Waikato Rugby Union

Waikato Rugby Union

Nickname(s)	Mooloo Men
Founded	1921
Region	Chiefs
Ground(s)	Waikato Stadium (Capacity: 25,800)
Chairman	Gary Dawson
Coach(es)	Chris Gibbes
League(s)	Air New Zealand Cup
2008	Quarter-finalist
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.mooloo.co.nz

The Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) is the official governing body of rugby union in the region of Waikato in the North Island of New Zealand. Their senior representative team compete in the Air New Zealand Cup, and won the inaugural competition in 2006.

Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The senior representative team play their home fixtures at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. The union's colours are red, yellow and black.

History

Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The inaugural representative match played ended in a 15-all draw against Taranaki. Waikato had its first win by their third fixture when they defeated Manuwatu 6-0. The first home match was played against New South Wales from Australia at the Claudelands Showground, losing 11 to 28. This was a message to the player's in 1921 before their first home match. Player's duties towards referees. Don’ts to be remembered and told to Waikato player's by Ernest E Booth, as a NZ representative of 1905-06-07 and New South Wales player 1908-09-10.

• Don’t threaten an opponent
• Don’t swear (only inaudibly in scrums if really needed). Just count 8-9-10
• Don’t wait for whistle. St Peter has got no whistle
• Don’t play offside (in front of ball means you're playing for the opponents)
• Don’t stay on the ground - it’s easier to die standing
• Don’t play the man on the ball is the song
• Don’t be late and blame your missus
• Don’t push an opponent - shoulder him
• Don’t hit back - take his number and wait
• Don’t swallow your gum
• Don’t upset the ref - he’s really the guest of both teams.

In 1925 the Rugby Park was opened, and in 1928 Waikato adopted their now famous colours of red, yellow and black.

In 1932 Waikato challenged Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield. The challenge was unsuccessful. Waikato made another unsuccessful challenge for the shield in 1949 against Otago. In 1951 Waikato successfully challenged for the Ranfurly Shield, defeating North Auckland 6 points to 3. They defeated Auckland the following season, also 6-3 to win back the shield. In 1966 Waikato defeated Auckland again to regain the Ranfurly Shield. In 1980 Waikato won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1966, defeating Auckland 7 points to 3.

In 1954 Waikato had 11 wins and one draw from 14 matches and were tabbed the champions. The draw was in a remarkable Ranfurly shield challenge where they drew 14 all. The country had never seen anything like this before, Christchurch was invaded by thousands of Mooloo supporters who were lead by the president at the time, Horace ‘Cal’ Calcott. The Mooloo express captured the imagination of fans nationwide. These images were vividly remembered by many who attended.

Waikato became the first Union to win the National Provincial Championship (NPC) when the format included semi-final and finals structure for the 1992 season. Waikato defeated Otago 40 to 5 in the final. 1993 was also very successful for Waikato; winning back the Ranfurly Shield with a 17 to 6 victory over Auckland, and making it to the sem-finals of the NPC, only to be defeated by Otago.

Waikato defeated Taranaki 40 to 19 for a successful challenge for the Ranfurly Shield in 1996, and defeated Auckland 31 to 29 for the shield in 1997. That season they also made it to the semi-finals of the NPC, but were defeated by Counties Manukau 40 to 43. In 1998 they made it to the final of the NPC, in what was a rematch of the 1992 final, against Otago. Waikato lost the match 20 to 49. They made it to the semi-finals the next season, but were defeated by Wellington 17 to 38.

In 2002 Waikato made it to their first NPC final since the 1998 loss to Otago. Though they were defeated by Auckland, 28 to 40. They made it as far as the semi-finals in both the 2003 and the 2004 seasons, and were defeated by Wellington 29-30 and 16-28 respectively. Under the new Air New Zealand Cup format, Waikato became the first side to win the competition, defeating Wellington 37-31 in the final.

In 2007, Waikato defeated North Harbour 52-7 to regain the Ranfurly Shield. The score and winning margin is a Ranfurly Shield record for a team challenging for the Log Of Wood. However, the following week, Canterbury took the Log from the Mooloo Men 33-20.In 2008 the mooloo men had a horrible run in the first four rounds of the 2008 air New Zealand cup, losing to Northland, losing to Tasman, drawing with Manawatu, and losing to Harbour.They got their first win over Auckland 34-13.They will verse Hawkes Bay in the quarter finals.

