East Coast Rugby Football Union


The East Coast Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located on the East Coast of the North Island, based in Ruatoria. It is the smallest Union in New Zealand in the sense of player numbers and population base. Due to the high number of players from the Ngati Porou iwi, the team is often referred to as Ngati Porou East Coast.
The Ngati Porou East Coast team home ground is Whakarua Park, Ruatoria. Ngati Porou East Coast were recently holders of the Meads Cup, defeating Wanganui 29-27 at Whakarua Park on 27 October 2012.

History

The East Coast Rugby Football Union was formed in 1922 when they split from the Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union.

Ranfurly Shield

East Coast has challenged for the Ranfurly Shield seven times losing heavily on each occasion.

Matches

East Coast in Super Rugby

East Coast along with Wellington, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti make up the Hurricanes Super Rugby region.

Reputation

The team is renowned for losing 42 consecutive games.

All Blacks

They have had 3 players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in the East Coast.
East Coast Rugby Football Union is made up of 9 clubs:
East Coast won the NPC 3rd Division twice, first in 1999 defeating Poverty Bay 18-15 in the final at Ruatoria and secondly and more impressively, defeating North Otago in front of their home crowd at Oamaru in a come-from-behind 25-21 victory to record back to back NPC 3rd Division Championships.

1999 NPC 3rd Division