North Otago Rugby Football Union
Encyclopedia
The North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its second year, 2007 as well as 2010. Their home ground is Whitestone Contracting Stadium, formerly Centennial Park.
The North Otago Rugby Football Union was founded in 1927 and over the years they have had many highs and lows. In 1930 they hosted the All Blacks before the first test against the British and Irish Lions, In 1962 they hosted and beat Australia during their tour of New Zealand. In the NPC they had sat near the bottom of the third division table until they beat Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
in the final in 2002 and moved to the second division where they were regular semi-finalists.
In the 2006 Heartland Championship they lost the Meads Cup semi-final to Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
after being pre-tournament favourites. In 2007 they won the Meads Cup after beating Wanganui 25-8 in the final. Their rugby gear is made by Samurai Sportswear
.
In the 2010 competition they won the Meads Cup final 39-18 at home against Wanganui.
at the Oamaru Showgrounds before the All Blacks
first test against the British and Irish Lions
, however North Otago lost 6-34. 1946 saw the first Hanan Shield
fixture with a 6-9 loss against South Canterbury
. In 1947 North Otago had two Ranfurly Shield
challenges but both were unsuccessful. 1962 saw the province record a fantastic win over Australia
14-13 and another win against Southland
19-8 but then a narrow loss to Otago
14-11. In 1965 North Otago produced some magic rugby to beat Otago
18-11. The highlight of the 1971 season was the selection of Kurow's Phil Gard for the All Blacks
, fourth test against the Lions at Eden Park. The 1980s were unsuccessful years as North Otago won very few games.
The highlight of the early 1990s was a Ranfurly Shield
challenge in 1993 when Auckland
brought the trophy on tour. The crowd went delirious after 5 minutes when Brent McEwan scored a try from a set move to give North Otago a 5-0 lead. However, the talent of Auckland
then shone through and they scored 139 unanswered points. John Kirwan scored eight tries. The 1997 season proved to be a fairytale effort with the team having its best season yet in NPC
rugby. The side finished as top qualifier, won its home semi final and went down to in the final.
1998 saw North Otago lose only two of its nine games. North Otago was now winning more games in a season than it used to win in a decade. A lot of the credit for the massive resurgence in North Otago rugby during this period must go to the outstanding coaches, Greg Shipton and Peter Cook. In 2000, Glenn Moore took over the reins with Paddy Stewart. Moore, a former Mid Canterbury
representative, had instant success with the side and only narrowly lost the final against East Coast
21-25. 2001 looked like North Otago's season, winning all of its seven games. However in the final it was a disappointing four point loss to South Canterbury 16-20. 2002 saw the North Otago Rugby Union celebrate its 75th jubilee and it indeed appropriate that in the 75th year of its existence the side should take the third division title beating Horowhenua 43-19 before an ecstatic crowd. 2003 and the challenges of Division Two was very much a daunting task. However, the team responded magnificently and finished in the top four but lost the semi final to Hawke's Bay in Napier in controversial circumstances. The highlight of the season was a superb win against Counties-Manukau. 2004 saw North Otago once again playing above its weight making the semi finals before going down to Nelson Bays.
The North Otago Rugby Football Union clubs used to play against the South Canterbury
club sides in a combined competition before the combined otago competition.
North Otago also have two strong secondary school teams:
North Otago have handed out some upsets to teams in the past which included a win over Australia
14-13 in 1962.
The highlight of the early 1990s was a Ranfurly Shield
challenge in 1993 when Auckland brought the trophy on tour. The crowd went delirious after 5 minutes when Brent McEwan scored a try from a set move to give North Otago a 5-0 lead. However, the talent of Auckland
then shone through and they scored 139 unanswered points. John Kirwan scored eight tries.
2002 saw the North Otago Rugby Football Union celebrate its 75th jubilee and it indeed appropriate that in the 75th year of its existence the side should take the third division title beating Horowhenua 43-19 before an ecstatic crowd. North Otago are currently the holders of the Hanan Shield
.
