West Coast Rugby Football Union

Infobox_esl_club | clubname = West Coast


fullname = "West Coast Rugby Football Union"
emblem = Shield
colours = Red and White
founded = 1890
sport = Rugby union
league = Heartland Championship
ground = Rugby Park
web = [http://www.nzrugbynet.com/nzrfu/Provincial%20Unions/West%20Coast%20RFU/Home.htm]

The West Coast Rugby Football Union, formed in 1890, is the official governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the West Coast region of New Zealand and is affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union. The team is based in Greymouth and plays home matches at Rugby Park.

Representative Rugby

The West Coast team play from Rugby Park, Greymouth and in the 2006 season are in Pool A of the Heartland Championship. They are bottom qualifiers for the Championship as they finished last in the 3rd division in 2005.

West Coast in Super Rugby

West Coast along with Canterbury, Tasman, Buller, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury make up the Crusaders Super 14 franchise.

Clubs

West Coast Rugby Football Union is made up of 8 clubs:
* Blaketown
* Grey Valley
* Kiwi
* Kokatahi
* Marist
* South Westlands
* Star-United
* Wests

All Blacks

There have only been 7 players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in the West Coast.

* H.J Atkinson
* H Butland
* J Corbett
* D.F.E Freitas
* G.D.M Gilbert
* R.R King
* J Steel

Championships

West Coast has never won a Provincial Championship

Heartland Championship placings

In 2007 they finshed 4th in the Heartland Championship. West Coast made the semi-finals but lost.

Ranfurly Shield

West Coast have never held the Ranfurly Shield.West Coasts Ranfurly Shield challenges:
*27-8-1932 Canterbury 5 West Coast 3 (L.T.Martyn try)
*2-9-1933 Canterbury 23 West Coast
*7-9-1935 Canterbury 16 West Coast 11 (E.Pfahlert, R.R.King tries, L.T.Martyn two penalties, one conversion)
*26-9-1936 Otago 30 West Coast 0
*20-9-1952 Waikato 20 West Coast 6 (A.J.Lindbom two penalties)
*11-9-1954 Canterbury 8 West Coast 0
*24-9-1955 Canterbury 20 West Coast 11 (F.W.Gugich, R.N.Inkster tries, A.A.McNabb one panalty, one conversion)
*25-8-1962 Auckland 52 West Coast 6 (T.N.McAra drop goal, J.M.Earthorne one penalty)
*16-9-1972 Canterbury 47 West Coast 3 (R.Nelson one penalty)
*27-7-1974 Marlborough 18 West Coast 0
*29-7-1978 Manawatu 51 West Coast 10 (C.R.Skates try, A.F.Kissick two penalties)
*25-8-1984 Canterbury 68 West Coast 3 (G.Cook drop goal)
*4-7-2000 Waikato 99 West Coast 3 (M.Foster one penaly)

References

*The Shield by Lindsay Knight

External links

* [http://www.nzrugbynet.com/nzrfu/Provincial%20Unions/West%20Coast%20RFU/Home.htm/ Official Site]
* [http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/westcoastrugbyfootballunion/ West Coast Rugby Football Union at pitchero.com]