The Bulls Rugby Club (also known as the Bulls Rugby and Sports Club) is located in the small rural town of Bulls, in the Rangitikei/Manawatu district. Established in 1876, it is one of the oldest and most historic rugby clubs in the entire country.
Despite the town’s small population, the club has maintained an incredibly resilient and proud footprint in New Zealand grassroots rugby for 150 years.
Foundation & Early Identity (1876–1888)
1876 Roots: The club was originally established under the name Rangitikei Rugby Football Club. In these pioneering days of New Zealand rugby, the squad was drawn from two neighboring rural settlements: Bulls and Sandown (which later became Sanson).
The Split & Renaming: In 1888, players from Sanson broke away to form their own dedicated club (Sanson RFC, joining the Manawatu union). Following this split, the original entity reorganized and officially renamed itself Bulls United, eventually settling on simply the Bulls Rugby Football Club.
The Great Triumphs (1937 & 1965)
Because of its geographical positioning on the border of regional boundaries, Bulls historically crossed over to play in both the Wanganui and Manawatu club structures, leading to legendary seasons where they completely swept both districts.
The 1937 Invincibles: The 1937 Bulls senior team is widely regarded as one of the greatest club sides in provincial history. They completely dominated the region, simultaneously winning both the Wanganui Championship and the Rangitikei Championship. To top it off, they won the coveted Licensed Victuallers Cup, which was contested to decide ultimate senior club supremacy between the Manawatu and Wanganui champions.
The 1965 Repeat: Nearly 30 years later, a legendary 1965 Bulls side managed to replicate the exact same historic feat, sweeping the local titles and cementing the club’s reputation as a giant-killer among rural clubs.
The Modern Era & Ground
Today, the club is a cornerstone of the Manawatu Rugby Union, playing out of the Bulls Domain.
The Bulls Domain Hub: The ground is highly respected across the lower North Island and frequently hosts major regional youth tournaments, such as the prestigious Hurricanes Heartland Under-20 Series.
Community Footprint: The club remains the beating heart of the tight-knit Bulls community, running a highly successful senior squad alongside a massive junior rugby program (fielding uniquely named junior sides like the Longhorn Bulls, Highland Bulls, Fresian Bulls, and Shorthorn Bulls).