In 2007, North Otago won the Meads Cup trophy in the Heartland Championship
, defeating Wanganui
25-8.
matches but are yet to win. North Otago played its first challenge on 27 August 1938 going down to Otago at Carisbrook by 12-0. Their most recent Shield challenge was on 9 July 2010 against current holders Southland.
is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand
's domestic rugby union
competition. First played for in 1946, the Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury
and Mid Canterbury
. North Otago's best win was in 1997 when they defeated South Canterbury
20-17 to bring the Hanan Shield
back to North Otago for the first time in 30 years. Mid Canterbury
are the current holders of the Hanan Shield
.
team the Highlanders. North Otago along with Otago
and Southland
make up the Highlanders
Super 14
team that competes in the Super Rugby competition against other New Zealand teams, and also Australian and South African teams.
final against South Canterbury
, North Otago set out to play harder, faster, and more superb rugby in 2002, And that is exactly what they did. Starting their season off with a Hanan Shield
match against Mid Canterbury
, winning the game 43-16. For the first match of the NPC
season they played West Coast
. North Otago hardly let the coasters have the ball and eased to a 60-6 victory. South Canterbury
had the home advantage for the next match but North Otago were still haunted by the memories of 2001 and it showed, North Otago sealing the game 39-9 and also taking the Lochore Cup off them. Back home with the shields and cups, North Otago showed Buller
who was boss and a 38-15 win was created. A trip up to Waikanae to play Horowhenua-Kapiti
was good for the boys and even better was the 40-0 at the end of the 80 minutes. Back home for their next two games and sitting nicely at the top of the standings they had nothing to worry about. Wanganui
tried but failed to win, North Otago running away with the game 73-7. Poverty Bay
came and went with nothing, scoring five tries but still not good enough losing to North Otago 49-32. Masterton was the next venue for North Otago against Wairarapa-Bush
But the locals were unable to cause an upset North Otago winning 27-14. A Quick trip to Taupo
to play King Country
and almost repeating their last games score winning 27-16. So North Otago were into the semi finals. And again having to play South Canterbury
in a final. But North Otago provided way to strong winning the match 58-10. So North Otago secured a home final and had to play Horowhenua-Kapiti
. With conditions not quite what players and fans had hoped for, North Otago started pulling.Horowhenua-Kapiti
tried to get back in the game but North Otago were playing a higher grade of rugby and when the referee blew his whistle to end the match, North Otago had won the title they had been waiting more than four years to get, winning the match 43-19.
but again losing in the semi-final. But 2007 was a new year and north otago were focused on making the final. North Otago's first game was against buller in Oamaru. Buller managed to get 20 points in but North Otago more than doubled their score taking it away 51-20. A trip to Gisbourne and another win north otago beating Poverty Bay 31-11.
North Otago went back home for a Hanan Shield
defence against South Cantbury, and continued in their winning streak beating SC 26-7. Another home game another win North Otago beating East Coast 38-5.
It was then off to play Wanganui. The Wanganui crowd cheered their team on but their cheering could not prevent North Otago's 39-16 win. King Country came down to play but they never got in the game and North Otago cruised out to a 52-5 lead. Wairarapa Bush tried hard and only just bet North Otago 15-7. One more pool match for North Otago to play and another home game. The crowd came to watch North Otago win but the win never came, Mid-Canterbury took the game and earnt the 25-22 win.
But the season was not over. North Otago had secured a home semi-final and it was against Wairarapa Bush. Last time the teams faced it was Wairarapa who won, but this time (with the help of loyal locals) North Otago showed the public who was stronger and won the match 30-13. So it was into the finals for North Otago. The conditions were perfect and the local Oamaru people had come out in force to wish their team well. North Otago played hard but so did Wanganui. And the game looked like it may have gone Wanganuis way. But North Otago stayed strong and then turned up the heat winning the Heartland Championship
Meads Cup
Final 25-8
whilst playing their club rugby in North Otago.
In 1965 and 1966 Ian (Spooky) Smith
, who played for the Old Boys Club was selected for tests against South Africa and Campbell Lamberton's Lions.
Kurow's Phil Gard
was selected for the All Blacks
in 1971 when he played the fourth and final test against the British Lions and was on the All Blacks
1972 internal tour.
And in 2007 North Otago won the Heartland Championship beating Wanganui 25-8, and also beat Wanganui in the 2010 final 39-18. All Finals were played at Centennial Park in Oamaru.
