| Nickname | Rams | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1922; 103 years ago (1922) | |
| Region | King Country, includingTaupō District ofManawatū-Whanganui,Hawke's Bay,Waikato andBay of Plenty | |
| Ground(s) | Rugby Park,Te Kūiti Owen Delany Park,Taupō Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui | |
| Chairman | Nick Hume | |
| Coach | Aarin Dunster | |
| Captain | Liam Rowlands | |
| League | Heartland Championship | |
| 2024 | 5th (Lochore Cup champions) | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
TheKing Country Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in theNew Zealand Rugby Union. It is located in the centralNorth Island ofNew Zealand in an area known as theKing Country. It was formed in 1922 when theSouth Auckland Rugby Union was split into three (the other two Unions formed wereWaikato andThames Valley).
The originalKing Country Rugby Union was formed in 1905 by the Manunui, Matapuna,Oio and Kakahi rugby clubs. In 1907, the newly formedTaumarunui rugby club replaced Oio.
The currentKing Country Rugby Football Union was formed in 1922, by the amalgamation of the firstKing Country Rugby Union (which was renamed as theTaumarunui Sub-union in 1922) along with theRuapehu Sub-union inOhakune (founded 1908),Maniapoto Sub-union inTe Kūiti (1907) andŌhura Sub-union (1920). These were joined byŌtorohanga Sub-union in 1927,Kawhia in 1926 (founded 1920) andKaitieke in 1933 with theTaupō Sub-union transferring from theHawkes Bay Rugby Union in 1987. TheRuapehu Sub-union returned to its original parent union theWanganui Rugby Union in 1970.
This was the second attempt to establish aRugby Union in the middle of the North Island, as in 1920 the Rangatiki,Taihape,Ruapehu sub-unions (all affiliated to theWanganui Rugby Union), and the King Country Union (affiliated to SouthAuckland) had applied for affiliation as the Main Trunk Union. However, this was declined after theWanganui Rugby Union objected to the loss of their country players.
In those early yearsKing Country representative games were held inTe Kūiti,Taumarunui andRaetihi orOhakune.Ōtorohanga was first used for a representative game in 1939 with representative games also being hosted inTokaanu (1966) andTūrangi (1967).In later yearsKing Country played home games atPiopio,Maihiihi, andWaitomo.
King Country played in lightblue andgreen until 1949 when it switched to maroon andgold hoops. In 1980, a maroon jersey with gold collar and cuffs was adopted. The current strip has been used since 1994.
King Country has made 22 challenges for theRanfurly Shield over the years without success but having come close at times, going down toTaranaki in a hard fought game 11–15 in 1958. In 1969 they came even closer when good matesColin Meads andKel Tremain were the respective captains,King Country storming back from 6–19 at half time in a torrid second half before going down 16–19.
A well known and amusing challenge in 1988 againstAuckland at Rugby Park inTe Kūiti when “Boris the Boar” mysteriously got onto the field and camped in theAuckland 22 for much of the second half.
With the 2020 Heartland Championship cancelled due to Covid-19, the Rams played three First-Class Fixtures against some of their traditional Heartland Rivals. King Country lost their first match againstWairarapa-Bush in the inaugural Meads-Lochore Scroll Fixture (18–22). They won their second fixture versusEast Coast (34–22) and in their final game they became holders of the Sir Colin Meads Memorial log beatingWhanganui 16–11 in Taumarunui. This game was also Carl Carmichaels 100th first-class game.
King Country Rugby Football Union is made up of 11 clubs.
King Country clubs that are now defunct or in recess include the following.
