Bush Rugby Football Union


The Bush Rugby Football Union is a former provincial rugby union team from New Zealand, existing between 1890 and 1971.
The union was formed on 19 April 1890 at Pahiatua by the Pahiatua, Woodville and Eketahuna rugby football clubs. The original plan was to include Dannevirke and name the team "70 Mile Bush", but the Dannevirke club instead opted to remain part of Hawke's Bay
In 1971 Bush amalgamated with the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union to form Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union. In 1950 the Wairarapa and Bush unions put up a combined team to play the touring British Lions, losing 13–27

Ranfurly Shield

Bush had seven unsuccessful challenges for the Ranfurly Shield between 1927 and 1968:
Bush had only one All Black during their existence, Athol "Tonk" Mahoney who represented New Zealand in 26 matches between 1929 and 1936. Mahoney also played 36 matches for the Bush union between 1927 and 1939.