The North Otago Rugby Football Union was founded in 1927 and over the years they have had many highs and lows. In 1930 they hosted the All Blacks before the first test against the British and Irish Lions, In 1962 they hosted and beat Australia during their tour of New Zealand. In the NPC they had sat near the bottom of the third division table until they beat Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
-Representative Rugby:The Horowhenua-Kapiti team play from Levin Domain, Levin and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they were runner-ups in the 3rd division in 2005....
in the final in 2002 and moved to the second division where they were regular semi-finalists.
In the 2006 Heartland Championship they lost the Meads Cup semi-final to Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....
after being pre-tournament favourites. In 2007 they won the Meads Cup after beating Wanganui 25-8 in the final. Their rugby gear is made by Samurai Sportswear
Samurai Sportswear
Samurai International Sportswear Limited is a privately owned English sports company specialising in the manufacturing of bespoke team wear sports apparel as well as the supply of equipment...
.
In the 2010 competition they won the Meads Cup final 39-18 at home against Wanganui.
History
The North Otago Rugby Football Union was formed in 1904 but didn't join the NZRFU until 1927. In 1930 North Otago played the All BlacksNew Zealand Rugby Football Union
The New Zealand Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand, it was founded in 1892, 12 years after the first Provincial Unions in New Zealand, and in 1949, became an affiliate to the International Rugby Board, the governing body of Rugby Union for the world...
at the Oamaru Showgrounds before the All Blacks
New Zealand Rugby Football Union
The New Zealand Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand, it was founded in 1892, 12 years after the first Provincial Unions in New Zealand, and in 1949, became an affiliate to the International Rugby Board, the governing body of Rugby Union for the world...
first test against the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
, however North Otago lost 6-34. 1946 saw the first Hanan Shield
Hanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
fixture with a 6-9 loss against South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
. In 1947 North Otago had two 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...
challenges but both were unsuccessful. 1962 saw the province record a fantastic win over Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
14-13 and another win against Southland
Southland Rugby
The Southland Rugby Football Union is a provincial rugby union who govern the Southland Region founded in 1886. The headquarters of Southland Rugby are in Invercargill, New Zealand however the Southland Union also covers country teams such as Midlands of Winton and Excelsior Rugby Club of Gore.The...
19-8 but then a narrow loss to Otago
Otago Rugby Football Union
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
14-11. In 1965 North Otago produced some magic rugby to beat Otago
Otago Rugby Football Union
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
18-11. The highlight of the 1971 season was the selection of Kurow's Phil Gard for the All Blacks
New Zealand Rugby Football Union
The New Zealand Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand, it was founded in 1892, 12 years after the first Provincial Unions in New Zealand, and in 1949, became an affiliate to the International Rugby Board, the governing body of Rugby Union for the world...
, fourth test against the Lions at Eden Park. The 1980s were unsuccessful years as North Otago won very few games.
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...
challenge in 1993 when Auckland
Auckland Rugby Football Union
The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...
brought the trophy on tour. The crowd went delirious after 5 minutes when Brent McEwan scored a try from a set move to give North Otago a 5-0 lead. However, the talent of Auckland
Auckland Rugby Football Union
The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...
then shone through and they scored 139 unanswered points. John Kirwan scored eight tries. The 1997 season proved to be a fairytale effort with the team having its best season yet in NPC
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
rugby. The side finished as top qualifier, won its home semi final and went down to in the final.
Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand.-History:The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed in 1904 as Ashburton Country when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union...
representative, had instant success with the side and only narrowly lost the final against East Coast
East Coast Rugby Football Union
The East Coast Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located on the East Coast of the North Island, based in Ruatoria. It is the smallest Union in New Zealand in the sense of player numbers and population base...
21-25. 2001 looked like North Otago's season, winning all of its seven games. However in the final it was a disappointing four point loss to South Canterbury 16-20. 2002 saw the North Otago Rugby Union celebrate its 75th jubilee and it indeed appropriate that in the 75th year of its existence the side should take the third division title beating Horowhenua 43-19 before an ecstatic crowd. 2003 and the challenges of Division Two was very much a daunting task. However, the team responded magnificently and finished in the top four but lost the semi final to Hawke's Bay in Napier in controversial circumstances. The highlight of the season was a superb win against Counties-Manukau. 2004 saw North Otago once again playing above its weight making the semi finals before going down to Nelson Bays.