| Kawhia | Otorohanga (Northern King Country) | Maniapoto | Ohura | Taumarunui | Kaitieke | Tongariro | Taupō |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhia | Otewa | Hangatiki | Ohura Valley | Hikurangi | Kaitieke | Turangi | Wairakei Marist |
| Oparau | Honikiwi | Oparure | Matiere | Ongarue | Owhango | Pihanga | Mangakino |
| Makomako | Otorohanga Huia | Te Kūiti | Tokirima | Taumarunui Athletic | Raurimu | Rotoaira | Tihoi |
| Taharoa | Olympians | Te Kuiti Railways | Niho Niho | Manunui | Returuke | Rangipo | Taupo Athletic |
| Awaroa | Tigers | Huia | Ohura Kia-Toa | Southern United | Huimai | Waikune | Tauhara |
| Kinohaku | Waitomo Valley | Aria-Mokauiti | Ohura Athletic | Tuhua | United | Downers | Mokai |
| Marokopa | Otorohanga Power Board | Mangaotaki | Ohura | Okahukura | Example | Mountaineers | Oruanui |
| Coast | Otorohanga Old Boys | Nehenehenui | North Ohura | Oio (Kakihi) | Tokaanu | College Old Boys | |
| Karioi | Rangitoto | Mahoenui | Matapuna | Rotokawa | |||
| Moerangi | Waitanguru | Ngati Haua | Waitahanui | ||||
| Te Rauamoa | Mangapehi | Waituhi | |||||
| Te Waitere | Hauaroa | ||||||
| Hauturu | Forresters |
As King Country is a geographically large union with a relatively low population there are only a few secondary schools within the region so it doesn't have a consolidated Secondary Schools competition. Schools play their rugby in other provinces such asWaikato andBay of Plenty Rugby Union that can offer better opportunities. Players from these schools are still eligible for the King Country Secondary Schools and U19 Rugby Representative teams.
Together these schools are able to challenge for the Sam Te Kaha Shield, which is a challenge shield between all King Country Secondary Schools.
The King Country team play home matches atOwen Delany Park,Taupō, Rugby Park,Te Kūiti and Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui.
In 1996, King Country were in the first division of the NPC but in subsequent years struggled and in just 6 years were in the third division.
| Heartland Championship Results[1][2][3][4] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Place | Playoffs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qual | SF | F | |||||||||||
| 2006 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 77 | 92 | −15 | 2 | 6 | 6th | Lochore Cup | Won 17–15 againstThames Valley | Lost 34–46 toPoverty Bay |
| 2007 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 88 | 66 | +22 | 2 | 14 | 3rd | No | — | |
| 2008 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 119 | 96 | +23 | 2 | 14 | 3rd | No | — | |
| 2009 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 100 | 111 | −11 | 2 | 10 | 5th | Lochore Cup | Lost 27–31 toNorth Otago | — |
| 2010 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 76 | 119 | −43 | 2 | 6 | 5th | No | — | |
| 2011 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 150 | 281 | −131 | 1 | 5 | 11th | No | — | |
| 2012 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 178 | 230 | −52 | 5 | 9 | 11th | No | — | |
| 2013 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 163 | 211 | −48 | 3 | 15 | 9th | No | — | |
| 2014 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 196 | 176 | +20 | 5 | 25 | 5th | Lochore Cup | Lost 6–37 toWanganui | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 245 | 192 | +53 | 3 | 21 | 7th | Lochore Cup | Won 20–6 againstBuller | Won 47–34 against North Otago |
| 2016 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 236 | 170 | −66 | 5 | 25 | 6th | Lochore Cup | Won 48-26 againstPoverty Bay | Lost 22-44 toNorth Otago |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 206 | 323 | −117 | 8 | 12 | 10th | No | — | |
| 2018 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 303 | 229 | +72 | 7 | 31 | 3rd | Meads Cup | Lost 21-58 toSouth Canterbury | — |
| 2019 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 172 | 230 | −58 | 5 | 13 | 10th | No | — | |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 113 | 367 | −254 | 1 | 1 | 12th | No | — | |
| 2022 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 218 | 201 | +17 | 5 | 25 | 4th | Meads Cup | Lost 9-76 toSouth Canterbury | — |
| 2023 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 175 | 248 | −73 | 4 | 16 | 10th | No | — | |
| 2024 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 276 | 179 | +97 | 8 | 28 | 5th | Lochore Cup | Won 34-31 againstNgati Porou East Coast | Won 46-44 against West Coast |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 259 | 234 | +25 | 5 | 15 | 9th | No | — | |
There was no Heartland Championship in 2020 due to Covid 19 restrictions.
