Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union

Infobox_esl_club | clubname = Poverty Bay


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

The Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, which governs rugby union within the Gisborne region surrounding Poverty Bay in New Zealand, was formed in 1890.

The Poverty Bay team play from Rugby Park, Gisborne and are the current holders of the Lochore Cup, the secondary cup competition within the Heartland Championship, having also won the inaugural season in 2006.

Championships

Poverty Bay won the 3rd division of New Zealand's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship, in 1987 and 2004, and also lifted the first Lochore Cup in 2006 and 2007.

Heartland Championship placings

Ranfurly Shield

Poverty Bay have never held the Ranfurly Shield. The current holders, Auckland Rugby Football Union, have announced that their first defence of the "Log of Wood" after taking it from Canterbury in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup will be on 15 July 2008 against Poverty Bay. Auckland have chosen to travel to Poverty Bay, even though the competition rules do not require them to defend the Shield away. [cite news|url=http://allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=showRanfurlyNews&newsArticle=7328 |title=Auckland accepts two Ranfurly Shield challenges |publisher=New Zealand Rugby Football Union |date=2007-12-06 |accessdate=2008-01-15]

Poverty Bay in Super Rugby

Poverty Bay along with Wellington, Taranaki, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti make up the Hurricanes Super 14 franchise.

All Blacks

They have had 6 players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in the Poverty Bay.

* John Collins
* Brian Fitzpatrick
* Ian Kirkpatrick
* Laurie Knight
* Mike Parkinson
* Richard White

Clubs

East Coast Rugby Football Union is made up of 12 clubs:
* GMC Pirates
* Horouta
* Horouta Sports Club
* HSOB
* Ngatapa
* OBM
* Pirates Sports Club
* Rangatira Sports Club
* Tahora
* Waikoha
* Whatatutu
* Young Maori Party

References

External links

* [http://www.nzrugbynet.com/nzrfu/Provincial%20Unions/Poverty%20bAY%20RFU/Home.htm/ Official Site]