The Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU) is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Also the cities of Porirua, Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt come under WRFU jurisdiction. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... 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 2006 Air New Zealand Cup is a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. ... Image File history File links Kit_left_arm_yellowborder. ... Image File history File links soccer jersey with yellow shoulders File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Kit_right_arm_yellowborder. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 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... A rugby union scrum. ... For other uses, see Wellington (disambiguation). ... Porirua is a city in New Zealand, 20 km north of Wellington. ... Upper Hutt is New Zealands smallest city by population, the second largest by land area and is located in the Wellington region of New Zealand. ... Lower Hutt is a city in the lower North Island of the country of New Zealand. ...

International Super Rugby

Players from Wellington who are eligible to play in the Super 14 generally play for the Hurricanes, and traditionally contribute the core of the Hurricanes squad. This position is largely due to the Wellington basing of the Hurricanes. Further, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, two Hurricane provinces and prolific talent producers, have been mired in the second division in recent years, allowing Wellington to lure the better players of these provinces with ease (Christian Cullen from Manawatu for example). The Super 14 is the largest rugby union club championship in the southern hemisphere, consisting of provincial teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. ... 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. ... Manawatu Rugby Union (MRU) is the governing body of Rugby in the Manawatu rugby province. ... The Hawkes Bay Rugby Union (HBRU) is a governing body of rugby union in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand. ... Christian Mathias Cullen (born February 12, 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a New Zealand rugby player. ...

Since Super Rugby's inaugural season in 1996 the Wellington Hurricanes have had mixed results. They have reached the semi-finals three times losing to the ACT Brumbies in 1997 & the Canterbury Crusaders in both 2003 & 2005. They did one better in 2006 marking the franchises first ever grand final appearance but lost the game 19 - 12 to none other than the Crusaders. 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 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). ...

National Representative Rugby

The senior Wellington representative team, the Wellington Lions play in the Air New Zealand Cup, replacing the National Provincial Championship in 2006, which the Lions have won four times since it's inception in 1976. The titles came in 1978, 1981, 1986 and most recently in 2000. Their colours are black and yellow as shown on the Lions jersey. The Lions play their home games at the Westpac Stadium, previously playing at Athletic Park until 1999. Even with an All-Star backline in the late 90's including Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and Alama Ieremia what was a superb team on paper never lived up to expectations and Wellington became known for it's inconsitency. More recently it should be noted however that Wellington have made it right up to the grand final in three out of the last four years. Losing to Auckland in 2003, to Canterbury in 2004 and most recently to Waikato in 2006 in the new Air New Zealand competition. 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 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. ... Black cat, thought by some to cause bad luck (see superstition) Black is the shade of objects that do not reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum. ... A yellow Tulip. ... External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Christian Mathias Cullen (born February 12, 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a New Zealand rugby player. ... Ionatana Falefasa Tana Umaga, ONZM, (IPA: , born May 27, 1973) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. ... Jonah Tali Lomu (born May 12, 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has played 73 times (63 caps) as an All Black after debuting in 1994. ... Alama Ieremia (born 27 October 1970 in Apia, Samoa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup is a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. ...

Aussie McLean was named on 16 November 2006 to replace John Plumtree as Wellington Lions coach for the 2007 season.

Ranfurly Shield

The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the 'Log o' Wood', is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand domestic rugby. 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. The holding union must defend the Shield in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder of the Shield. The Ranfurly Shield The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealands domestic rugby union competition. ...

Wellington won the first ever shield challenge winning it from Auckland in 1904 and defended it for 4 matches before losing it it back to Auckland in 1905. It wouldn't be until 1914 when Wellington would get the shield back by winning it off Taranaki. This marked the longest time Wellington have held the shield successfully defending it for 15 matches until losing it again to Southland in 1920. They beat Southland a year later to regain the shield before promptly losing to Hawkes Bay after only 2 matches. Wellington held the shield for only one match in 1930 and after losing it to Canterbury they would not regain the shield until 1953. Up until the 1980's Wellington had short stints desfending the shield but after losing it to Canterbury in 1981 they have not seen the Ranfurly Shield since.

