The Rangitikei Rugby Sub Union is deeply intertwined with the early development of rugby in the lower North Island of New Zealand, particularly within the orbit of the Whanganui Rugby Union (formerly Wanganui) and, at times, the Manawatu Rugby Union.
Here’s a look at its history:
Early Rugby in Rangitikei:
• Rugby was played in the Rangitikei region very early in New Zealand’s rugby history. For instance, the Bulls Rugby Club was established in 1876 under the name Rangitikei RFC, making it one of New Zealand’s oldest clubs. It initially comprised players from Bulls and Sandon (Sanson).
• In 1878, a “Rangitikei combined clubs” XV played Feilding FC, a match widely regarded as the first ever rugby match played in the Manawatu.
• The Marton Athletic Rugby Club was established in 1885 in the heart of Rangitikei and competes within the Whanganui Union.
Formation and Affiliation:
• The concept of sub-unions developed as rugby grew to help administer the game at a local level within larger provincial unions.
• While specific founding dates for the Rangitikei Sub-Union are not always explicitly stated as a single event, it appears to have been an active entity from the very early 1900s. A team called “Huia football team” won the Rangitikei rugby sub-union challenge shield in 1900-1901.
• In 1901, the Feilding Unionist Club (from the Manawatu area) joined and played in the Rangitikei sub-union, indicating its existence and activity around that time.
• The Rangitikei Sub-Union has historically been most closely associated with and a part of the Wanganui Rugby Union (now Whanganui). Its clubs, such as Marton, Bulls, Hunterville, Utiku, and Taihape (before the Taihape amalgamation to Ruapehu, etc.), have typically competed under the Whanganui banner.
Evolution and Challenges:
• Like many rural sub-unions, the Rangitikei Sub-Union has faced challenges, particularly in recent decades, due to declining player numbers and changing demographics.
• In the past, the Rangitikei sub-union was a strong feeder for the Whanganui representative team, with a high percentage of Whanganui Heartland side players coming from Rangitikei clubs.
• Recent Efforts to Revitalize: In 2025, there was a significant effort to resurrect the Rangitikei sub-union rugby match after a 15-year hiatus. This involved a game between Northern Rangitikei (players from Utiku, Ruapehu, and Taihape) and Southern Rangitikei (likely drawing from clubs like Marton, Bulls, and Hunterville). This initiative aims to develop younger players and revive the grassroots rugby tradition in the area, acknowledging that the sub-union had “been swept under the carpet for a few years.” This initiative highlights the desire to preserve the rich history and future of Rangitikei rugby.
The Rangitikei Sub-Union represents a vital historical and ongoing component of rugby in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, serving as a key local administrative and competitive structure for its constituent clubs.