Waikato Chiefs 1995-1998

When NZRU were initially deciding the team compositions for the Super 12 in 1995 it was decided that to have the Blues franchise encompass the North Harbour, Counties-Manukau, Northland and Auckland provincial rugby unions would be unfair. This was due to the preponderance of All Blacks (players representing New Zealand) who came from North Harbour, Counties-Manukau and Auckland at the time. Hence if the Blues were to consist of these unions, they would field an All Blacks team in all but name.

This led to North Harbour and Northland being represented by the nearest other team, the Chiefs (at the time named the Waikato Chiefs).

International results

In 1930 Waikato provided 14 of the 15 players of the combination team that played Great Britain at Rugby Park. The visitors won the match 40 to 16 in front of 13,000 people. In 1937 South Africa toured New Zealand. Five Waikato players were involved in the combined side which lost 6-3 in front of a record crowd of more than 17,000. Waikato was the first provincial Union to beat a touring South African team post World War II, defeating the Springboks 14 points to 10 in 1956. Waikato defeating another large rugby nation in 1961, with a 22 - 3 victory over France in 1961.

During the 1970s Waikato defeated numerous international sides; including a two point victory, 26 to 24, over Australia, a 13 to 7 win over Fiji and defeating France for the second time, 18 to 15. Also during the 1980s, Waikato achieved a number of notable international victories, defeating Wales, Canada and Argentina in the latter years of the decade. Waikato also completed a number of international victories during the 1990s, with wins over Canada, Australia, Western Samoa, the British Isles, Scotland and Italy. Waikato have also attained the scalp of the British Lions in 1990.

Strip

The distinctive red, yellow and black jersey was adopted in 1928. It was the combination of the Hamilton colours of gold and black, with Old Boys red & black. Prior to 1928, black and white and blue and black colours had been used. Waikato have retained the traditional layout of their jersey to this day something which is some what rare for a professional team in modern sport. The main sponsors are Waikato Draught, Vodafone, Sky City Hamilton and The Breeze FM. Apparel is supplied by the Union brand of LWR Industries.

Supporters

The Waikato supporters are known for their use of cowbells at home matches. This tradition has been carried over to home matches of the Chiefs during Super 14 home games. The Waikato mascot is Mooloo, who is a cow. Its supporters are known as Mooloomen. By extension, the term now applies to anyone from the Waikato area.

The mooloo men also have one very special supporter who attends every home game, this man is widely known as Possum. He is situated up the top of a cherry picker which looks over the entire stadium and can be seen from any angle around the ground.Every few seconds he revs his chainsaw in order to show his passion and love for the Waikato rugby team. This is also a ploy in which to distract opposition players.

One of the reasons that possum is such a valued waikato and chiefs supporter is that after ever game he throws treats down to all of the kids who circle his cherry picker at the conclusion of each game.

Stadium

Waikato Stadium during a British and Irish Lions in 2005.

Waikato play their home games at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, built on the site of the club's former ground, Rugby Park. Construction began on the stadium in 2000; it was completed in 2001, and opened with a game between the Chiefs and Crusaders in the then Super 12. The Chiefs also pay the majority of their home games at the stadium.

Waikato played out of Rugby Park from 1925 to 2000. For the 1921 to 1924 seasons, Waikato played at the Claudelands Showgrounds and Steel Park. Waikato's first ever home match was played at the Claudelands Showgrounds against New South Wales, which Waikato lost 11 to 28. The Rugby Park grandstand roof collapsed in 1934, but no one was injured.

Waikato Stadium hosted the first ever Air New Zealand Cup final, where Waikato defeated Wellington to claim the title.

Waikato in Super rugby

Waikato-based Super 14 players play with the Chiefs franchise which is located in Hamilton. They also form the core of the Chiefs squad. The Chiefs team were previously known as the Waikato Chiefs, but are now known as simply the Chiefs. They are also based in Hamilton, and as well as Waikato, they represent Counties Manukau, Thames Valley, King Country and Bay of Plenty. Thus far their most successful seasons were in 2004 when they finished in fourth place and qualified for the semi-finals, which they eventually lost to the Brumbies and in 2009 they qualified for the finals beating Hurricaines in the semi-finals, and eventually losing to the Bulls in the finals that ended their dream season.

File:Harry playing rugby.jpeg

Waiakto under 18s 2007

Age Group Rugby

Age group rugby in the Waikato region ranges from a variety of ages starting with under 14s, these representative teams range from under 15s, 16s 18s, 20s, 23s and the Senior development. There is a lot of focus on representative rugby where it is the cornerstone to developing players from age group level into higher representative honours. These teams will compete against other regional representative teams. These include

• Northland
• North Harbour
• Auckland
• Counties Manukau
• Bay of Plenty
• Wellington
• Canterbury
• Otago.

