NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Crusaders

The Crusaders (formerly the Canterbury Crusaders) are a New Zealand Rugby Union team based in Christchurch, New Zealand that competes in the Super 14 (formerly the Super 12). They are the current Super 14 champions and the most successful team in Super Rugby history. The franchise represents the Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman, and West Coast provincial rugby unions. Their main home ground is Jade Stadium. Canterbury Crusaders rugby team logo (fair use) This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. ... For other uses, see Christchurch (disambiguation). ... The New Zealand region of Canterbury mostly comprises the Canterbury Plains. ... Categories: Nelson, New Zealand | Territorial Authorities of New Zealand | New Zealand geography stubs ... The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island. ... Marlborough is one of the regions of New Zealand, located in the northeast of the South Island. ... A view of Nelson from the Centre of New Zealand Whakatu/Nelson stands on the southern corner of Tasman Bay in Te Tau Ihu O Te Waka O Maui (the northern end of the South Island), Aotearoa (New Zealand) and is the administrative centre for Nelson Province. ... Jade Stadium, formerly known as Lancaster Park is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch. ... Robert Maxwell Deans, better known as Robbie Deans (born 4 September 1959 in Cheviot New Zealand) is the current coach of the Crusaders rugby union team, and a former All Black. ... Richard Hugh Richie McCaw (born December 31, 1980 in Oamaru) is one of New Zealands top rugby players. ... The current Super 14 logo The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... The 2006 Super 14 season started on Friday February 10, 2006. ... 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Image File history File links Kit_shorts. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Look up crusade in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A scrum Rugby union (often referred to as rugby, union or football) is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby league. ... For other uses, see Christchurch (disambiguation). ... The current Super 14 logo The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... The Buller Rugby Football Union (BRFU) is a rugby province based in Westport, New Zealand. ... The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the official governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New Zealand. ... The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union (MCRFU) is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand. ... // History The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union (SCRFU) was formed in 1888 when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union. ... The Tasman Rugby Union will become New Zealands newest provincial union when the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup starts in July. ... // [edit] History The West Coast Rugby Football Union was formed in 1890. ... Jade Stadium, formerly known as Lancaster Park is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch. ...

Formed in 1996 to represent the upper South Island of New Zealand in the Super 12, the team struggled in its first year, finishing last. Their performance improved in 1997 and the team finished sixth (out of twelve teams). Between 1998 and 2000 the team won all three titles, with each final won away from home. Between 2001 and 2005 they finished runners-up twice, and won the competition twice, including in their 2002 unbeaten season. In 2006 the Crusaders hosted the Hurricanes in the inaugural Super 14 final, winning 19–12. The South Island The South Island is one of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the North Island. ... The Hurricanes (formerly known as the Wellington Hurricanes) are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Wellington and representing the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. ... The Final of the 2006 Super 14 season, a provincial rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere, took place on May 27, 2006 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. ...

History

Beginnings: 1996 and 1997

The Crusaders franchise was created as one of the five New Zealand teams in the Super 12. Originally named the Canterbury Crusaders, the Crusaders' franchise area encompassed the upper South Island of New Zealand (see Super 14 franchise areas), formed from the Buller, Canterbury, Marlborough, Mid-Canterbury, Nelson Bays, South Canterbury, and West Coast rugby unions.^[3] The original Crusaders team of 1996 was captained by All Blacks prop Richard Loe and coached by Vance Stewart. The Crusaders struggled in the inaugural season, finishing bottom of the table with only two wins. Their eight losses included a 49-18 loss to the Blues and a 52-16 loss to the Queensland Reds. The South Island The South Island is one of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the North Island. ... The Super 14 competition in rugby union, including teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, is based on a franchise system of teams representing substantial regions of the three participating countries. ... Marlborough Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played from 1888-2005. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Queensland Reds (for sponsorship reasons referred to as QR Queensland Reds) represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union. ...

The following season saw a change in captain and coach. Todd Blackadder succeeded Loe as captain, with Wayne Smith taking over the reins as coach. Under Blackadder's leadership the team finished sixth, with five wins. The improvement is illustrated by the Crusaders' 28-29 loss to the defending champions the Blues, contrasting their 49-18 loss the previous season (the Blues went on to win the 1997 title, the season was almost perfect, they had a sole draw to the Sharks). Todd Julian Blackadder (born September 20, 1971 in Rangiora) was a prominent and popular professional New Zealand rugby union player in the 1990s and later a successful professional rugby coach. ... Wayne Ross Smith (born 19 April 1957 in Putaruru, New Zealand) is a former rugby union footballer, and currently a rugby union coach. ...

