King Country Rugby Football Union

Infobox_esl_club | clubname = King Country Rams


fullname = "King Country Rugby Football Union"
emblem = Ram
colours = Gold and Maroon
founded = 1922
sport = Rugby union
league = Heartland Championship
ground = Owen Delany Park, Taupo;
Rugby Park, Te Kuiti;
Taumarunui Domain, Taumarunui
web = [http://www.kingcountryrugby.co.nz/ King Country RFU]

The King Country Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located in the central North Island of New Zealand. It was formed in 1922 when the South Auckland Rugby Union was split into three (the other two Unions formed were Waikato and Thames Valley).

The King Country team play from Owen Delany Park, Taupo, Rugby Park and Taumarunui Domain, Taumarunui and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 6th qualifiers for the Championship as they finished 3rd in the 3rd division. King Country are like many other heartland unions have struggled since the start of professional era. In 1996, King Country were in the first division of the NPC and in just 6 years were in the third division. In 2003, King Country were struggling to get 50 people to attend their NPC home games Fact|date=February 2007.

Championships

King Country won the 2nd division in 1991

Heartland Championship placings

Ranfurly Shield

King Country have never held the Ranfurly Shield.

King Country in Super Rugby

King Country along with Waikato, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty and Thames Valley make up the Chiefs Super 14 franchise.

All Blacks

There have had 8 players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in the King Country. The most famous King Country All Black is All Black of the century, Colin Meads.

* Kevin Boroevich
* R.F Bryers
* Phil Coffin
* J.K McLean
* Colin Meads
* Stanley Meads
* W.J Phillips
* G.J Whiting

Additionally, former England captain Martin Johnson played for King Country, during his early career.

Clubs

King Country Rugby Football Union is made up of 9 clubs:
* Bush United
* Kio Kio United
* Mangakino United
* Pio Pio
* Taumaruni Sports
* Taupo Sports
* Taupo United
* Turangi Sports
* Waitete

References

External links

* [http://www.kingcountryrugby.co.nz/ Official site]
* [http://www.taumarunuieels.co.nz Taumarunui Rugby and Sports Reunion Website]