Sub-Union History

Sub-Union Rugby matches in New Zealand are among the most fiercely contested of all matches played. To proudly say that you have taken part in a sub-union game is like having a test cap.

Sub-Unions are areas within a Provincial Union that join for matches against other sub-unions or play each other within that sub-union for local supremacy. It is a step up from neighbouring rivalry.

The oldest sub-union appears to be MacKenzie RSU in the Otago province. The most prolific seems to be within the Canterbury province, which includes Canterbury Country, North Canterbury. Ellesmere, Hurunui and Peninsula. Most sub-unions have produced jubilee books. The listings can be sorted by Sub-Union, Province or Year Published.

Two notable books that portray the intensity of sub-union Rugby are The White Horse Cup 1926 – 2015 and Battered Silverware One Hundred Years of Peace Cup Rugby 1920 – 2020. Details of these books can be found in the Reference section of the site.

The White Horse Cup is contested between clubs from the Maniototo and Vincent sub-unions, now combined as the Central Otago sub-union. The White Horse Cup is referred to as the Ranfurly Shield of Central Otago Rugby.

The Peace Cup is contested between sub-unions from the North Island between Taupo and Auckland. Previous winners include Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Morrinsville, Rotorua/Central Bay of Plenty, Thames, South Waikato, Matamata, Maniopoto, Tauranga, Pukekohe, Hauraki Plains, Paeroa, Western Bay of Plenty, Otorohanga, Waihi, Cambridge, and Te Puke.

Sub-Union History

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WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT BY BLOOM DIGITAL

WEBSITE DESIGN BY LITTLE GEM DESIGN