Club Rugby
North Otago Rugby Football Union is made up of six clubs who play against the Otago Metropolitan Premier Division 2 teams in a combined club competition before playing out for the local Citizens Shield:- Excelsior
- Athletic
- Kurow
- Maheno
- Old Boys
- Valley
The North Otago Rugby Football Union clubs used to play against the South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
club sides in a combined competition before the combined otago competition.
North Otago also have two strong secondary school teams:
- Waitaki Boys High School
- Saint Kevins College
Representative Rugby
Since North Otago's founding in 1927 they have recorded many fantastic wins, and many not so fantastic losses but one thing remains the same, the legacy of the union.North Otago have handed out some upsets to teams in the past which included a win over Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
14-13 in 1962.
The highlight of the early 1990s was a 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...
challenge in 1993 when Auckland brought the trophy on tour. The crowd went delirious after 5 minutes when Brent McEwan scored a try from a set move to give North Otago a 5-0 lead. However, the talent of Auckland
Auckland Rugby Football Union
The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...
then shone through and they scored 139 unanswered points. John Kirwan scored eight tries.
2002 saw the North Otago Rugby Football Union celebrate its 75th jubilee and it indeed appropriate that in the 75th year of its existence the side should take the third division title beating Horowhenua 43-19 before an ecstatic crowd. North Otago are currently the holders of the Hanan Shield
Hanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
.
In 2007, North Otago won the Meads Cup trophy in the Heartland Championship
Heartland Championship
The Heartland Championship New Zealand Division One competition, known for sponsorship reasons as the AA Rewards Heartland Championship, is a domestic rugby union competition in New Zealand. It was founded in 2006 as one of two successor competitions to the country's former domestic competition,...
, defeating Wanganui
Wanganui Rugby Football Union
The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....
25-8.
Ranfurly Shield
Since North Otago were founded they have played in 11 Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly 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 but are yet to win. North Otago played its first challenge on 27 August 1938 going down to Otago at Carisbrook by 12-0. Their most recent Shield challenge was on 9 July 2010 against current holders Southland.
- 27 August 1938, Otago 12 North Otago 0
- 28 September 1946, Southland 15 North Otago 3 (halfback Viv Wright kicked a penalty)
- 27 September 1947, Otago 42 North Otago 3 (70 metre try to winger Mort Fountain)
- 21 August 1971, Canterbury 14 North Otago 0
- 1 September 1973, Marlborough 26 North Otago 9 (Paddy Ford kicked two penalties and Jeff Gardiner a 55 metre field goal)
- 31 August 1974, South Canterbury 9 North Otago 3 (Paddy Ford kicked a penalty)
- 20 July 1983, Canterbury 88 North Otago 0
- 1 September 1993, Auckland 139 North Otago 5 (Brent McEwan, 1 try)
- 8 July 2000, Waikato 95 North Otago 17 (Dean Paterson 1 try, Simon Porter 4 penalties )
- 2003, Canterbury 85 North Otago 24 (Campbell Mackenzie, Pila Fifita, Scott Mayhew and Mike Mavor scoring tries, Michael Ruthven and Tevita Asi kicking conversions)
- 2008, Auckland 113 North Otago 3 (Nathan Cunningham penalty)
- 9 July 2010, Southland 48 North Otago 3
Hanan Shield
The Hanan ShieldHanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
is one of the most prestigious trophies in 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...
's domestic 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...
competition. First played for in 1946, the Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
and Mid Canterbury
Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand.-History:The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed in 1904 as Ashburton Country when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union...
. North Otago's best win was in 1997 when they defeated South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
20-17 to bring the Hanan Shield
Hanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
back to North Otago for the first time in 30 years. Mid Canterbury
Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand.-History:The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed in 1904 as Ashburton Country when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union...
are the current holders of the Hanan Shield
Hanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
.
North Otago in Super Rugby
North Otago are a part of the Super 14Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
team the Highlanders. North Otago along with Otago
Otago Rugby Football Union
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
and Southland
Southland Rugby
The Southland Rugby Football Union is a provincial rugby union who govern the Southland Region founded in 1886. The headquarters of Southland Rugby are in Invercargill, New Zealand however the Southland Union also covers country teams such as Midlands of Winton and Excelsior Rugby Club of Gore.The...
make up the Highlanders
Highlanders (Super rugby franchise)
The Highlanders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The franchise represents the North Otago, Otago and Southland provincial Rugby unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that helped found the Otago, North...