Local Club Rugby

Club rugby is a large part of Wellington culture. Many All Blacks make appearances for there old clubs when available and much like the soccer fan base in England, Wellingtonians will have a club rugby side that they support. Wellington club rugby is a true expression of 'grass roots' rugby at it's best. 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 The All Blacks are New Zealands national rugby...

The Petone Rugby Football Club was founded in 1885 and have been the Wellington Premier Champions 38 times between 1895 and 2005. ...

Jersey

Main sponsor is Vodafone. Apparel is supplied by Canterbury of New Zealand. Other sponsors include: Vodafone Group plc is a mobile network operator headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, England. ... Canterbury of New Zealand is a New Zealand-based sports apparel company that focuses on rugby. ...

• Dunlop
• Ricoh
• Tui

Squad

Wellington Lions squad for the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup: The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup is a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. ...

• Ross Kennedy (on loan to Counties Manukau)
• Miah Nikora (previously on loan to Taranaki, recalled during Round 2)
• Tane Tu'ipulotu (on loan to Manawatu)

Jerry Collins (born 4 November 1980 in Apia, Samoa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and currently plays for the national team, the All Blacks. ... Lome Faatau (born 23 October 1975 in Wellington) is a rugby union player. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Cory Jane (born 8 February 1983 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup. ... Date of Birth: 15 May 1979 Place of Birth: Savaii, Samoa Height: 1. ... Maa Allan Nonu (IPA: , born 21 May 1982 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand. ... John Schwalger (born 28 September 1983 in Apia, Western Samoa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and plays at prop. ... Conrad Gerard Smith (born 10 December 1981 in Hawera, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Date of Birth: 15 July 1982 Place of Birth: Lower Hutt, New Zealand Height: 1. ... Ionatana Falefasa Tana Umaga, ONZM, (IPA: , born May 27, 1973) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. ... Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu (born 7 September 1983) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... Miah Nikora (born 28 April 1985 in Gisborne, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays in the position of first five-eighths (fly-half). ...

Notable players

• Jerry Collins
• Christian Cullen
• Lome Fa'atau
• Ross Filipo
• Roy Kinikinilau
• Jonah Lomu
• Ma'a Nonu
• Kristian Ormsby
• Shannon Paku
• Semo Sititi
• Elvis Seveali'i
• Sireli Bobo
• Conrad Smith
• Rodney So'oialo
• Neemia Tialata
• Tana Umaga
• Piri Weepu
• David Holwell

Jerry Collins (born 4 November 1980 in Apia, Samoa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and currently plays for the national team, the All Blacks. ... Christian Mathias Cullen (born February 12, 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a New Zealand rugby player. ... Lome Faatau (born 23 October 1975 in Wellington) is a rugby union player. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Roy Kinikinilau (born 14 February 1980 in Tonga) is a rugby union player who plays for Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Chiefs in the Super 14. ... Jonah Tali Lomu (born May 12, 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has played 73 times (63 caps) as an All Black after debuting in 1994. ... Maa Allan Nonu (IPA: , born 21 May 1982 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand. ... Kristian Ormsby (born 12 April , 1980 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand Rugby Union footballer. ... Shannon Paku (born 23 September 1980 in Masterton, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union player, currently playing for the Hurricanes, who play in the Super 14 competition, and for the Vodafone Wellington Lions who play in the Air New Zealand Cup. ... Semo Sititi (born 06 March 1974 in Moto’otua, Samoa) is a Samoan rugby union footballer. ... Elvis Sevealii (born 20 June 1978 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a Samoan rugby union footballer. ... Sireli Bobo (born 28 January 1976) is a Fijian rugby union footballer, currently playing for Biarritz in the Top 14 club competition in France. ... Conrad Gerard Smith (born 10 December 1981 in Hawera, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Date of Birth: 15 July 1982 Place of Birth: Lower Hutt, New Zealand Height: 1. ... Ionatana Falefasa Tana Umaga, ONZM, (IPA: , born May 27, 1973) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. ... Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu (born 7 September 1983) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... David Holwell born 7 January 1975 in Whangarei, New Zealand is a rugby union player who plays for Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Hurricanes in the Super 14. ...

External links

• Official site
• Wellington Lions