Auckland play their home matches at Eden Park, and have done so since 1925. Michael Jones during practice three days before the 1987 Rugby World Cup final. The Auckland Rugby Union Supporters Club (ARUSC) was established in 1976 after a meeting between ARFU administration and a group of supporters. Recent JRF bursary recipients include Liaki Moli, Sean Polwart and Tyrone Ngaluafe. Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Finlay Christie (Tasman), Caleb Clarke (Auckland), Corey Evans (Auckland), Taufa Funaki (Auckland), Bryce Heem (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), AJ Lam (Auckland), Sam Nock (Northland), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Harry Plummer (Auckland), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki), Zarn Sullivan (Auckland), Mark David Kirk, left, the All Blacks' onfield captain, with injured squad skipper Andy Dalton, after New Zealand won the first Rugby World Cup final in 1987 at Auckland. Learn More. It found there was a case to answer on the question of whether the union had adhered to its responsibilities of promoting and fostering the game. But he should have been forgiven for he had done the same against Wellington at Athletic Park in 1982 and on that occasion it had worked. The suggestion came from Kevin Hague of the protest group, Halt All Racist Tours. Auckland themselves had done something similar arranging their 1993 schedule so that the side they had to beat to go to 25 was Hawkes Bay whose own predecessors in the 1920s had set the record of 24. Download this stock image: England players Delon Armitage and Toby Flood celebrate after defeating Scotland in Rugby World Cup game in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. Stofile paid a heavy price for giving evidence. Once more Auckland is struggling to put together a Super Rugby season - if only it had some of the magic of the best players of the past. Date: 1985 Ref: Eph-B-RUGBY-1985 Description: Includes: Barbarians v Auckland. The purposes of the organisation is to provide education, assistant and support for the promotion and development of participation by young people in rugby within the areas governed by the ARFU. Lawyer Phil Recordon, now a District Court judge, was the other to add his name to the case. Of the 30 witnesses to be called for Finnigan and Recordons side, Justice Maurice Casey only ended up hearing evidence from three Finnigan, Recordon and Reverend Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile. AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) The Fiji Drua had the last say in a match which saw 11 tries to edge Moana Pasifika 36-34 Saturday on the opening weekend of the Super Rugby Pacific season. Things got worse when two days into the hearing, agents of the French Government bombed the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland. Auckland has been the most successful team in NPC and its successors, winning the title a record 16 times. The Court of Appeal observed many New Zealanders believed touring South Africa could seriously affect the countrys international relations and that Finnigan and Recordon should not be dismissed as mere busybodies, cranks or other mischief-makers. Programme Auckland v England. On the 1951 tour of Australia he eclipsed Wallace's individual point-scoring record with six tries and 10 conversions against Central Western Districts. Gameplay action of half back Bruce Deans diving after the ball being watched by Skipper Don Hayes during the Canterbury versus North Auckland Rugby Ranfurly Shield match at Lancaster Park. The writ, called ne exeat regno, was used by the English monarch to stop a person from leaving the realm in times of an emergency. They built up the atmosphere for a legal case to succeed. It was not the first time the courts had been used to challenge sporting contact with South Africa. . Bob Graham (rugby union) John Graham (rugby union) Charles Gregory (rugby) H Andy Haden Bill Hadley (rugby union) Swin Hadley Kurtis Haiu Siua Halanukonuka Liam Hallam-Eames Dave Halligan Grayson Hart Sione Havili Talitui Harold Hayward Bryce Heem Keith Helander Jamie Helleur Sam Henwood Mack Herewini Ernie Herring Maurice Herrold Jason Hewett The preliminaries to this tour were shrouded in uncertainty and selection The flour bombs and pitch invasions of the 1981 Springbok tour saw hundreds of protestors arrested and brought before the courts. australian schoolboys rugby team 1987. The union was established in 1883 and was originally responsible for the administration of the sport in most of the former Auckland Province, although its boundaries have since shrunk to include only a portion of the Auckland urban area.The union governs the Auckland representative team, which has won New Zealand's first-tier . Formula 1. The ruling was taken to the Court of Appeal, which overturned the decision in part. Some police officers had also written to the union to say they couldnt wait to get their baton onto the heads of the