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The 'New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU)' (also known as the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU)) is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It is affiliated to the International Rugby Board the sport's world governing body.
The NZRFU celebrated its Centenary with the All Blacks playing against an invitational World XV team in 1992.
Seven unions were represented but with the significant absence of Canterbury, Otago and Southland. The NZRFU joined the International Rugby Board in 1949.

Contents

CEO

President

National Teams

Men

Women

Other

Provincial Unions

North Island

South Island

References

External links

CEO

In January 2003, Chris Moller became the CEO of the NZRFU but on April 2 2007 he announced that he will not be renewing his contract after the 2007 Rugby World Cup and that his deputy Steve Tew will take over the position^[1].

President

On April 26th 2007 at the NZRFU's Annual General Meeting former All Black Andy Leslie was elected as the successor to John Graham^[2].

National Teams

The NZRFU has several teams under its control^[3]

Men

★ 'All Blacks' - the national mens rugby union team of New Zealand

★ 'Junior All Blacks' - is in fact the second national team behind the All Blacks and is not an age graded side.

★ 'Sevens' - the national rugby sevens team of New Zealand. Established in 1983, when the first full international side was sent to the famous Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

★ 'New Zealand Māori' - the national mens Māori team of New Zealand. Members of this team must have at least 1/16 Māori ancestry (one great-great-grandparent).

★ 'Under 19s' - an age graded side that has developed some of today's current All Blacks, referred to as the "Baby Blacks."

★ 'Under 21s' - an age graded side that has developed some of today's current All Blacks, also referred to as the "Baby Blacks."

★ 'Heartland XV' - established in 1988 to expose players from Divisions Two and Three in the Air New Zealand NPC to rugby at a higher level. After the 2006 reorganisation of the NPC into the fully professional Air New Zealand Cup and the nominally amateur Heartland Championship, the team now consists solely of players from the Heartland Championship.

★ 'NZ Schools' - a development team of school players who move up to the Under 19s, Under 21s and ultimately the All Blacks.

Women

★ 'Black Ferns' - the national womens rugby union team of New Zealand.

Other

★ 'Wheel Blacks' - the national mens wheelchair team of New Zealand.

Provincial Unions

The NZRFU is comprised of 17 North Island Provincial Unions and 9 South Island Provincial Unions.

North Island

The North Island Provincial Unions are:

★ Auckland

★ Bay of Plenty

★ Counties-Manukau

★ East Coast

★ Hawke's Bay

★ Horowhenua-Kapiti

★ King Country

★ Manawatu

★ North Harbour

★ Northland

★ Poverty Bay

★ Taranaki

★ Thames Valley

★ Waikato

★ Wairarapa Bush

★ Wanganui

★ Wellington

South Island

The South Island Provincial Unions are:

★ Buller

★ Canterbury

★ Mid-Canterbury

★ North Otago

★ Otago

★ South Canterbury

★ Southland

★ Tasman

★ West Coast.

References

1. Moller to step down
2. Leslie named NZRU President
3. New Zealand Teams

External links

★ the official home of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the All Blacks