History of New Zealand Rugby

Ancient Beginnings

Long before humans stepped foot on our shores, ball games were a popular pastime in the ancient world More...

Early Settlement

Some games, like cricket and horse racing came early - before rugby More...

English Roots

Voyages were made by ship, with the experience often proving miserable and dangerous More...

1870's

1870 saw a rugby match in Nelson and was followed up by an inter-provincial game in Wellington. By the end of the decade there were over 80 rugby clubs More...

1880's

Provincial Unions were formed and the first International tours kicked off More...

1890's

Founding of the NZ Rugby Football Union and the first official All Blacks More...

1900's

Test Match rugby arrives and the All Blacks 'Originals' stamp their mark on rugby in the UK More...