Auckland Rugby Football Union

Auckland Rugby Football Union
Founded	1883
Ground	Eden Park
Capacity	50,000
Chairman	Ken Baguley
CEO	Andy Dalton
Coach	Pat Lam
League	Air New Zealand Cup
2006	Semi-finalists

The Auckland Rugby Football Union (ARFU) is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland isthmus territorial authority, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's senior representative team plays its home matches at Eden Park.

History

The ARFU was formed in 1883 and is one of New Zealand's most celebrated provincial sides. Its teams are comprised of players from twenty clubs under the union, which play in the Auckland Club Rugby Championship. Auckland's senior (1st Division) team is the most successful side in the history of New Zealand provincial rugby, having won 15 of 25 national titles. Auckland have also produced a greater number of All Blacks than any other province.

Ranfurly Shield

Auckland have won 152 out of 193 matches defending the Ranfurly Shield, the most coveted prize in New Zealand provincial rugby. Between 14 September 1985 and 18 September 1993, Auckland defended the Ranfurly Shield for 61 consecutive challenges. In the period since the semifinal/final format was introduced to the NPC (predecessor to the Air New Zealand Cup, Auckland competed in 8 of the 14 series, winning all of them. These achievements are all provincial rugby union records.

Auckland in Super Rugby

Players from Auckland make up the core of the Blues, which competes in the Super 14 competition between teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Clubs

College Rifles Rugby Football Club East Tamaki Rugby Football Club Eden Rugby Football Club Grammar Carlton Rugby Football Club Manukau Rovers Rugby Football Club Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Football Club Mt Wellington Rugby Football Club Otahuhu Rugby Football Club Pakuranga Rugby Football Club Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club

Ponsonby Rugby Football Club Roskill Districts Rugby Football Club Suburbs Rugby Football Club Tamaki Rugby Football Club Te Papapa Onehunga Rugby Football Club Teachers Eastern Rugby Football Club University Rugby Football Club Waiheke Rugby Football Club Waitakere City Sports & Rugby Football Club Waitemata Rugby Football Club

Notable players

Template:Incomplete list

• Zinzan Brooke
• Robin Brooke
• Anthony Seiuli
• Olo Brown
• Adrian Cashmore
• Eroni Clarke
• Justin Collins
• Lachie Munro
• Steve Devine
• John Drake
• Nick Evans
• Sean Fitzpatrick
• Grant Fox
• Andy Haden
• Patrick T. Walsh
• Shane Howarth
• Craig Dowd
• [Ofisa tunu'u]
• Doug Howlett
• Michael Niko Jones
• John Kirwan
• Pat Lam
• Sione Lauaki
• Brian Lima
• Bernie McCahill
• Keven Mealamu
• Kees Meeuws
• Isa Nacewa
• Joe Rokocoko
• Caleb Ralph
• Xavier Rush
• Carlos Spencer
• Saimone Taumoepeau
• Joe Stanley
• Alan Whetton
• Gary Whetton
• Ali Williams
• Terry Wright
• Pat Walsh
• Dave Gallaher
• Wilson Whineray
• Bryan Williams

External links

• Official site