Today in History

1892 Rugby Union founded

As the popularity of rugby grew, it became necessary to standardise the running of the game in this country. Despite some opposition, a New Zealand Rugby Football Union was created at a meeting held in Wellington on 16 April 1892.

During the 1880s there had been many squabbles about fixtures, scoring values, and the interpretation of the laws of the game. These could be overcome if a supreme authority along the lines of the English Rugby Football Union was formed to give guidance and pass judgment on vital matters. Visiting teams also found it awkward to have to deal separately with local unions rather than an overall governing body.

The idea of a New Zealand union was not new, but it did not gain any real momentum until 1891. E.D. Hoben, the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay union, toured the country promoting his idea of a national body. He received sufficient support to convene a meeting in Wellington in November at which a constitution was drafted for examination by the unions. Delegates representing the Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wellington, Otago and Canterbury unions met again in Wellington on 16 April 1892. Poverty Bay, Bush, Nelson, Marlborough and South Canterbury did not send representatives but offered their support.

The powerful Otago and Canterbury unions did not initially join the NZRFU. By 1895, however, they and Southland were all affiliated with the national organisation.