King Country have never held theRanfurly Shield. The union has challenged unsuccessfully for the Shield 22 times.
| Year | Holder | Score | Challenger | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | Hawke's Bay | 42–8 | King Country | Napier |
| 1933 | Canterbury | 36–0 | King Country | Christchurch |
| 1952 | Waikato | 18–8 | King Country | Hamilton |
| 1958 | Taranaki | 15–11 | King Country | New Plymouth |
| 1961 | Auckland | 17–3 | King Country | Auckland |
| 1964 | Taranaki | 21–0 | King Country | New Plymouth |
| 1966 | Auckland | 14–6 | King Country | Auckland |
| 1969 | Hawke's Bay | 19–16 | King Country | Napier |
| 1971 | North Auckland | 16–6 | King Country | Whangārei |
| 1979 | North Auckland | 21–6 | King Country | Whangārei |
| 1980 | Auckland | 29–3 | King Country | Auckland |
| 1981 | Waikato | 22–9 | King Country | Hamilton |
| 1985 | Canterbury | 33–0 | King Country | Christchurch |
| 1988 | Auckland | 28–0 | King Country | Te Kūiti |
| 1990 | Auckland | 58–3 | King Country | Auckland |
| 1992 | Auckland | 42–15 | King Country | Taupō |
| 1994 | Waikato | 45–10 | King Country | Hamilton |
| 1998 | Waikato | 76–0 | King Country | Hamilton |
| 2012 | Taranaki | 67–16 | King Country | Inglewood |
| 2016 | Waikato | 55–0 | King Country | Matamata |
| 2024 | Hawke's Bay | 57–7 | King Country | Hastings |
| 2025 | Taranaki | 78–7 | King Country | New Plymouth |
King Country Rugby Union has a long history of playing against visiting international teams and playing them competitively. For a number of these games, King Country paired up with neighbouring unions.
| Year | Date | Home Team | Opposition | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 16 September 1925 | Waikato/King Country | New South Wales | 16–19 | Taumarunui |
| 1930 | 2 August 1930 | Waikato/Thames Valley/King Country | British Isles | 16–40 | Hamilton |
| 1931 | 23 September 1931 | Waikato/King Country | Australia | 10–30 | Hamilton |
| 1937 | 28 August 1937 | Waikato/Thames Valley/King Country | South Africa | 3–6 | Rugby Park,Hamilton |
| 1939 | 30 August 1939 | King Country | Fiji | 9–14 | Taumarunui |
| 1946 | 24 August 1946 | Taranaki/King Country | Australia | 8–9 | Pukekura Park,New Plymouth |
| 1949 | 17 August 1949 | King Country | Australia | 6–24 | Taumarunui |
| 1950 | 15 July 1950 | Waikato/Thames Valley/King Country | British Isles | 0–30 | Rugby Park,Hamilton |
| 1952 | 20 August 1952 | King Country | Australia | 6–16 | Island Reserve,Ōtorohanga |
| 1954 | 17 July 1954 | King Country | NSW Country | 9–9 | Island Reserve,Ōtorohanga |
| 1955 | 14 September 1955 | Wanganui/King Country | Australia | 8–38 | Cooks Gardens,Whanganui |
| 1956 | 8 August 1956 | Wanganui/King Country | South Africa | 16–36 | Spriggens Park,Whanganui |
| 1957 | 31 July 1957 | King Country | Fiji | 26–14 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1959 | 19 August 1959 | King Country/Counties | British Lions | 5–25 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1963 | 27 April 1963 | King Country | Queensland Rugby Union | 24–6 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1965 | 4 August 1965 | Wanganui/King Country | South Africa | 19–24 | Cooks Gardens,Whanganui |
| 1966 | 10 August 1966 | Wanganui/King Country | British Lions | 12–6 | Cooks Gardens,Whanganui |
| 1968 | 31 July 1968 | King Country | France | 9–23 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1970 | 24 June 1970 | King Country | New South Wales | 13–15 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1971 | 26 May 1971 | Wanganui/King Country | British Lions | 9–22 | Spriggens Park,Whanganui |