Super 14
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
team that competes in the Super Rugby competition against other New Zealand teams, and also Australian and South African teams.
North Otago 2002 Season
Still getting over the loss of the 2001 Division 3 NPCNational Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
final against South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
, North Otago set out to play harder, faster, and more superb rugby in 2002, And that is exactly what they did. Starting their season off with a Hanan Shield
Hanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
match against Mid Canterbury
Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand.-History:The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed in 1904 as Ashburton Country when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union...
, winning the game 43-16. For the first match of the NPC
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
season they played West Coast
West Coast Rugby Football Union
The West Coast Rugby Football Union, formed in 1890, is the official governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the West Coast region of New Zealand and is affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The team is based in Greymouth and plays home matches at Rugby Park....
. North Otago hardly let the coasters have the ball and eased to a 60-6 victory. South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
had the home advantage for the next match but North Otago were still haunted by the memories of 2001 and it showed, North Otago sealing the game 39-9 and also taking the Lochore Cup off them. Back home with the shields and cups, North Otago showed Buller
Buller Rugby Football Union
The Buller Rugby Union is a rugby province based in the town of Westport, New Zealand. The Buller provincial boundary also includes other notable towns such as Reefton, Karamea, Granity, Charleston, Punakaiki and Murchison .-History:Buller was formed in 1894...
who was boss and a 38-15 win was created. A trip up to Waikanae to play Horowhenua-Kapiti
Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
-Representative Rugby:The Horowhenua-Kapiti team play from Levin Domain, Levin and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they were runner-ups in the 3rd division in 2005....
was good for the boys and even better was the 40-0 at the end of the 80 minutes. Back home for their next two games and sitting nicely at the top of the standings they had nothing to worry about. Wanganui
Wanganui Rugby Football Union
The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....
tried but failed to win, North Otago running away with the game 73-7. 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....
came and went with nothing, scoring five tries but still not good enough losing to North Otago 49-32. Masterton was the next venue for North Otago against Wairarapa-Bush
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union
The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....
But the locals were unable to cause an upset North Otago winning 27-14. A Quick trip to 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....
to play King Country
King Country Rugby Football Union
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...
and almost repeating their last games score winning 27-16. So North Otago were into the semi finals. And again having to play South Canterbury
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
in a final. But North Otago provided way to strong winning the match 58-10. So North Otago secured a home final and had to play Horowhenua-Kapiti
Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
-Representative Rugby:The Horowhenua-Kapiti team play from Levin Domain, Levin and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they were runner-ups in the 3rd division in 2005....
. With conditions not quite what players and fans had hoped for, North Otago started pulling.Horowhenua-Kapiti
Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union
-Representative Rugby:The Horowhenua-Kapiti team play from Levin Domain, Levin and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they were runner-ups in the 3rd division in 2005....
tried to get back in the game but North Otago were playing a higher grade of rugby and when the referee blew his whistle to end the match, North Otago had won the title they had been waiting more than four years to get, winning the match 43-19.
North Otago 2007 Season
Since winning the third division title in 2002 North Otago has punched well above its weight making the 2nd Division semi finals in 2003,04, and 2005 but losing all three. In 2006 they entered the Heartland ChampionshipHeartland Championship
The Heartland Championship New Zealand Division One competition, known for sponsorship reasons as the AA Rewards Heartland Championship, is a domestic rugby union competition in New Zealand. It was founded in 2006 as one of two successor competitions to the country's former domestic competition,...
but again losing in the semi-final. But 2007 was a new year and north otago were focused on making the final. North Otago's first game was against buller in Oamaru. Buller managed to get 20 points in but North Otago more than doubled their score taking it away 51-20. A trip to Gisbourne and another win north otago beating Poverty Bay 31-11.
North Otago went back home for a Hanan Shield
Hanan Shield
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946 after being presented by the Mayor of Timaru, A.E.S. Hanan. The Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid...
defence against South Cantbury, and continued in their winning streak beating SC 26-7. Another home game another win North Otago beating East Coast 38-5.
