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Canterbury Rugby Union
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| Nickname(s) |
Red and Blacks (unofficial) |
| Founded |
1879 |
| Ground(s) |
AMI Stadium (formerly Jade Stadium; Lancaster Park) |
| Capacity |
36,500 |
| Chairman |
 David Rhodes |
| Coach |
Rob Penney |
| League |
Air New Zealand Cup |
| 2008 |
Champions |
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The Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) is the official governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New Zealand, and is affiliated with the New Zealand Rugby Union. The team is based in Christchurch and plays home matches at AMI Stadium. Their historic colours are red and black, with today's jersey being mostly black with red hoops.
[edit] Canterbury in Super Rugby
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Canterbury players make up the core of the Crusaders, the most successful team in the history of Super Rugby, with six overall wins in the competition's eleven seasons. Canterbury and the Crusaders also share the same home ground at AMI Stadium, and the same colours, red and black.
[edit] Ranfurly Shield
Canterbury last held the Ranfurly Shield in 2007, defeating Waikato by 33–20, only one week after Waikato took the shield from North Harbour. In their next home fixture in the Air New Zealand Cup, they successfully defended the "Log of Wood" against Hawke's Bay, winning 44–6. Their next defence was unsuccessful however, losing their match in the final round of Air New Zealand Cup pool play against Auckland by 15-26.
[edit] Representative Rugby
Canterbury's senior side competes in the Air New Zealand Cup, the successor to the Premier Division of the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship (NPC). They won the NPC five times (1977, 1983, 1997, 2001, 2004). In the 2006 competition, Canterbury made their exit in the quarter finals losing 23-36 to Wellington. Wellington also ended Canterbury's season in the 2007 competition, beating them in a Semi Final match played in Christchurch, 26-21.
Current season see Canterbury in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup
[edit] Jersey
The main jersey sponsor is AMI Insurance. Apparel supplied by Union Apparel. Other sponsors include:
- Scenic Circle Hotels
- Leading Edge (Telecom)
- Tui beer
- Meridian Energy
In 2006 the CRFU changed the logo that appeared on the jerseys and associated media.
[edit] Notable players
The union has produced countless players for New Zealand's storied national team, the All Blacks. This includes Andrew Mehrtens, who has the record for the most All Black Test points (967 in 70 Tests). Also of note is Justin Marshall who is the second most capped All Black of all time, with 81 Test caps. Both players now continue to play professionally in the United Kingdom. The current All Blacks backs coach is former Canterbury representative and All Black Wayne Smith.
[edit] Former
[edit] Current
[edit] History
In 1879, Canterbury Rugby Football Union was the first organised Rugby Union in New Zealand. This came to be after delegates from Christchurch and surrounding areas, such as Ashburton and Timaru met in Timaru to discuss a possible union.
Later on, however, the southern areas (Timaru and Ashburton) broke away, forming their own unions (South Canterbury RFU and Ashburton County - later to be known as Mid Canterbury).
[edit] Affiliated Clubs
The following 52 clubs are affiliated to the Canterbury Rugby Football Union:
[edit] Notes and references
[edit] External links
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Crusaders franchise area |
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| Super 14 Team |
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| Air NZ Cup teams |
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| Heartland teams |
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| Stadiums |
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Canterbury Rugby Football Union - Related Items
Canterbury Rugby Football Union - In the news
David Rhodes