| 1972 | 23 August 1972 | King Country | Australia | 6–13 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1974 | 14 August 1974 | King Country | Fiji | 3–38 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1975 | 23 July 1975 | King Country | Tonga | 13–18 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1977 | 1 June 1977 | Wanganui/King Country | British Lions | 9–60 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1979 | 14 April 1979 | King Country | Victoria Rugby Union | 12–18 | Island Reserve,Ōtorohanga |
| 1981 | 27 May 1981 | King Country | Scotland | 13–39 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1983 | 20 August 1983 | King Country | Australia U21 | – | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1985 | 1 May 1985 | King Country | Queensland Rugby Union | 7–18 | Rugby Park,Te Kūiti |
| 1989 | 5 July 1989 | King Country | Argentina | 4–9 | Owen Delany Park,Taupō |
| 1991 | 1 May 1991 | King Country | Western Samoa | 12–21 | Rugby Park,Te Kūiti |
| 1991 | 29 May 1991 | King Country | Romania | 6–28 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1991 | 18 June 1991 | King Country | Soviet Union | 15–22 | Rugby Park,Te Kūiti |
| 1992 | 13 May 1992 | King Country | Australian Capital Territories | 18–12 | Island Reserve,Ōtorohanga |
| 1992 | 1 July 1992 | King Country | Tonga | 30–8 | Taumarunui Domain,Taumarunui |
| 1993 | 24 July 1993 | King Country | Manu Samoa | 21–57 | Rugby Park,Te Kūiti |
| 1994 | 23 June 1994 | King Country | South Africa | 10–46 | Owen Delany Park,Taupō |
| 1996 | 11 June 1996 | King Country | Manu Samoa | 20–27 | Rugby Park,Te Kūiti |
| 1997 | 6 June 1997 | King Country | Ireland A | 32–26 | Owen Delany Park,Taupō |
| 1997 | 13 June 1997 | King Country | Cook Islands | – | Owen Delany Park,Taupō |
| Statistic | Value | Player | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most appearances | 146 | Paul Mitchell | 1988–2001 |
| Most points | 925 | Hutana Coffin | 1983–1995 |
| Most tries | 46 | Murray Kidd | 1974–1984 |
| Most conversions | 148 | Hutana Coffin | 1983–1995 |
| Most penalty goals | 178 | Hutana Coffin | 1983–1995 |
| Most dropped goals | 27 | Ian Ingham | 1959–1970 |
| Most points in a season | 230 | Hutana Coffin | 1992 |
| Most tries in a season | 11 | Simon Bradley | 1992 |
| Most conversions in a season | 40 | Hutana Coffin | 1992 |
| Most penalty goals in a season | 45 | Hutana Coffin | 1992 |
| Most dropped goals in a season | 8 | Ian Ingham | 1966 |
| Most points in a match | 33 | Hutana Coffin | 1992 |
| Most tries in a match | 4 | Jason Wells | 1992 |
| Most conversions in a match | 10 | Hutana Coffin | 1992 |
| Most penalty goals in a match | 7 | Lee Peina | 2000 |
| Rank | Player | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hutana Coffin | 137 | 925 |
| 2 | Michael Blank | 60 | 402 |
| 3 | Tony Gordon (rugby) | 44 | 302 |
| 4 | Lee Peina | 69 | 297 |
| 5 | Patrick Hedley | 19 | 265 |
| 6 | Ian Ingham | 119 | 250 |
| 7 | Zayn Tipping | 71 | 248 |
| Rank | Player | Games | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murray Kidd | 108 | 46 |
| 2 | Dean Church | 73 | 41 |
| 3 | Dion Mathews | 77 | 39 |
| 4 | Dave Flavell | 81 | 34 |
| Simon Bradley | 99 | 34 | |
| 6 | Colin Meads | 139 | 32 |
| 7 | Paul Mitchell | 146 | 27 |
| 8 | Glynn Meads | 113 | 24 |
| 9 | Cliff Crossman | 38 | 23 |
| 10 | Chris Wills | 104 | 22 |
| Paul Olsen | 43 | 22 |
There have been eight players selected for theNew Zealand national team (the All Blacks) while playing for King Country. The most famous King Country All Black is All Black of the CenturyColin Meads.
Additionally, formerEngland captain and coachMartin Johnson played for King Country, during his early career. Former Wales hookerGarin Jenkins also spent a spell playing for the province in his younger years.
King Country along withWaikato,Counties Manukau,East Coast,Bay of Plenty,Thames Valley andTaranaki make up theChiefs region.