Honours

• National Provincial Championship/Air New Zealand Cup:
  • Champions: 1992, 2006
  • Runners-up: 1998, 2002

• Ranfurly Shield:
  • 1951, 1952, 1966, 1980, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2007

• Ballymore Tens
  • 1997

• National 7's
  • 1995-98

Notable Players

All Blacks

The following is a list of Waikato players who have represented New Zealand

J M Tuck 1929 F Leison 1934 J G Wynard 1935, 36, 38 E H Catley 1946-47, 49 K D Arnold 1947 W J M Conrad 1949 A R Reid 1951-52, 56-57 H C McLaren 1952 I J Clarke 1953-63 R C Hemi 1953-57, 59-60 D B Clarke 1956-64 E A R Pickering 1957-60 W J Whineray 1958 W M Birtwhistle 1967 G R Skudder 1969, 72-73 G Kane 1974 M B Taylor 1976, 79-80 K M Greene 1976-77 R G Meyers 1977-78 G R Hines 1980 H H Rickett 1981 P T Koteka 1981-82 A M Stone 1981, 83-85 B L Morrisey 1981 J W Boe 1981 B W Smith 1983-84 R W Loe 1986-92 W D Gatland 1988-91 J A Goldsmith 1988 G H Purvis 1989-93

S B Gordon 1989-91, 93 W R Gordon 1990-91 M J A Cooper 1992-94, 96 J E P Mitchell 1993 M S B Cooksley 1994-95, 97, 01 S B McLeod 1996-98 A R Hopa 1997 T J MIller 1997 R K WIllis 1998-99, 02 R J Duggan 1999 B T Reihana 1999-2000 M R Holah 2001-06 M Ranby 2001 R Randle 2001 D W Hill 2001, 2006 R M King 2002 K R Lowen 2002 K J Robinson 2002-04, 07 B T Kelleher 2004-07 J B Gibbes 2004-05 S P Bates 2004 S R Anesi 2005 S T Lauaki 2005, 07-08 S Sivivatu 2005-09 J M Muliaina 2006-09 B Leonard 2007, 2009 S R Donald 2008-09 R Kahui 2008 K O'Neill 2008 L Messam 2008 A de Malmanche 2009 L Masaga 2009

Waikato Centurions

These players have played 100 or more games for Waikato

• D Foster - 148
• G H Purvis - 147
• S B Gordon - 141
• W D Gatland - 140
• J W Boe - 136
• D I Monkley - 135
• J E P Mitchell - 134
• P J Bennett - 133
• G W J Wright - 133
• A H Strawbridge - 131
• I J Clarke - 126
• E H Catley - 124
• M J A Cooper - 124
• B A C Cowley - 112
• R J L Duggan - 111
• N M Melsom - 110
• C A J Ellis - 110
• R M Jerram - 106
• E A R Pickering - 104
• D Muir - 101
• D Phillips - 100

Women's rugby

Waikato has a proud history in Women's rugby, providing many players for the Black Ferns over the years. The player's that follow are the legends of women's rugby. Women's rugby has developed a lot over the years and continues to grow within the Waikato franchise.

• K Sio - (1994-95)
• L Wall - (1994)
• H Reeder - (1994)
• L Simpson-Brown - (1995-96)
• V Cootes - (1995-00, 2002)
• F Palmer - (1997)
• R Sheck - (1999-00, 2002-04)
• A Lil'l - (2000)
• R Kay - (2000)
• E Jensen - (2002-04)
• L Engebretsen -(2004)

Squad

Squad for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup:

Sosene Anesi Ole Avei Malcolm Barnes David Bason Matt Blain Callum Bruce Sam Christie Stephen Donald Aled de Malmanche Kent Fife Hikairo Forbes Romana Graham Roimata Hansell-Pune Tom Harding Josh Hohneck Richard Kahui James Kamana Vern Kamo Josh Sutherland Kalem Chan-Boon Sione Lauaki

Malili Muliaina Brendon Leonard Faifili Levave Toby Lynn Liam Messam Tim Mikkelson Mils Muliaina Kevin O'Neil Trent Renata Jordan Smiler Toby Smith Sitiveni Sivivatu Henry Speight Dwayne Sweeney Savenaca Tokula Watene Waenga Craig West Nathan White Jackson Willison.

External links

• Official site
• Virtual Rugby at Jimungo