Manawhenua was a 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...

 rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 team made from the Manawatu and Horowhenua provinces. Manawatu and Horowhenua amalgamated in 1925 and split again in 1933.

Ranfurly Shield

In Manawhenua's short existence it managed to take part in six Ranfurly Shield

Ranfurly Shield

The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...

matches between 1927 and 1929. Manawhenua had three successful challenges in 1927 when it took the Shield off Wairarapa and defended it twice before losing to Canterbury.

1927
6-8-27,Carterton, Manawhenua 18 vs Wairarapa 16

31-8-27,Palmerston North, Manawhenua 9 vs Taranaki 3

3-9-27,Palmerston North, Manawhenua 25 vs Wanganui 6

7-9-27,Palmerston North, Canterbury 17 vs Manawhenua 6

1928
15-9-28,Carterton, Wairarapa 31 vs Manawhenua 10

1929
17-8-29,Masterton, Wairarapa 37 vs Manawhenua 16