Hat trick: 1998 to 2000

In 1998 the Crusaders won their first title. They won the right to host a semi-final by finishing second in the round-robin. They won their semi-final 36-32 against the Coastal Sharks (now the Sharks) at Lancaster Park (now named Jade Stadium). They faced the Blues in the final at Eden Park. The Blues were heavy favourites, however the Crusaders' stole a victory when two minutes from time when Andrew Mehrtens chipped the ball for James Kerr to run onto and score. The converted try gave the Crusaders a 20-13 win. The ten points scored by Andrew Mehrtens in the final contributed to his total of 206 points for the season, a record for the Super 12. A round-robin tournament or all-play-all tournament is a type of group tournament in which each participant plays every other participant an equal number of times. ... The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. ... Jade Stadium, formerly known as Lancaster Park is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch. ... For the suburb of London, England, see Eden Park, London Eden Park viewed from Mount Eden Eden Park is a sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand. ... Andrew Philip Mehrtens (born 28 April 1973 in Durban, South Africa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has been one of the top fly-halves (or first five-eighths) in the world since the advent of the sports professional era in the mid-1990s. ... This article refers to the use of the word Try in rugby football terminology. ... This article refers to the use of the word Try in rugby football terminology. ...

The following season was an equal success for the Crusaders. They struggled to make the play-offs, winning their last four round robin-matches to finish fourth. They defeated the favoured Queensland Reds (who had finished top in the round-robin) in their semi-final to book a final match against the Otago Highlanders (since renamed the Highlanders). The all South Island final in Dunedin was billed "the party at Tony Browns house" after Highlanders fly-half Tony Brown.^[5] The Crusaders again proved victorious away from home winning 24-19. The decisive try of the match was scored by Crusaders' winger Afato So'oalo when he chipped the ball, out sprinted All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson and collected his own kick to score. The Highlanders ( formerly known as Otago Highlanders), are a rugby union team from New Zealand. ... The South Island The South Island is one of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the North Island. ... Alternative meanings at Dunedin (disambiguation) Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, located in coastal Otago. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15. ... Tony Eion Brown (born January 17, 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... A rugby union team is made up of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered from 1 to 8; and seven backs, numbered from 9 to 15. ... Jeffrey William Wilson (born October 24, 1973) is a New Zealand sportsman who has represented his country in both rugby union and cricketâ€”a so-called Double All Black, an increasingly rare achivement in the professional era. ...

The All Blacks semi-final exit from the Rugby World Cup in 1999 saw All Blacks coach John Hart dumped, replaced by Wayne Smith. Robbie Deans replaced Smith as coach of the Crusaders. Deans' first year in charge saw the Crusaders win their third title in a row, an feat that has not been repeated. The Crusaders finished second in the round-robin, behind the ACT Brumbies. The Crusaders played the Highlanders at Jade Stadium in the semi-final. They were victorious 37-15. The final was played in Canberra, Australia against the Brumbies. The weather for the final was icy, the Crusaders points were scored through Andrew Mehrtens with five penalties, and Ron Cribb with a try. This enabled the Crusaders to edge out the Brumbies 20–19, despite the Brumbies winning the rucks and mauls 165-34. For the World Cup that is contested in rugby league, see Rugby League World Cup. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Robert Maxwell Deans, better known as Robbie Deans (born 4 September 1959 in Cheviot New Zealand) is the current coach of the Crusaders rugby union team, and a former All Black. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... For other meanings see Canberra (disambiguation). ... In rugby football, the penalty is the main disciplinary sanction available to the referee to penalise players who commit deliberate infringements. ... Ronald Te Huia Cribb (born 7 July 1976 in Wanganui, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union player. ... A scrum Rugby union (often referred to as rugby, union or football) is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby league. ...

Development of a legacy: 2001 to 2005

After the achievement of three consecutive Super 12 titles, all won away from home, the Crusaders crashed to tenth in 2001, their worst finish since 1996. The season was the last for captain Todd Blackadder, who left to play in Scotland.^[6] Image File history File links Scrum. ... Image File history File links Scrum. ...