protestors. A formidable team: John Marshall QC, Ted Thomas, QC, Dame Sian Elias and Paddy Finnigan photographed in July 1985. One of the most respected players of his era, would go on to carve an equally impressive career in business, and was subsequently knighted in the 1990s. ICC Test Championship; ICC ODI Championship; Twenty20 Internationals A century of the Ranfurly Shield by Lindsay Knight. Sport betting help; Statistics; Competitions prize list; Calendar 2022; Calendar 2022/2023; Motor Sport. Well known for his large thighs and big sidestep, stayed involved in the game after his playing retirement as a coach and administrator. The Rugby League Jersey Archive The material on this site is not my own. PARTNERING WITH SOUTH SEAS HEALTHCARE TO SUPPORT SOUTH AUCKLAND FAMILIES Read More. Answer: Auckland 24 - Canterbury 0 The final score was Auckland 28-Canterbury 23. A PLAYER'S VIEWS", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Auckland_Rugby_Union&oldid=1137502648, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 00:00. But it does not appear these were considered seriously and an attempt by the Auckland member of the NZRU council, Ron Don, to have the decision against a live telecast changed was also beaten. He was an integral part of a dominant Auckland team of his era, and was one of the stars of the inaugural '87 World Cup, scoring a magnificent individual try against Italy that has stood the test of time. Remembering the 1981 Springbok tour: Liz Roberts recalls the day of the 2nd Test in Wellington. He became the sole selector to the Auckland team, leading the side to eight successive Ranfurly Shield wins, before he served on the All Blacks selection committee from 1907 to 1914. Protesters and police clash in Walters Road outside Eden Park on the day of the third test between the All Blacks and Springboks in 1981. The top eight compete for the Gallaher Shield, named after former Auckland and All Blacks player Dave Gallaher, while the bottom eight compete for the Portola Trophy. While Canterbury had been defending the shield for so long and with such distinction Auckland had been accomplishing their own deeds, especially in 1984 when with some spectacular rugby they had swept to the national provincial championship title. Players like Andy Haden, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Drake, Olo Brown, Zinzan and Robin Brooke, Gary and Alan Whetton, Michael Jones, Steve McDowell, Grant Fox, Bernie McCahill,Grant Dickson, Mark Carter, Joe Stanley, John Kirwan and Terry Wright were important in Auckland's success in that last period. The Recordon family had been getting death threats and even faeces in the post. Edward Gay reports. It was almost standard practice in the 1980s for every provincial match in the country to kick off on Saturday afternoons around 2.30. This enabled them to avoid the hype which was generated with such enthusiasm throughout Canterbury. The case was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. It contained so many elements which made it remarkable. The only exception was a radio interview with Haden by Rocky Patterson in the course of which there were several references, clearly in the hope they would be noticed by referee Bob Francis, to Canterburys lineout tactics of 1983. The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. A forerunner of the power winger that is so prevalent in the game today, "Beegee" as he was widely known, carved a fine career for both Auckland (132 games) and the All Blacks (38 tests). The Wallabies are a proud part of Rugby AU. One well-known former All Black still refuses to play golf with him, despite 35 years passing. While the court agreed the unions council had the right to make the decision, it ruled Finnigan and Recordon could bring their case and said the players were linked to the union by a chain of contracts. Auckland, New Zealand aucklandrugby.co.nz Joined May 2011. I'm also a communications professional with leadership experience in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. He is now an All Blacks selector. Australia's Test Match record against all nations, updated to 26 November 2022, is as follows. Had to wait until he was 30 for a national call up but still managed to play 27 tests, scoring four tries. READ MORE: * Photos chronicling the storming of Hamilton's Rugby Park on show at Waikato Museum for anniversary of Springbok Tour protests * Errol Tobias hails 1981 Springbok tour protests in NZ for showing South Africa 'apartheid had to end' * '81 Springbok protests galvanises a nation divided - 150 Years of News, Thomas acknowledges that public opposition had set the stage. A true legend of the New Zealand game based on his unwavering strength and dominance as a hard-running, big-tackling No 8, and also his outstanding leadership. Australia's National Rugby Union Team - Do not miss your chance to shop, catch up on the latest news or secure your tickets for the upcoming Wallabies tests. The flour bombs and pitch