Wellington Lions
The Wellington Rugby Football Union (known as the Wellington Lions for competition reasons) are a New Zealand governing body of rugby union in the New Zealand province of Wellington Region. The main stadium is Sky Stadium (formerly named Westpac Stadium) which is located in Wellington. The union also represents the Wellington Lions, which is professional rugby union team who compete in the National Provincial Championship competition and contest for the Ranfurly Shield. Before 2006 the Lions competed in the original National Provincial Championship. Super Rugby Players from Wellington who are eligible to play in the Super Rugby generally play for the Hurricanes, and traditionally contribute the core of the Hurricanes squad. This position is largely due to the Wellington basing of the Hurricanes. Further, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, two Hurricane provinces and prolific talent producers, had long been mired in the second half of the original National Provincial Championship, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Rugby Union
Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in England in the first half of the 19th century. Rugby is based on running with the ball in hand. In its most common form, a game is played between two teams of 15 players each, using an Rugby ball, oval-shaped ball on a rectangular field called a pitch. The field has H-shaped Goal (sports)#Structure, goalposts at both ends. Rugby union is a popular sport around the world, played by people regardless of gender, age or size. In 2023, there were more than 10 million people playing worldwide, of whom 8.4 million were registered players. World Rugby, previously called the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) and the International Rugby Board (IRB), has been the governing body for rugby union since 1886, a ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jonah Lomu
Jonah Tali Lomu (12 May 1975 – 18 November 2015) was a New Zealand professional rugby union player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players in the history of the sport, and as one of the most talented sportsmen ever. Lomu is considered to have been the first true global superstar of rugby, and consequently had a huge impact on the game. Standing and weighing , Lomu was famed for his unprecedented speed, strength and agility. Exceptionally large for a wing player, he is also known as the first winger to be a physical heavyweight. For his fast and effortless style of play, Lomu was once nicknamed the "freight train in ballet shoes", and was celebrated for his ability to shrug off tackles from multiple opponents at once. He became the youngest ever All Black when he played his first international in 1994 at the age of 19 years and 45 days. Playing on the wing, Lomu finished his international career with 63 caps and 37 tries. Lomu was inducted ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Filo Tiatia
Filogia Ian "Filo" Tiatia (born 4 June 1971) is a New Zealand former international rugby union player and current coach. He is best known for his time as back-row forward and occasional lock for the Ospreys (rugby union), Ospreys. He is currently head coach of Welsh side Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship. Tiatia made his debut for Wellington Rugby Football Union, Wellington in 1992, playing through the advent of professionalism and then represented the Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise), Hurricanes in the Super Rugby, Super 12 between 1996 and 2002. Tiatia won 2 caps for the All Blacks, New Zealand national side in 2000. His first was as a replacement in a 102–0 win against Tonga national rugby union team, Tonga where he scored a try. The next was a start at flanker against Italy national rugby union team, Italy where he again scored another trymatch list He then moved to Japan to play four seasons for Toyota Verblitz before signing for the Welsh region the Ospreys ( ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Norm Hewitt
Norman Jason Hewitt (11 November 1968 – 16 July 2024) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played as a Hooker (rugby union), hooker. He won nine caps for the New Zealand national rugby union team, New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. Hewitt participated in, and won, season one of ''Dancing with the Stars (New Zealand TV series), Dancing with the Stars'' in 2005. Rugby career Although in All Blacks squads from 1993 until 1999, Hewitt’s appearances were limited by the presence of Sean Fitzpatrick and later selectors also preferring Anton Oliver and Mark Hammett. He played 9 test matches (4 as a substitute) and 14 other matches for the New Zealand national team. Hewitt played nearly 300 first class rugby matches. This included 15 for Māori All Blacks, New Zealand Māori, 66 Super Rugby and 143 National Provincial Championship (1976–2005), National Provincial Championship (NPC) matches. He captained New Zealand A and New Zealand Maori, the Hurricanes (rugby union), ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jon Preston
Jon Paul Preston (born 15 November 1967) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A halfback and first five-eighth, Preston represented Canterbury and Wellington at a provincial level and the in Super Rugby. He was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ..., from 1991 to 1997, playing 27 matches for the team, including 10 internationals. References 1967 births Living people Rugby union players from Dunedin People educated at St Bede's College, Christchurch Rugby union scrum-halves Rugby union fly-halves New Zealand rugby union players New Zealand international rugby union players Canterbury rugby union players Wellington rugby union players Hurricanes (rugby union) players Bath Rugby players ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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John Gallagher (rugby)
John Anthony Gallagher (born 29 January 1964) is a former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. Born in England to Irish parents, he moved to New Zealand and played rugby union for New Zealand as a fullback, winning the World Cup in 1987. In 1990, he moved to rugby league, playing for Leeds, and the London Crusaders as a . Gallagher returned to rugby union and played one game for Ireland A in 1996. Early life Gallagher was born in Lewisham, London to Irish parents. An enthusiastic Arsenal football supporter, he was introduced to rugby union at his childhood school, St. Joseph's Academy, Blackheath, where he was required by the headmaster to join the team. Rugby union Gallagher first visited New Zealand in 1984 and played for the Oriental Rongotai club in Wellington. He went on to play for the Wellington provincial team, before he returned to England and joined the Metropolitan Police. He subsequently returned to New Zealand and joine ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Murray Pierce
