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| I am looking for pictures and other information to do with the football ground for this province, if you can help please contact me on
blufforn@e3.net.nz |
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| Founded - 1888
Main Ground - Spriggens Park, Wanganui.
Colours - Black and royal blue hoops with narrow white bands, white shorts, blue and white hooped socks. A BRIEF HISTORY
The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed on April 11, 1888, at a meeting in Chavanne's Hotel. It joined the NZRFU as a foundation member in 1892.
The first recorded match in Wanganui at Aramoho on June 22, 1872, between Town v Country, lasting for two hours.
Former Nelson captain A Drew is credited with starting interest in rugby in the city. Wanganui's first official game after affiliation with the NZRFU was against an overseas side -- a 1-all draw with Great Britain in 1888.
Most notable wins include 11-6 v Australia 1913 and 12-6 (with King Country) against British Isles in 1966 before a Spriggens Park record crowd of 23,000.
Wanganui union boundary extends from Patea River to Rangitikei River up to Waiouru and includes Northern Wanganui and Rangitikei sub-unions.
Main grounds are Spriggens Park and Cooks Gardens.
Wanganui provided five NZRFU presidents - W Empson (1900), G H Spriggens (1917), G H Pownall (1932), Dr G J Adams (1930) and E G Bevege (1961).
Most notable All Blacks wing forward Moke Belliss, captain of NZ to Australia in 1922, and mid-centre back Bill Osborne (1975-82 - 48 matches - 16 tests). Challenged for Ranfurly Shield 25 times - 24 defeats, 15-all draw with Taranaki in 1964.
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| CEO Tim Hamilton
COACHING Peter Te Huna
Wanganui RFU
40 Maria Place Extn
P O Box 516
Wanganui
Tel 06 348 1440
Fax 06 348 1442 |
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