It was then off to play Wanganui. The Wanganui crowd cheered their team on but their cheering could not prevent North Otago's 39-16 win. King Country came down to play but they never got in the game and North Otago cruised out to a 52-5 lead. Wairarapa Bush tried hard and only just bet North Otago 15-7. One more pool match for North Otago to play and another home game. The crowd came to watch North Otago win but the win never came, Mid-Canterbury took the game and earnt the 25-22 win.
Heartland Championship
The Heartland Championship New Zealand Division One competition, known for sponsorship reasons as the AA Rewards Heartland Championship, is a domestic rugby union competition in New Zealand. It was founded in 2006 as one of two successor competitions to the country's former domestic competition,...
Meads Cup
Meads Cup
The Meads Cup is a rugby cup named after the All Black Colin Meads. It is a cup played for in New Zealand between provincial rugby teams. The Meads Cup is played for during the Heartland Championship...
Final 25-8
All Blacks
There have only been two 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 their club rugby in North Otago.
In 1965 and 1966 Ian (Spooky) Smith
Ian Smith (New Zealand Rugby Player)
Ian Smith was an international New Zealand rugby union player who had several seasons in All Blacks test sides during the 1960s. Smith was chosen for the Otago provincial side for the first time in 1961. During those years Smith played mainly as a centre...
, who played for the Old Boys Club was selected for tests against South Africa and Campbell Lamberton's Lions.
Kurow's Phil Gard
Phil Gard
Phil Gard was a rugby union player who played for North Otago, and also the All Blacks . Gard played 85 matches for North Otago throughout 12 consecutive seasons. His brother, Neville also played for North Otago in 1962.-Early career:...
was selected for the All Blacks
All 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....
in 1971 when he played the fourth and final test against the British Lions and was on the All Blacks
All 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....
1972 internal tour.
Other Notable Players
- Mike Mavor
- Barry Fox
- Pila FifitaPila FifitaPila Fifita is a rugby union player who has represented Tonga, including one cap during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He also played two seasons for the New Zealand Divisional 15. He is a strong winger with the determination to get to the line, and the ability to get there.-North Otago:Pila Fifita...
(1st person in any NPC Division to score 3 tries in a final),(Heartland squad),(Tongan National Side) - Fepikou Tatafu(Tongan RWC squad 1999)
- Simon Porter
- Scott Mayhew (Heartland Squad)
- Kilifi Fangupo (Heartland Squad)
- Ross Hay (Heartland Squad)
- Tom WoodTom Wood (rugby union)Tom Wood is an English rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.He plays as flanker but can also play at number eight....
(England National Side)
Championships
North Otago won the 3rd Division title in 2002 with a 43-19 win against Horowhenua-Kapiti, which took them into the 2nd Division for the 2003 season.And in 2007 North Otago won the Heartland Championship beating Wanganui 25-8, and also beat Wanganui in the 2010 final 39-18. All Finals were played at Centennial Park in Oamaru.
Heartland Championship placings
| Heartland Championship results | |||||||||||
| Year | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Points | Place | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 332 | 154 | +178 | 7 | 31 | 3rd | lost 19-25 Wairarapa Bush Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union.... (semifinal) |
| 2007 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 266 | 104 | +162 | 5 | 29 | 1st | beat Wairarapa Bush 30-13 (semifinal), beat Wanganui Wanganui Rugby Football Union The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888.... 25-8 |
| 2010 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 345 | 136 | +209 | 6 | 34 | 1st | beat Mid Canterbury 40-24 (semifinal), beat Wanganui Wanganui Rugby Football Union The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888.... 39-18 |
Sponsors
- Summit Wool Spinners Limited
- Speights
- McKeown Petroleum
- Plunket Electrical
- Meridian Energy
- Totara Hotels
- R Redpath Limited
- David Ovens Builder
- Whitestone Contracting Limited
- Samurai SportswearSamurai SportswearSamurai International Sportswear Limited is a privately owned English sports company specialising in the manufacturing of bespoke team wear sports apparel as well as the supply of equipment...
External links
- Official site
- Fansite
- See also North Otago in the 2008 Heartland ChampionshipNorth Otago in the 2008 Heartland ChampionshipThe North Otago Rugby Football Union were the third-place team in the 2008 Heartland Championship after winning the Meads Cup in 2007.North Otago's 2008 season livery is supplied by Samurai Sportswear -2008 Pool Games:...