In 2002, the Crusaders had an unbeaten season, winning all 11 of their round-robin games (this also included a 96-19 thrashing of the then second placed Waratahs in the final round robin match), and then their semi-final and the final. This was their first season under the captaincy of Reuben Thorne, who also captained the All Blacks throughout 2002 and 2003. Reuben David Thorne (born January 2, 1975 in Christchurch) is a New Zealand rugby union player, and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands...

In the 2003 and 2004 seasons the Crusders stumbled at the final hurdle, losing in the competition final both years. Each final was a repeat of a prior one, in 2003 the Crusaders faced the Blues at Eden Park and in 2004 they faced the Brumbies in Canberra. Both games resulted in losses, the only blemishes on the Crusaders' play-offs record.

Richie McCaw assumed the captaincy in 2005, leading his team to its fifth Super 12 championship that year. After the 2005 season the side saw the departure of Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall, both of whom had played for the team since its inception in 1996. Richard Hugh Richie McCaw (born December 31, 1980 in Oamaru) is one of New Zealands top rugby players. ... Andrew Philip Mehrtens (born 28 April 1973 in Durban, South Africa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has been one of the top fly-halves (or first five-eighths) in the world since the advent of the sports professional era in the mid-1990s. ... Date of Birth: 5 August 1973 Place of Birth: Gore, New Zealand Height: 1. ...

New era: 2006

In 2006, the Super 12 expanded to form the Super 14. The Western Force from Perth, Australia, and the Central Cheetahs from the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces, South Africa joined the competition. The Crusaders finished the round robin top of the table, they then succeeded in taking back-to-back titles, defeating the Hurricanes 19–12 in the final at a fog-shrouded Jade Stadium. The 2006 Super 14 season started on Friday February 10, 2006. ... The Final of the 2006 Super 14 season, a provincial rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere, took place on May 27, 2006 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. ... Western Force (referred to as Emirates Western Force for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super 14 competition. ... Perth is the capital of the Australian state of Western Australia. ... The Central Cheetahs is a South African Super 14 rugby union franchise set to begin play in 2006. ... Capital Bloemfontein Largest city Bloemfontein Area - Total Ranked 3rd 129,480 kmÂ² Premier Beatrice Marshoff (ANC) Population - 2001 - 1996 - Density Ranked 8th 2,706,776 2,633,504 21/kmÂ² (2001) Languages Sotho (62%) Afrikaans (14%) isiXhosa (9. ... Northern Cape is a province of South Africa, created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. ... The Hurricanes (formerly known as the Wellington Hurricanes) are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Wellington and representing the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. ... Evening fog obscures Londons Tower Bridge from passers by. ...

The 2007 Super 14 season will see seven of the Crusaders players miss the competition's first seven rounds as part of an All Black "conditioning programme".^[7] The conditioning programme is part of the All Black's 2007 Rugby World Cup preparations, 22 players have been selected for the programme. The Crusaders will have seven players in the programme; Chris Jack, Richie McCaw, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Dan Carter, Leon MacDonald, and Aaron Mauger^[7]. This is more players then any other New Zealand Super 14 franchise.^[8]^[9] The 2007 Rugby World Cup will be the sixth Rugby World Cup, for the quadrennial world championship. ...

Name and colours

The Crusaders' name was chosen to reflect the crusading nature of Canterbury rugby. A potential name was also the Plainsmen,^[10] however this wasn't chosen as Crusaders recalls the English heritage of the city of Christchurch, which was established by English emigrants in the 19th century and is often described as the most English city outside of England.^[11]^[12] The franchise adopted Canterbury's traditional sporting colours of red and black, as worn by the Canterbury provincial rugby team. The English are an ethnic group or nation primarily associated with England and the English language. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification - by Athelstan AD 927 Area - Total 130,395 kmÂ² (1st in UK) 50,346 sq mi Population - 2005 est. ...

