North Otago Rugby History

Founded in 1927, having acted as a sub-union to Otago since 1904, the North Otago Rugby Football Union has enjoyed reasonable growth over the years.

In 1930, North Otago played host to the All Blacks, playing a match against the national side (losing 6-34) before the All Blacks first test against the British and Irish Lions. North Otago made it’s first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield against Otago at Carisbrook on 27 August 1938, losing 0-12. North Otago has made 13 challenges for the Ranfurly Shield over the years, their closest result coming in 1974 with a 3-9 loss to South Canterbury.

The touring Australian side came to the Oamaru Showgrounds on 4 September 1962 to take on North Otago. A win for the visitors was to be expected, but the Australians were sent on their way when North Otago managed a shock 14-13 victory over the tourists.

The mid seventies saw the introduction of the National Provincial Championship, the new competition enabled for better matches and tougher opposition for North Otago. Throughout the early years, wins seemed to be very infrequent although during the nineties North Otago’s form began to improve. In 1997, North Otago made their first ever appearance in the NPC Third Division Final, unfortunatey going down to Marlborough 17-32 in Oamaru.

Fortunes continued to improve with the turn of the century. Consecutive finals appearances in 2000, 2001 and 2002 saw North Otago finally claim the NPC 3rd Division title in 2002, in their 75th jubilee year. North Otago were promoted to the 2nd Division of the NPC for 2003, reaching the semi finals in all three seasons before the NPC was restructured at the end of 2005.

The Heartland Championship was introduced for 2006, with North Otago continuing it’s record of making the playoffs in each consecutive season. Highlights in the Heartland Championship include winning the Meads Cup in 2007, 2010 and 2019 as well as the Lochore Cup in 2009 and 2016.

Ranfurly Shield History

The history of the Ranfurly Shield dates back to 1901. The prestigious Trophy bears the name of the 5th Earl of Ranfurly and Governor of New Zealand, who in 1901 presented a shield to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, to be used as a prize. NZRFU decided to initiate a challenge open to all Unions affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union. As it was originally designed as an Association Football trophy, keen observers of the coveted prize noted that in its centre soccer posts were depicted therefore alterations were made to add goal posts to create a rugby theme.

The first title holders of the Ranfurly Shield were Auckland as they had been unbeaten in 1902. As they were on tour in 1903, Auckland did not play any home games and thus did not defend the Shield. Wellington challenged and won in 1904 held on to the Shield until 1905 when Auckland challenged again and remained supreme until Taranaki were successful in 2013, stripping Auckland of the prized Trophy.

North Otago and the Ranfurly Shield

Since North Otago Rugby was founded, they have played in a total of 15 Ranfurly Shield matches but are yet to secure the magical win. >However, Oamaru’s Centennial Park / Whitestone Contracting Stadium has been the proud host of 5 Ranfurly Shield matches: in 1993, 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2019.

At a Glance: All North Otago Challenges

North Otago History Timeline

1927-1939

• 1927, the North Otago Rugby Football Union is established.
• July 23 1927, North Otago’s first match as a standalone union played in Oamaru vs South Canterbury resulting in a 6-all draw.
• June 18 1930, North Otago played the All Blacks at the Oamaru Showgrounds before the All Blacks first test against the British and Irish Lions, losing 6-34.
• North Otago’s H. Mason is selected for the New Zealand Maori side in both 1934 and 1936.
• 27 August 1938, North Otago made it’s first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield against Otago at Carisbrook, losing 0-12.

1940-49

• 1946, Hanan Shield presented by Mr A. E. S. Hanan of Timaru, to be played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury.
• 28 September 1946, North Otago’s second Ranfurly Shield challenge. Southland 15 North Otago 3 (halfback Viv Wright kicked a penalty).
• 20 September 1947, North Otago played against the NZ Maori side at Oamaru, resulting in a 12-12 draw.
• 27 September 1947, North Otago’s third Ranfurly Shield challenge. Otago 42 North Otago 3 (70 metre try to winger Mort Fountain).
• 1948, North Otago changed it’s colours from Old Gold to Black with narrow Gold and wide Maroon bands.