Murray James Pierce (born 1 November 1957) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a lock forward. He won 26 caps for the All Blacks between 1984 and 1989 and played in the victorious New Zealand team at the 1987 Rugby World Cup The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. It was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia – New Zealand hosted 21 matches (17 pool stage matches, two semi-finals, the third-place play-off and the final) while Australia hosted 11 mat .... Pierce made his debut for the All Blacks in the 1984 tour to Australia and Fiji. In addition to his 26 international test caps, he played 28 additional games for the All Blacks. Pierce was also a sworn member of the New Zealand Police as were a number of other All Blacks of his era, such as John Gallagher. References External links * 1957 births Living people New Zealand international rugby union players New Zealand rugby union players New Zealand police officers People edu ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Scott Crichton (rugby Union)
Scott Crichton (born 18 February 1954) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, educated at Wanganui Boys' College, Whanganui. After transferring to the Capital he played club rugby for the Karori, Oriental-Rongotai, Athletic and Western Suburbs rugby football clubs in Wellington. Known as a powerful scrummager, Crichton represented Wellington at the provincial level for 111 games including a successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato (22-4) in 1981 and subsequent defences in 1982 before Wellington lost the Shield to Canterbury. He also played in the close but ultimately unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury the following year at Lancaster Park scrumming against All Black loosehead prop, John Ashworth. The majority of Crichton's Wellington appearances were with Brian McGrattan as his propping partner on the loosehead. Crichton was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1983 to 1985. He played seven matches f ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Allan Hewson
Allan Roy Hewson (born 6 June 1954) represented the New Zealand All Blacks in 19 Rugby Union internationals between 1981 and 1984. Hewson played at fullback. Since his retirement from international rugby Hewson has continued to be involved with Wellington rugby. All Black career Hewson was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. He played five tour matches in England, Scotland and Italy in 1979, but was not selected for the tests, as coach Eric Watson did not regard him highly. His test debut came about as a result of injuries to other players, and was on 13 June 1981 v Scotland (at Carisbrook in Dunedin), which the All Blacks won 11–4. His final appearance was on 21 July 1984 v Australia (in Sydney), which the All Blacks lost 16–9. At and just 73 kg in weight, Hewson was extremely slight by international Rugby Union standards, and endured scepticism from the New Zealand public throughout his rugby career. Despite his stature, Hewson's international record speaks for itself ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Bernie Fraser (rugby Union)
Bernard Gabriel Fraser (born 21 July 1953) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played 124 games for Wellington, and 55 games, including 23 test matches, for New Zealand. Personal life Fraser was born in Lautoka; he is of Fijian descent with Scottish and Portuguese ancestry. He attended St Paul's College in Auckland. He is the father of Grammy award-winner singer and songwriter Brooke Fraser Brooke Gabrielle Ligertwood (née Fraser; born 15 December 1983) is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. She uses both her maiden and married names professionally. After signing with Sony BMG in 2002, she gained recognition for her debut album, ... and the godfather of lawyer Greg King's eldest daughter, Pippa. Books * ''Ebony and Ivory'', 1984 - with Stu Wilson References External links * 1953 births New Zealand international rugby union players Living people New Zealand rugby union players People educated at St Paul's College, Auckland New Zealand peopl ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Stu Wilson
Stuart Sinclair Wilson (22 July 1954 – 8 June 2025) was a New Zealand rugby union player. He played as a wing or centre for Wellington from 1973 to 1983 and the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, from 1976 to 1983. He was notably a member of the 1978 Grand Slam team that defeated all four Home Unions, and also captaining the New Zealand national team on the 1983 end of season tour. Early life Wilson was born on 22 July 1954 in Gore, but moved to Masterton as a child and was educated at Wairarapa College where he excelled in athletics, cricket, golf, hockey, and tennis as well as playing 1st XV rugby. He also played under-20 and under-23 representative cricket for Wellington. Rugby career In 1973 Wilson made the New Zealand Colts team and was coached by Jack Gleeson, who would later coach him in the All Blacks. Wilson debuted for New Zealand on the 1976 tour of Argentina, becoming All Black number 772. Wilson went on the end of season tour to Italy and France, ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Waikato Rugby Union
The Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Headquartered in Hamilton, New Zealand, Hamilton, WRU was founded in 1921. Its senior representative team, nicknamed the ''Mooloos'', competes in the Mitre 10 Cup (formerly known as the ITM Cup and Air New Zealand Cup), and won the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup, inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006. The squad plays its home fixtures at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. The union's colours are red, yellow and black. History Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The inaugural representative match played ended in a 15-all draw against Taranaki Rugby Union, Taranaki. Waikato had its first win by their third fixture when they defeated Manawatu Rugby Union, Manawatu 6–0. The first home match was played against New South Wales Waratahs, New South Wales from Australia at the Claudelands Showground, losing 11 to 28. In 1925 the Rugby Park was opened, and ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |