saturday morning before the Manawatu match. As is commonly acknowledged, a rugby ball allowed to bounce can lead to all sorts of trouble and by following up in a flash and collecting the loose ball Dave Bone crashed over for a try in the tackle of Manawatu full back, Ray Paewai. In May 1968, he took his place in the early All Black trial to select the team for Australia, scoring a try in the Possibles side beaten 6-35. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; Carrying the shield are the captain Duncan Hales (left) and Mark Wright. Sunday, 02 October at 2:05 PM, Latest news from the Manawatu Turbos and Cyclones. In 1979 Auckland had won back the Ranfurly shield and denied Manawatu a challenge in 1980. Rugby : opposing team statistics Moana Pasifika and Waikato Chiefs (New Zealand) . 9. His only test against the 1959 Lions, the famous 1st test where. An imposing line-out specialist with the pace of a wing three-quarter. Rob Foreman who took over his record started 33 matches and came off the bench 25 times. In 1966 he had played one game for the red and blacks (against Marlborough at Lancaster Park, won 16-14 by the visitors) before returning to the Manawatu, for whom he made a further seven appearances. All Black selector, Fred Allen, had come to Napier for the Manawatu challenge, specifically to watch Strachan, searching for a lock to partner Colin Meads following the premature retirement of his brother Stan. Manawatu beat Auckland 1210 at Eden Park in 1976 to win the coveted Log 'o Wood, as the Ranfurly Shield is sometimes referred to, for the first time. Paladin's full range of Turbos and Cyclones merchandise is on sale now! Manawatu Rugby Team | Manawatu Turbos | RugbyPass Today, the Manawatu rugby team competes in the championship division of the competition and they play their home games at Central Energy Trust Arena, which has a capacity of 18,000. With a high concentration of top quality rugby schools in the Manawatu there is always something happening. They would defend the Shield 13 times before losing in controversial fashion 12-10 to North Auckland in 1978. Became the All Black's first choice halfback in 2013. To view the competition ladder select the competition and then view the full competition. An accomplished, self-taught pianist, a fine singer and student of Charles Dickens, Secker composed the song while sitting at the piano in the Club Hotel, the unofficial clubrooms of the Palmerston North side. About Us - Turbos - Home of Manawatu Rugby The boys in blue and black went one better in 1913 with an 11-6 victory over Australia, and in 1966 they combined with neighbours King Country to topple the British Lions 12-6 at Whanganui. Nesdale held a Manawatu record until 2011 with 58 consecutive appearances for his province, but it must be stated that unlike the professional era where tactical substitutions are the norm - he played the full 80 minutes in every one of those matches. There was a tremendous build-up in the home press and on local radio, adding to the tension and excitement. Access all the information on all of Manawatu Rugby's Senior Club Competitions including draws, results and documents. Within weeks of Manawatus challenge, Sam Strahan would play first for the North Island and then make his test debut against Australia, in the Jubilee test in Wellington won by New Zealand by 29-9. In his most memorable game for Manawatu, Strahan was largely responsible for his team's (squandered) 35-17 line-out advantage. Since then, the team has won the overall championship on one occasion, in 1980. Representatives - Manawatu Rugby Union In 1996 Manawatu and Hawke's Bay merged their teams to form the Central Vikings Rugby Union . Smith joining Aaron Cruden meant for the first time since 1986, two All Blacks came from Manawatu. Formidable prop forward. Following the Universities Inter-Island clash of June 21st (won 8-6 by the North) he played for NZU against Auckland at Eden Park three days later, the home side winning by the same scoreline of 8-6, de Cleene coming on to replace injured captain, Neil Cullimore. Lindsay Meads played just once for Wanganui in 1966 and after transferring to the Manawatu and playing for the powerful Oroua side, his early season club form in 1967 warranted a call up to the representative team, where Jack Gleeson had given him the nod over the incumbent at centre, John Lundy. Turbos head coach confirmed. It was the first time on tour that New Zealanders had seen in the flesh, the young Springbok captain, Dawie de Villiers and the half-back did not disappoint. Two penalties to Kevin Briscoe saw Taranaki lead 6-0 at half-time, the sole points of the second spell being a dropped goal to Jimmy Taitoko, the Maori All Black regarded as somewhat of a modern day George Nepia. Upon the teams return to New Zealand, he played in a match against a Wellington XV on March 25th, won by the Universities by 27-3, scoring one of his sides six tries. Kevins record run began with a match against Bush (19-8, Pahiatua) in July, 1964 and ended with the last match of the 1968 season, a 12-23 loss to Taranaki in New Plymouth. Home. Thompson had been a Manawatu rep since 1961, making his debut on the last Saturday of that season against Taranaki, Manawatu crashing to an 8-29 home defeat. But by 1933, the two provinces opted to go their own separate ways. Stensness looked to have a long and distinguished career in the number 12 jersey for the All Blacks ahead of him. Tickets went on sale to the public at 5:30pm on the Tuesday evening preceding the Manawatu match, where large queues had formed, some for hours, outside McLean Park. It was no surprise then at seasons end when he was selected to tour the Northern Hemisphere, where his rugby allegedly improved with every outing. Some of those players - like All Black skipper Graeme Mourie - went. Manawatu returned in 1999 to the second division. Widely regarded as the first match ever played in the Manawatu, Fielding FC hosted a Rangitikei combined clubs XV on July 13, 1878. Manawatu Rugby Union. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Toured Britain in 1972/73 before retiring in 1973. He also received a South Island trial in 1965. Founded in 1886, Manawatu is one of New Zealand's oldest rugby unions. In addition to this, the Manawatu rugby squad also includes several Super Rugby Pacific players.