Today in History

1892 Rugby Union founded

As the popularity of rugby spread, it was considered necessary to standardise the running of the game in this country. Despite some opposition, the NZ Rugby Football Union was created at a meeting held in Wellington on 16 April 1892.

During the 1880s there had been many small disputes about fixtures, scoring values, and the interpretation of the laws of the game. It was believed that these could be overcome if a supreme authority along the lines of the English Rugby Football Union could be formed to give guidance and pass judgment on vital matters. Visiting teams had also complained of having to deal with local unions separately instead of with an overall governing body.

The idea of a New Zealand union was not a new one, but it was not until 1891 that it gained any real momentum. E. D. Hoben, the secretary of the Hawke's Bay union, toured the country putting his idea of a national body before the various local unions. He received sufficient support to convene a meeting in Wellington in November, when a constitution was drafted for examination by the unions. Delegates representing the Wellington, Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Otago, Canterbury, Wairarapa, and Taranaki unions met again in Wellington on 16 April 1892. The South Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson, Bush and Poverty Bay unions were unable to attend but offered their support.

But not all of New Zealand's local unions agreed, with the powerful Otago and Canterbury delegates withdrawing. Unity was achieved by 1895, however, when the Canterbury, Otago, and Southland unions finally affiliated with the national organisation.