Be the first to know — subscribe today
Local organisations, clubs, courses and more
Rugby
One of the most popular participation sports in New Zealand, rugby is passionately played and followed by thousands of fans. This page lists rugby resources at your library, and links to clubs, associations, tournaments and competitions — including the Rugby World Cup, Super Rugby and the Ranfurly Shield.
Rugby World Cup 2011
New Zealand hosts the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The last tournament was held in France in September and October 2007, when twenty nations competed for the William Webb Ellis Trophy. New Zealand last won the trophy in 1987.
The Black Ferns, New Zealand's women's rugby team, has won the Women's Rugby World Cup four times, most recently in 2010.
Christchurch events
North Hagley Park is the venue for the Christchurch fanzone and festival. Five pool matches and two quarter-finals were moved out of Christchurch following the February 22 earthquake.
Find a club
Our community information directory CINCH has plenty of listings for rugby clubs.
Search our catalogue
Magazines & periodicals
Rugby history
- Early rugby in Christchurch
- The origins of Lancaster Park
- Our collection of rugby images
Super Rugby
The 2011 Super Rugby competition uses an expanded format played under a home and away conference system. Find out more about the new competition on the New Zealand Rugby Union website.
The 2011 Super 15 was won by Australian team The Reds. The Crusaders, long-term supporters of the Reading Crusade, finished runner up.
TriNations
The TriNations is a three-round international rugby union series played between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa on a home and away basis. In 2012 Argetina will join the competition. Read more about the TriNations and international fixtures on the New Zealand Rugby Union website.
Rugby Sevens
Wellington hosts the annual New Zealand round of the IRB Sevens series.The event homepage lists information about the tournament as well as news and details of the competitions. The International Rugby Board Sevens website is the offical home of the game. Rugby Sevens is also played at the Commonwealth Games.
Ranfurly Shield — the Log o' Wood
The Ranfurly Shield, also known as the Log o' Wood is one of the sport's oldest interprovincial trophies, and was donated by the Earl of Ranfurly, New Zealand's Governor General from 1887 to 1904.
The trophy is decided on a challenge system — the winner of any challenge match takes home the trophy. The holder of the shield at the end of the season must accept at least seven challenges for the following season, and all home games during league play (not finals or knock-outs) are automatic challenges. Read more about Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield history.
Provincial competitions
Full details of the provincial competition structure, draws, results, and news can be found on the ITM Cup website. There is also a website for the Heartland Championship, contested by smaller rugby unions. There is also a women's provincial rugby competition.
Library resources
Online resources
- Early rugby in Christchurch
- Our collection of rugby images
Search our catalogue
Magazines and periodicals
Rugby websites
Our Internet Gateway lists an extensive range of local, national and international rugby websites.
