Hawke's Bay Rugby Union

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (HBRU) is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.

Representative rugby

The representative team of the HBRFU is the Hawke's Bay Magpies. The team jersey are white with black hoops. The Magpies' home ground is McLean Park in Napier.

Hawke's Bay were one of the strongest teams in the second division of the former NPC for many years prior to the formation of the Air New Zealand Cup, winning the second division title several times but never being able to make it back in to the first division.

History

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union was founded in 1884. This makes it the oldest Provincial Rugby Union outside the four main centres. Hawke's Bay have a very good Ranfurly Shield record with 24 defenses from 1922 to 1927, 21 successful defenses between 1966 and 1969 as well as 2 defenses in 1934. Hawke's Bays glory days came long before the NPC was founded. As such Hawke's Bay does not have a very flattering record in either that competition or the Air New Zealand Cup. The best position the have managed in either is 3rd. Hawke's Bay dominated the second division of the NPC before the Air New Zealand Cup was set up. In 1997 Hawke's Bay joined with Manuwatu to become the Central Vikings and subsequently won the 1998 second division NPC final against Bay of Plenty at McLean Park, Napier. Both Unions have since gone their separate ways, and are both...
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