Franchise area

The Crusaders' franchise area consists of the regions controlled by the Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman and West Coast rugby unions. Like all New Zealand Super 14 sides the Crusaders get to protect 24 players from within their franchise area each season. They then have to go to the draft (which consists of New Zealand based players who are not protected by one of the five Super 14 franchises) to fill their squad. Prior to 2006, when the domestic National Provincial Championship was reorganised, the only rugby union within the Crusaders' franchise area that was in division one (now called premier division) domestic rugby was Canterbury. Hence, the majority players who have played for the Crusaders have also played for Canterbury. Image File history File links CrusadersTerritory. ... Image File history File links CrusadersTerritory. ... The National Provincial Championship (which for sponsorship reasons, is referred to as Air New Zealand NPC or just simply NPC) is New Zealands principal domestic rugby union competition. ...

Grounds

The Crusader's main home ground is the 36,000-capacity Jade Stadium in Christchurch. Jade Stadium is planned to be redeveloped to bring its capacity to 43,000 in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.^[13] When playing a home game, as part of pre-match buildup Conquest of Paradise plays whilst several horsemen dressed as knights circle the field.^[10] Each year the Crusaders usually take a game to another part of the franchise area, usually when the New Zealand cricket team is playing at Jade Stadium.^[14] They have played games at Trafalgar Park in Nelson and Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru.^[14] The 2011 Rugby Union World Cup will be the seventh time this tournament has been held. ... 1492: Conquest of Paradise is a 1992 album by the Greek artist Vangelis. ... A view of Nelson from the Centre of New Zealand Whakatu/Nelson stands on the southern corner of Tasman Bay in Te Tau Ihu O Te Waka O Maui (the northern end of the South Island), Aotearoa (New Zealand) and is the administrative centre for Nelson Province. ... Timaru is a major port city in south Canterbury, New Zealand, located 160 kilometres south of Christchurch and about 200 kilometres north of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. ...

In early 2006, there were rumours that the Crusaders may play a game each year in Melbourne, Australia after a large crowd had turned up to watch the Crusaders play the Western Force in a 2006 pre-season game.^[15] Although five of the franchise's seven provincial unions^[16] supported having a regular season game in Melbourne when Jade Stadium was unavaliable, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) vetoed the proposal.^[17] Melbournes Yarra River is popular area for walking, jogging, cycling and relaxing on the banks with a picnic Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Super records and achievements

Super 12 placings

The Auckland Blues is a New Zealand rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand, and representing the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland unions. ... The Highlanders ( formerly known as Otago Highlanders), are a rugby union team from New Zealand. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... The Auckland Blues is a New Zealand rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand, and representing the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland unions. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... The New South Wales Waratahs (referred to as HSBC Waratahs for sponsorship reasons, the Waratahs or simply the Tahs) are an Australian rugby union team, representing most of New South Wales in the Super 14 (formerly Super 12) competitionâ€”though not the Riverina or other southern parts of the state...

Super 14 placings

The Hurricanes are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Wellington and representing the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (952x1036, 290 KB) My own work,taken at Jade Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (952x1036, 290 KB) My own work,taken at Jade Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. ...

Competition records

The Crusaders team and members of its squad hold various competition records in both the Super 12 and Super 14. The Crusaders hold the record for most points in a game with their 96-19 victory over the Waratah's in the 12th round of the 2002 season. This game also holds the record for the largest winning margin, the most tries scored (14) and the most conversions in a match (13).^[19] The team also has the record for most points scored in a season, with 469 scored in 2002.^[18]

Several individuals have achieved competition records whilst playing for the team, most notable are records for individual points scored in a season; Andrew Mehrtens holding the Super 12 record of 206 points, achieved in 1998^[20]; Daniel Carter holds the Super 14 record with 221 points.^[21] Andrew Mehrtens also holds the record for Super points overall with 990 accumulated during his Crusaders career.^[22] Rico Gear holds the joint record for tries in a Super 12 or Super 14 season with 15 tries in 2005.^[20]

Players and coaches of note

2007 squad

Leon Raymond MacDonald (born 21 December 1977 in Blenheim) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ...

Notable players

Four Crusaders have played more then 100 games for the Crusaders, Justin Marshall, Reuben Thorne, Caleb Ralph, and Greg Sommerville. Half-back Justin Marshall was the first player to achieve the feat, having played for the Crusaders between 1996 and 2005.^[25] Both Thorne and Ralph achieved the 100 game mark at the same time, however Ralph had played nine of his matches for other franchises (three for the Chiefs and six for the Blues).^[26] Ralph managed the 100 Crusaders' games feat later that season, remarkably they were played consecutively.^[27] Greg Somerville became the latest player to contribute 100 games for the franchise, achieved in the 2006 semi-final against the Bulls.^[28] Date of Birth: 5 August 1973 Place of Birth: Gore, New Zealand Height: 1. ...

