The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union (WBRFU) is based in Masterton and represents the Wairarapa and Tararua regions. Playing in distinctive green and red jerseys at Trust House Memorial Park, the union was formed through a major 1971 merger.

Key Eras & Historical Milestones

1. Pre-Amalgamation Years (1886–1970)

• Wairarapa RFU (1886): A dominant force in early New Zealand rugby. Wairarapa famously held the Ranfurly Shield during three tenures (1927, 1928, and 1950). Its 1927 shield victory over Hawke’s Bay ended Hawke’s Bay’s historic 24-match tenure.

• Bush RFU (1890): Based in Pahiatua, Bush was one of New Zealand’s smallest rugby unions. While it never won the Ranfurly Shield across seven challenges, it produced Athol “Tonk” Mahoney, the union’s sole All Black.

• 1950 Tour Match: Before merging, a combined Wairarapa-Bush team teamed up to take on the touring British & Irish Lions, losing a close match 27–13.

2. The Amalgamation & NPC Expansion (1971–1990s)

• 1971 Union Merger: The two neighboring unions officially joined forces to create Wairarapa Bush.

• 1981 First Division Promotion: After starting in the Second Division when the National Provincial Championship (NPC) began in 1976, Wairarapa Bush won the North Island Second Division in 1981 to earn promotion to the elite Division 1, where they competed throughout much of the 1980s.

• Super Rugby Tie-in (1996): When rugby turned professional, Wairarapa Bush became one of eight constituent provincial unions forming the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise.

3. Modern Era & Heartland Championship (2006–Present)

• 2006 Inaugural Meads Cup: Following the 2006 national domestic restructuring into the semi-professional Heartland Championship, Wairarapa Bush won the inaugural Meads Cup by defeating Wanganui 16–14 in the final.

• 2010 Lochore Cup: Claimed the Heartland Championship’s secondary trophy by defeating Buller 15–9 in the final.

Key Figures & All Blacks

• Sir Brian Lochore: The region’s most iconic rugby figure. Captained the All Blacks (1966–1970) while representing Wairarapa, and later coached the All Blacks to victory in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup.
• Bert Cooke, Bull Irvine & Quentin Donald: Stars of the famous 1924 All Black “Invincibles” who powered Wairarapa to its 1920s Ranfurly Shield glory.
• Other Notable All Blacks: Keith Reid, Marty Berry, Robbie McLean, Brent Anderson, and former All Black winger Zac Guildford (who started his senior rugby career in the region).

Honours Summary

• Meads Cup (Heartland Championship): 1 Title (2006)
• Lochore Cup (Heartland Championship): 1 Title (2010)
• NPC Division 2 (North Island): 1 Title (1981)
• NPC Division 3: 1 Title (2005)
• Ranfurly Shield: Held 3 times by Wairarapa prior to the 1971 merger