invasions of the 1981 Springbok tour saw hundreds of. That created divisions that took some time to repair.. Details of Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSWRL 1985 season. Hospital authorities moved Recordons French wife into the basement of National Womens Hospital as a safety precaution. One problem for Hart and Haden was what to do if they should win the toss and whether to take first use of a sharp southerly wind which was more brisk than it seemed from the stands. The trial would go ahead. . The decision was to be academic. As soon as we filed our proceedings, and there was publicity, about half the guys said they wouldnt play if I was playing, recalls Recordon. Auckland also holds the record for the most Ranfurly Shield wins (16), successful defences (148), and longest streak of successful defences (61). Canterbury rugby player Fergie McCormick 1 October 1970 Fergie McCormick leaving the pitch at Lancaster Park following a . They called him 'The Iceman' because of all the ice he needed on his battered body after games, and the Auckland, Blues and All Blacks loose forward certainly played with a commitment and intensity that took a toll - both on himself and opponents. >Sam has mentored, led and facilitated senior . The Rugby Championship; IRB World Rankings; General Links. Just better. He then joined the army at a relatively late age, and was killed in the Passchendaele offensive in 1917 aged 43. Bunceplayed his first game for Auckland in 1986 but made his namewith a shift to North Harbour in 1991. It was intense. 'Far better than I thought': Monster truck redemption - crowds pack out Auckland show of maligned tour 04 Mar 06:44 AM Road rage horror: 14-year-old one of two charged with murder after minor car . The Gallaher Shield is awarded to the winner of the senior premier club rugby competition, for overall club records see Gallaher Shield page. His argument hinged on key documents included in boxes of paper from the union, including meeting minutes and letters from rugby fans. Tussles with Wallabies duo Tim Horan and Jason Little were treasured. (Unione delle Societ Francesi di Sport Atletici); dal 1919 opera invece sotto quella della Fdration . 2 Auckland won the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury on September 28th 1985, but what was the half time score? Contents 1 International competitions 2 National competitions 2.1 Rugby League Cup 2.2 Inter-district competition 2.3 National Club competition 3 Australasian competition 4 Club competitions 4.1 Auckland 4.2 Wellington 4.3 Canterbury The winner of the competition was Mr J.E. 8 for Wellington and then New Zealand between 1975 and 1985. Then, in 1981, Bishop Brian Ashby brought a case seeking judicial review of the decision to grant visas to the Springboks. Despite unanimous opposition from Parliament, and widespread protest action, the union was adamant the tour would go ahead. I suppose in a sense it was embarrassing for him, that his son-in-law should have done this, reflects Hansen. Dick Greenwood, England's current coach, announced he was not available having just taken a new job, and eventually 2 coaches were appointed under Derek Morgan, Martin Green and Brian Ashton. It became an obsession with them.. Three days into the trial, it was apparent proceedings would not finish before the All Blacks were due to fly out. CANTERBURY V AUCKLAND Lancaster Park, Christchurch, September 14, 1985 Andy Haden - Lock who was a key influence for Auckland Warwick Taylor - Canterbury second-five, reflected the game was a good advertisement for rugby From "The Shield. This was a magnificent exception.. It perhaps did more than anything else to remove what had been till then a still strict policy on live telecasts by the New Zealand Rugby Union. This list may not reflect recent changes. 11.8K Followers. When he first burst onto the scene the Tokoroa product had rare speed for a hooker, too. Auckland also acts as a primary feeder to the Blues, who play in the Super Rugby competition. Thomas recalls hearing protest leader John Minto being interviewed on the radio, saying it was now up to the lawyers to stop the tour. Thomas and Hansen needed someone who was prepared to put their name to the legal action. Ponsonby have dominated the Auckland competition in recent years, having been champions on eight consecutive occasions between 2004 and 2011. Latest breaking news articles, photos, video, blogs, reviews, analysis, opinion and reader comment from New Zealand and around the World - NZ Herald Dame Sian Elias at her valedictory sitting at the Supreme Court. Teams play for the cup and a winners prize of $2500. Players like Kees Meeuws, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Justin Collins, Xavier Rush, Steve Devine, Brad Mika, Ben Atiga, Doug Howlett, Daniel Braid, Brent Ward and Angus Macdonald contributed to that success. Manners Street, site of the French Embassy, could become Boulevard Mururoa or Avenue Rainbow Warrior, writes Dave Armstrong. The Mid-Canterbury farmer captained the side that won the Shield in 1982 and repelled 25 challenges until Auckland snaffled the silverware in 1985. P. 216-218. The team with the highest competition points at the end of this round will be awarded the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy which commemorates Alan McEvoy an Auckland rep and All Black Trialist who drowned tragically at Baylys Beach in the early 1950s. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) - 2NB50NY from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. Auckland won 16 of the 26 Air NZ NPC titles available in that time a period that included 61 Ranfurly Shield defences. This is a sortable table, set to default order by the kick-off date and time. Initially let go by the Blues he revived his career in Hamilton, and was swiftly pulled back to Auckland. Sir Ted Thomas QC at his home in Remuera, Auckland. The Fred Allen Trophy is also played for during the round-robin phase. Eden Park, 20 April 1985. And Hart, mindful there was failure in each spell of one or the other sides defensive pattern, has always believed the match played by Auckland and Canterbury at Eden Park a year later was technically superior. image [Rugby football programmes featuring New Zealand national, provincial or club teams. Auckland most recently held the shield between 2007 and 2008, when 5 challenges were defeated. It made me realise that New Zealanders are basically good people, but equally, a lot of people would do well in Trumpland.. Auckland' fortunes collapsed when New Zealand Rugby moved to being a professional sport. The High Court ruled that while clubs could have brought the case, Finnegan and Recordon were not themselves affiliated with the union. Auckland went undefeated for six seasons from 1897, with victory over the British and Irish Lions in 1904. Big, fast and elusive, the one-time butcher boy from Mangere burst on to the New Zealand scene with his breathtaking skills and speed. Retired High Court Judge Rodney Hansen, KC, has been appointed to assess whether Alan Hall is innocent, and if so, what compensation he should receive. Auckland Warriors - 1995 Away; Brazil - 2018 & 2021 Home; Brazil - 2021 Away; Brazil Amazonas - 2018 Home; 29 October - Women . Fixtures; Tickets . His defence, well, let's just say his opposite didn't enjoy those collisions. Players are listed by the decade they were first selected in and players in bold are current All Blacks. There's no question the All Blacks are the best rugby team in the world. But there was a little more to this match than the excitement which took place on the pitch. 19. 091220 News Photo. Lightweight by modern standards, tipping the scales at 72kg, Fox was a proud Auckland Grammar product who went on to assume a coaching role with the Blues. 1988 NZ Mori tours Italy, France, Spain and Argentina. Eight teams compete for the Waka Nathan Cup while the bottom seven teams from the previous year's competition contest the Pollard Cup. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. As long ago as 1972, of course, the NZRU had relaxed its stand against live telecasts but retained a measure of conservatism and control and the policy was nowhere near as liberal as it would become in the 1990s and into the present when it almost seems as if television now has too much of a say. When Steve McDowall landed a fifth try early in the second spell it seemed as if a fine Canterbury reign would end in the ignominy of a rout. It was not a successful tour. England played seven games, including two test matches against the New Zealand national rugby union team. In the early years Bay of Plenty, Counties and Manawatu won the competition, but since 1985 only Wellington, Otago and Waikato (with two wins each) had challenged the two powerhouses. Level 6 North Stand, Gate B, Walters Rd, Eden Park, Mount Eden, 1024. Besides the stirring quality of the rugby the 1985 AucklandCanterbury shield match was significant in another respect. Samuelu Sefuiva, DIP CM, Associate NZIM Samuelu (Sam) Sefuiva has over 30 years' experience in public policy, strategic and business advice, cultural and economic development and executive leadership. It is similar to the Ranfurly Shield, where it is only up for grabs at home games of the trophy holder. In 2014, it celebrated 140 years over Queens Birthday Weekend with past and present players and the wider community. Sir Wilson Whineray, who captained Auckland through those years and the All Blacks in 30 tests from 1957 to 1965, describes the period as one of "excitement, drama and fervor that transformed Eden Park into an oasis of magic during the winters of 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963." Eden Park,. Played hard, smart and with an uncompromising approach. The ground opened in 1900 and also is used for cricket. The Red Roses set a world-record 30-match winning streak on the way to the World Cup final. It wasnt too difficult to show they were so obsessed in beating the protestors, that they had lost sight of the interests of rugby. Players like Andy Haden, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Drake, Olo Brown, Zinzan and Robin Brooke, Gary and Alan Whetton, Michael Jones, Steve McDowell, Grant Fox, Bernie McCahill,Grant Dickson, Mark Carter, Joe Stanley, John Kirwan and Terry Wright were important in Auckland's success in that last period. Began his career as a flanker and evolved into one of our best hookers. A formidable team: John Marshall QC, Ted Thomas, QC, Dame Sian Elias and Paddy Finnigan photographed in July 1985. Also added to his legend by getting his scrotum stitched up and losing four teeth in the infamous 'Battle of Nantes" against France in 1986, and playing on. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. There were other pressures also. Stofile said the All Blacks tour was announced just a month after nine protesters were shot dead by South African authorities on the 25th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. . Jerseys, club crests and sponsors' logos are the intellectual property of their respective owners. It was difficult to find too many people who did not think a mistake had been made and it was perhaps one reason why in a few years time administrators embraced television with a haste which has become embarrassing. Recent. Everyone on the legal team spoken to by Stuff paid homage to the anti-apartheid protesters. Rodney Hansen QC was one of those who attended the meetings. Area: South East / Waltham They approached provincial unions, then rugby clubs, before looking for individual players. In addition to the Men's 1st XV, the ARU has a number of other representative teams for both Men and Women. . https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Auckland_rugby_union_players&oldid=1029390538, Rugby union players in New Zealand by team, Template Category TOC via CatAutoTOC on category with 301600 pages, CatAutoTOC generates standard Category TOC, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 June 2021, at 17:48. This squad includes eight Mori. Between 14 September 1985 and 18 September 1993, Auckland defended the Ranfurly Shield for 61 consecutive challenges. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Their most recent title was the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership. And not just any player; they wanted a player who was a lawyer and aware of the potential risks. His father-in-law had been an All Black in 1937-1938 and was friends with union administrators. There have been many notable eras in the team's history. PONSONBY RUGBY CLUB From Humble beginings in 1874 PRINCIPAL SPONSORS About the club Ponsonby Rugby Club is the longest standing grassroots Club in Auckland, New Zealand. We were scouring for plaintiffs.. Sanzaar: The home of rugby in the southern hemisphere. And so as one great shield era ended, another which would be even greater was about to begin. Looking back, Finnigan suggests some of those who supported the tour were able to stomach the cancellation because the courts had delivered it. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. 1,439 Following. It just seemed so wrong for the tour to be taking place, says Finnigan. Television New Zealand also made a late overture for a live telecast but made only a token offer of apparently around $10,000, which no one could blame the NZRU for dismissing. We were indebted to the protesters.. The third team from England to visit New Zealand made a seven match tour in May and June of 1985. SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF Chief Executive of Forest and Bird Kevin Hague pictured. He said: Yes I know but what has to be done, has to be done.. Then another idea filtered through. Auckland have also produced a record number of All Blacks, 181, the most recent being Akira Ioane in 2017. They won four of the seven matches but lost both of the test matches as well as the fixture against the Auckland provincial team. Among the earliest founding clubs in Auckland were Grafton (1874), Ponsonby (1874) and College Rifles (1897), Marist (1908), University (1888), Grammar (1914) and Suburbs (1918). In 1996, with the advent of professional rugby union, Auckland became the host, and primary feeder, to the Blues, known from 199699 as the Auckland Blues. Notable periods include from 1905 to 1913, when they defeated 23 successive challenges, 1960 and 1963, when 25 challenges were defeated, 1985 to 1993, when a record 61 were defeated. We include Wilson Whineray whodebuted in1953 through to Keven Mealamu. In 1983 Auckland had challenged Canterbury, only to have been humiliated. This seemed a blatant insensitivity to our efforts to bring equality and justice to our country., Thomas says Stofiles evidence was compelling. Alama Ieremia closes his chapter with Auckland NPC team. Wyllie believed Canterburys 1983 defence against Wellington was the best and most dramatic of their shield era. The club's emblem is the "Flying Elephant", which was agreed upon after a competition to find a mascot was found. For the past three or four years Canterbury and Auckland had been the dominant sides of provincial rugby and under the coaching of Wyllie and Hart they had lifted the bar to an unprecedented level. On the first day Recordon was tapped on the shoulder by Elias and told his wife had given birth in Auckland. There have been, too, comebacks from sides better than the Canterbury recovery of the second spell, Aucklands against Bay of Plenty in 1996 for example and a later Canterbury side against Wellington in 2001. Costello Jones is the textbook definition of a lovable rogue. Starred for Counties Manukau and the Blues and went on to play 63 tests for the All Blacks, and dominate two World Cups. With six titles in the 1990s and four in the 2000s, Auckland's domination of the New Zealand rugby landscape continued. Sam has a strong professional and personal interest in the Pacific region particularly in human rights, social enterprise and public policy. He says while serving as president of the Auckland University Students Association several irksome members had challenged association decisions using its own founding document. I thought how selfish it was for a small group to hold the nation to ransom politically when it was so obvious around the world that the apartheid regime was horrible.. Elias recalls looking to the packed public gallery and seeing veteran protester Trevor Richards shouting in victory. Simon Middleton's side were edged out 34-31 in an agonising final defeat at Auckland's Eden Park in . Soane Tongauiha (born 1982), Tongan rugby union international representative; plays for the Northampton Saints; born in Tonga and educated in Auckland at St Peter's College. They saw the strain that it put on the whole legal system and the respect for the law.. [Eden Park], 4 May 1985. [2] There was an undefeated run in the early 1920s under Sir Vincent Meredith. He was a powerhouse with ball in hand. The South African Presbyterian minister; anti-Apartheid activist; and rugby administrator, told the court it would be immoral for free people to visit South Africa while the country operated under a system that stifles freedom for the majority of its citizens.. We'll update you with all things Auckland Rugby, from NPC news to Club and School. It took him a while to unseat the popular Wayne Shelford in the national team, but once he did he was an irresistible force. Auckland Rugby Union - Our Teams OUR TEAMS BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC AND FARAH PALMER CUP Auckland is the most successful provincial union in New Zealand with 15 Women's NPC and 17 Men's NPC titles. Played . Despite the huge interest in the AucklandCanterbury match the NZRU of the time stood firm against allowing it to be telecast live. I just kept on going, I kept on working, says Recordon, who decided not to burden Thomas with what was going on in Auckland. It is now no less appropriate that the lawfulness of the unions decision under its own constitution to arrange the proposed tour should be open to test in the courts.. Sport betting help; Statistics; Competitions prize list; Calendar 2022; Calendar 2022/2023; Motor Sport. The Court of Appeal sent the case back to the High Court. In the following days, the union announced it would not be appealing the decision or proceeding with the tour. Brooke was an extraordinarily gifted footballer, with skills and a derring-do that made him so much more than just a capable back-of-the-scrum man for dominant Auckland, Blues and All Blacks sides of the '80s and '90s. There was another dimension to the 1985 match. The Auckland Rugby Union is a New Zealand provincial rugby union. They created the climate.. Winning the toss, Canterburys captain Don Hayes conceded first use of the wind and that could not have suited the Auckland game plan better. What rugby needed at that time after a season of strife and trauma because of the South African tour controversy, had been a good will gesture and some meaningful public relations. They currently compete in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership. Canterbury v North Auckland Ranfurly Shield rugby match 7 September 1985. Auckland were the first holders of the Ranfurly Shield in 1902 and have won 153 out of 194 shield matches - the most successful record of any provincial union. Jumping away to a 24-0 lead by halftime, Auckland then had to withstand a furious finish by Canterbury in the second spell before surviving to win 28-23. In 1961 against Thames Valley and in 1962 against Auckland all the Clarke brothers played together as one-third of the team. Each year, Auckland Rugby Referees Association provides match officials at over 3,100 matches for 126 Senior Teams, 429 . A mobile and hard-nosed hooker who came in to replace injured skipper Andy Dalton in the 1987 World Cup-winning All Blacks and went on to form one of the great front rows in New Zealand history alongside Olo Brown and Craig Dowd.