Coaches

The Crusaders were coached in their first season by Vance Stewart.^[29] He was replaced by Wayne Smith in 1997. Smith continued as coach until he was appointed All Blacks coach after the 1999 season. Robbie Deans took over the reins for the 2000 season and has been in charge ever since, and with four titles is the most successful coach in the Super 14.

Notes and references

graphy"> September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Tasman Rugby Union will become New Zealands newest provincial union when the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup starts in July. ... The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the official governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New Zealand. ... August 20 is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Bibliography

External links

Categories: Rugby union in New Zealand | New Zealand rugby union teams | Super 12 champions | Super 14 champions | Super 14 teams The All Blacks playing the Wallabies. ... The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands... The Junior All Blacks is a New Zealand rugby team. ... The New Zealand national rugby union sevens team competes in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games. ... First international Ireland 4 - 13 New Zealand MÄori (as the New Zealand Natives) (1888-12-01) Largest win United States 6 - 74 New Zealand MÄori (2006-06-07) Worst defeat New Zealand MÄori 6 - 31 Australia (1936-09-23) World Cup Appearances 0 (ineligible) New Zealand M... The Black Ferns is New Zealands national womens rugby team. ... For the World Cup that is contested in rugby league, see Rugby League World Cup. ... The Tri Nations Series is an annual international Rugby Union series held between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... The current Super 14 logo The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... The logo of the 2006 IRB Pacific 5 Nations. ... The Bledisloe Cup Rugby Unions Bledisloe Cup is contested between Australias Wallabies and New Zealands All Blacks. ... The Churchill Cup is an annual rugby union tournament contested by representative mens and womens teams from Canada, England, and the United States, with a fourth invited team. ... The Rugby World Cup Sevens is the worlds premier international contest in the Sevens version of rugby union, first held in Scotland in 1993 and held every four years. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Chiefs (formerly known as Waikato Chiefs), are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand, and representing the Counties Manukau, Waikato, Thames Valley, King Country and Bay of Plenty unions; up until 1999 North Harbour which was swapped with the Blues for Counties Manukau. ... The Highlanders (formerly known as Otago Highlanders), are a rugby union team from New Zealand. ... The Hurricanes (formerly known as the Wellington Hurricanes) are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Wellington and representing the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. ... The Air New Zealand Cup (also referred to by its previous name of the National Provincial Championship, its abbreviation of NPC, or for sponsorship reasons as the Air New Zealand NPC) is New Zealands professional domestic rugby union competition. ... The Heartland Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the AA Rewards Heartland Championship,[1] is an amateur domestic rugby union competition in New Zealand. ... The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log of Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealands domestic rugby union competition. ... The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophy in New Zealands domestic rugby union competition. ... The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland isthmus territorial authority in the North Island in New Zealand. ... The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the region of Bay of Plenty on the North Island of New Zealand. ... The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the official governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New Zealand. ... The Counties-Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU) is a Rugby Football Union, mainly based in the Franklin district of New Zealand. ... The Hawkes Bay Rugby Union (HBRU) is a governing body of rugby union in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand. ... Manawatu Rugby Union (MRU) is the governing body of Rugby in the Manawatu rugby province. ... The North Harbour Rugby Union was formed in 1985 and during this time has developed a reputation for playing quality rugby football. ... The Northland Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Northland region of New Zealand. ... ... The Southland Rugby club plays as a province in the Air New Zealand Cup, also known as the Premier Division of the National Provincial Championship. ... Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) is the governing body of Rugby in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. ... The Tasman Rugby Union will become New Zealands newest provincial union when the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup starts in July. ... The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the region of Waikato on the North Island of New Zealand. ... The Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU) is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. ... The Buller Rugby Football Union (BRFU) is a rugby province based in Westport, New Zealand. ... The East Coast Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. ... The Horowhenua-Kapiti Rugby Football Union was formed in 1893. ... The King Country Rugby Football Union was formed in 1922. ... The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union (MCRFU) is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand. ... The North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) is a rugby province based in the south central South Island, based around Oamaru, New Zealand. ... The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union was formed in 1890. ... // History