Thames Valley Rugby Football Union

""'Rugby team
teamname = Thames Valley Rugby Football Union
nickname = Swamp Foxes

|
founded = 1921
ground = Te Aroha Domain and
Paeroa Domain
capacity =
coach = flagicon|NZL Noel Pickrang
league = Heartland Championship
season = 2006
position = Lochore Cup semifinalists

The Thames Valley Rugby Football Union was formed in 1921 when it broke away from the Auckland Rugby Football Union.

The Thames Valley team play from Te Aroha Domain and Paeroa Domain, Paeroa and in the 2006 season are in Pool B of the Heartland Championship. They are seeded 2nd qualifiers for the Championship as they finished 6th in the 2nd division.

Championships

Thames Valley won the 3rd division in 1988, 1990 and 1995.

Heartland Championship placings

Ranfurly Shield

Thames Valley have never held the Ranfurly Shield. They have challenged for the shield unsuccessfully on 13 occasions; their most recent challenge was a 69–0 loss to North Harbour in 2007.cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/event/story.cfm?c_id=298&objectid=10448902 |title=Rugby: Swamp Foxes frustrate fast-starting Harbour |first=Linsday |last=Knight |publisher="The New Zealand Herald" |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-08]

Thames Valley in Super Rugby

Thames Valley along with Waikato, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty and King Country make up the Chiefs Super 14 franchise. Albeit, they were initially part of the Blues

All Blacks

Four players have been selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in the Thames Valley:
* K. Robinson
* K.E Barry
* R.J O'Dea
* Carl Hoeft

Clubs

Thames Valley Rugby Football Union is made up of 13 clubs:
* College Old Boys
* Coromandel
* Hauraki North
* Mercury Bay
* Ngatea
* Paeroa Old Boys
* Paeroa West
* Tairua
* Te Aroha
* Thames Rugby and Sports Club
* Waihi Athletic
* Waihou
* Whangamata

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.nzrugbynet.com/nzrfu/Provincial+Unions/Thames+Valley+RFU/Home.htm/ Official Site]