Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union

The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union within the Gisborne district, in the area surrounding Poverty Bay on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The men's representative team play from Rugby Park, Gisborne, and currently compete in the Heartland Championship.

Poverty Bay
Club information
Full namePoverty Bay Rugby Football Union
ColoursScarlet and White
Founded1890
WebsiteOfficial website
Current details
Ground(s)
CoachTom Cairns
CaptainTamanui Hill
CompetitionHeartland Championship

History

The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union was established in 1890 by four clubs in the Gisborne area - Gisborne, Turanganui, Poverty Bay and Warerenga-a-Hika, with the union's inaugural first-class match being held against Hawke's Bay the same year. Since then, the union has played against every other existent union in New Zealand as well as an array of overseas touring sides, including but not limited to Australia, England, South Africa and Japan, against whom Poverty Bay drew in 1974. In 1981, Rugby Park was the scene of clashes between pro-tour supporters and anti-tour protesters prior to a match against the touring South African side. Poverty Bay ultimately lost the game by 6 - 24.

Heartland Championship

Poverty Bay won the Third Division of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), in 1987 and 2005, and finished as runners-up in the same division in 1994, 1995 and 1999. Since 2006, Poverty Bay have competed in the Heartland Championship, a competition organised by the New Zealand Rugby Union for New Zealand's amateur unions. Since the introduction of the format in 2006, the team have had great success, winning the Lochore Cup on four occasions - 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

Heartland Championship placings

Poverty Bay's placings in the Heartland Championship are listed below:

Heartland Championship results[1][2][3][4]
YearPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsPlacePlayoffs
QualSemifinalFinal
2006 8503243194+494247thLochore CupWon 36–10 against BullerWon 46–34 against King Country
2007 8503193162+314247thLochore CupWon 65–3 against Thames ValleyWon 38–35 against South Canterbury
2008 8503196131+653237thLochore CupWon 43–30 against South CanterburyWon 26–5 against Horowhenua-Kapiti
2009 8602154181−272263rdMeads CupLost 13–48 to Wanganui—
2010 8602282164+1184283rdMeads CupLost 24–31 to Wanganui—
2011 8314184226+405198thLochore CupWon 32–30 against BullerWon 49–22 against South Canterbury
2012 8305212247−355178thLochore CupLost 22–42 to Buller—
2013 8107141240−992612thNo—
2014 8512231168+636282ndMeads CupLost 22–29 to Mid Canterbury—
2015 8107227333−10661011thNo—

Ranfurly Shield

Poverty Bay have never held the Ranfurly Shield, although they have challenged for the Shield on 16 occasions. In 1980, Poverty Bay came close to defeating Auckland, losing a hard-fought encounter 12 - 19.

Poverty Bay in Super Rugby

Poverty Bay along with Wellington, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti fall within the Hurricanes catchment. Hosea Gear is the most notable player from the Poverty Bay region to have played for the side.

All Blacks

There have been seven players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing for Poverty Bay. Most notable amongst these players are Ian Kirkpatrick and Richard "Tiny" White. Other players include John Collins, Brian Fitzpatrick, Lawrie Knight, Mike Parkinson and Hika Elliott There have also been players such as Rico Gear, Hosea Gear and Charlie Ngatai who became All Blacks having started their careers with Poverty Bay.

References
  1. "Standings (2006–present)". Heartland Championship. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. "Fixtures and Results (2006–present)". Heartland Championship. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  3. "Finalists found in Lochore and Meads Cups". Newshub. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. "2010 Lochore and Mead Cups finals wrap". Heartland Championship. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
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