The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union (SCRFU) was formed in 1888 when it broke away from the Canterbury Rugby Football Union. ... The Thames Valley Rugby Football Union was formed in 1921 when it broke away from the Auckland 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. ... The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888. ... // [edit] History The West Coast Rugby Football Union was formed in 1890. ... The current Super 14 logo The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... Super 12 The 1996 season of the rugby union competition, the Super 12, was the inaugural season and was won by the Auckland Blues. ... The 1997 season of the international rugby union competition, the Super 12, was the second of its kind, with the 1996 season being the first that the tournament had run. ... The 1998 Super 12 season was won by New Zealand side, the Canterbury Crusaders after defeating the Auckland Blues in the final. ... The 1999 Super 12 season was won by the Crusaders who defeated the Highlanders in the final. ... The 2000 Super 12 season was won by the Crusaders after defeating the Brumbies 20-19 in the final. ... The 2001 season of the international rugby union competition, the Super 12 was contested from February through to May, and was won by the ACT Brumbies, who beat the Coastal Sharks in the final. ... The 2002 Super 12 season was won by the Crusaders, who defeated the Brumbies in the final. ... The 2003 Super 12 season was won by the Blues, who defeated the Crusaders in the final. ... The 2004 Super 12 season was won by the Brumbies, who defeated the Crusaders in the final. ... The 2005 season of the rugby union competition, the Super 12 began on February 25, 2005 and ended on May 28 with the final between the Crusaders and the Waratahs which was won by the Crusaders 35â€“25 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. ... The 2006 Super 14 season started on Friday February 10, 2006. ... The 2007 Super 14 season will start in February 2007. ... In the history of the Super 12 (1996 - 2005), a SANZAR provincial rugby union competition, there were only three teams which lifted the Super 12 trophy. ... The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand, and representing the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland unions. ... The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand, and representing the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland unions. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand, and representing the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland unions. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... This article is about winners of the expanded Super 14 competition. ... SANZAR is an abbrevation of the South African Rugby Football Union, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and the Australian Rugby Union. ... The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is the governing body of rugby union in Australia. ... The New Zealand Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... SANZAR is an abbrevation of the South African Rugby Football Union, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and the Australian Rugby Union. ... The Tri Nations Series is an annual international Rugby Union series held between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... The current Super 14 logo The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. ... The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand, and representing the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland unions. ... The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberras hinterland. ... The Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Bulls, are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super 14 competition. ... The Central Cheetahs is a South African Super 14 rugby union franchise set to begin play in 2006. ... The Chiefs (formerly known as Waikato Chiefs), are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand, and representing the Counties Manukau, Waikato, Thames Valley, King Country and Bay of Plenty unions; up until 1999 North Harbour which was swapped with the Blues for Counties Manukau. ... Western Force (referred to as Emirates Western Force for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super 14 competition. ... The Highlanders (formerly known as Otago Highlanders), are a rugby union team from New Zealand. ... The Hurricanes (formerly known as the Wellington Hurricanes) are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Wellington and representing the East Coast, Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa-Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wellington unions. ... The Lions, known as the Cats through the 2006 season, are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super 14 competition. ... The Southern Spears, a South African Super 14 rugby union franchise, will begin play in that competition in 2007. ... The Queensland Reds (for sponsorship reasons referred to as QR Queensland Reds) represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union. ... The Sharks are a South African Rugby Union team competing in the Super 14 competition (Super 12 from 1996-2005. ... The Stormers (for sponsorship reasons referred to as Vodacom Stormers) are a South African Rugby Union team competing in the Super 14 competition (formerly Super 12). ... The New South Wales Waratahs (referred to as HSBC Waratahs for sponsorship reasons, the Waratahs or simply the Tahs) are an Australian rugby union team, representing most of New South Wales in the Super 14 (formerly Super 12) competitionâ€”though not the Riverina or other southern parts of the state... In the history of the Super 12 (1996 - 2005), a SANZAR provincial rugby union competition, there were only three teams which lifted the Super 12 trophy. ... This article is about winners of the expanded Super 14 competition. ... The Tri Nations is contested annually between the Wallabies (Australia), the All Blacks (New Zealand) and the Springboks (South Africa). ...

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