RUGBY 2003

HISTORY

The first game of rugby played in New Zealand took place before the New Zealand Rugby Football Union was formed.

Credit for the introduction of rugby to New Zealand goes to Charles John Monro. Charles Monro was born at Waimea East and was sent to Christs College in England. On his return to Nelson he suggested that the local football club try out the new rugby rules. A visit to Wellington by Monro later in 1870 resulted in a game being arranged between Nelson and Wellington. This match was played on 12th September and was won by Nelson by two goals to one.

In 1871 rugby had spread to Wanganui. Auckland adopted rugby in 1873 while Hamilton followed in  1874. By 1875 the game had spread everywhere and a team representing Auckland went on a tour down the whole of New Zealand and lost to Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson and Taranaki.

AND that's when NZ rugby took off...

© H H&S 2003