1950-59

• 1951, North Otago reverted to Old Gold uniforms.
• 1955, North Otago’s L.J. Adams is selected for the New Zealand Colts side.
• 21 August 1957, North Otago played against the NZ Maori side at Oamaru, losing 6-18.
• Aug 19 1959, North Otago played against a New Zealand Combined Services side in Oamaru, winning 12-3.

1960-69

• 4 September 1962, North Otago claimed a shock 14-13 win over Australia in Oamaru.
• 1965, North Otago’s Ian Smith is picked for the All Blacks in three test matches against South Africa.
• 1966, North Otago’s Ian Smith is picked for the All Blacks in three test matches against the British & Irish Lions.

1970-79

• 14 August 1971, North Otago’s Phil Gard made his All Black debut against the British & Irish Lions at Auckland.
• 21 August 1971, North Otago’s fourth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Canterbury 14 North Otago 0
• 1972, North Otago’s Phil Gard made six appearances for the All Blacks, all non-test matches.
• 1 September 1973, North Otago’s fifth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Marlborough 26 North Otago 9 (Paddy Ford kicked two penalties and Jeff Gardiner a 55-metre field goal)
• 31 August 1974, North Otago’s sixth Ranfurly Shield challenge. South Canterbury 9 North Otago 3 (Paddy Ford kicked a penalty)
• 1976 sees the launch of the National Provincial Championship.
• 1976, North Otago’s J.N. Borrie is selected for the New Zealand Colts side.
• 1979, North Otago’s P.R. Johnson is selected for the New Zealand Colts side.

1980-89

• 20 July 1983, North Otago’s seventh Ranfurly Shield challenge. Canterbury 88 North Otago 0
• North Otago’s R.B. Harvey is selected for the New Zealand Colts side in both 1983 and 1984.

1990-99

• 1 September 1993, North Otago’s eighth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Auckland 139 North Otago 5 (Brent McEwan, 1 try)
• 1997, North Otago made the final of the NPC Third Division for the first time, losing 17-32 to Marlborough in Oamaru.

2000-09

• 8 July 2000, North Otago’s ninth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Waikato 95 North Otago 17 (Dean Paterson 1 try, Simon Porter 4 penalties )
• 2000, North Otago made the final of the NPC Third Division for the second time, losing 21-35 to East Coast in Oamaru.
• 2001, North Otago made the final of the NPC Third Division for the third time, losing 16-20 to south Canterbury in Oamaru.
• 2002, North Otago won the NPC Third Division title, beating Horowhenua-Kapiti 43-19 in Oamaru.
• 2003, North Otago’s Pila Fifita was selected for the Tongan Rugby World Cup team.
• 2003, North Otago’s tenth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Canterbury 85 North Otago 24 (Campbell Mackenzie, Pila Fifita, Scott Mayhew and Mike Mavor scoring tries, Michael Ruthven and Tevita Asi kicking conversions)
• 2007, North Otago won the Heartland Championship Meads Cup title, beating Wanganui 25-8 in Oamaru.
• 2008, North Otago’s eleventh Ranfurly Shield challenge. Auckland 113 North Otago 3 (Nathan Cunningham penalty)
• 2009, North Otago won the Heartland Championship Lochore Cup, beating West Coast 21-13 in Greymouth.

2010-19

• 9 July 2010, North Otago’s twelveth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Southland 48 North Otago 3 (Ben Patston penalty).
• August 28 2010, North Otago set a new Heartland Championship record, and a new North Otago record with a 116-3 win over East Coast.
• 2010, North Otago won the Heartland Championship Meads Cup title for the second time, beating Wanganui 39-18.
• 2 July 2011, North Otago’s thirteenth Ranfurly Shield challenge. Canterbury 52 North Otago 8 (Rob Mafile’o try, Ben Patston penalty).
• 2016, North Otago won the Heartland Championship Lochore Cup for the second time, beating King Country 44-22 in Te Kuiti.
• 2019, North Otago won the Heartland Championship Meads Cup for the third time, beating Wanganui 33-19 in Oamaru.