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The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national team, although they can pick uncapped players who are eligible for any of the four unions. The team tours every four years, with these rotating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in order. The most recent test series, the 2021 series against South Africa, was won 2–1 by South Africa.
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for their international success, the All Blacks have often been regarded as one of the most successful sports teams in history.
The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, is an annual round-robin rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played in 1976, it is the second highest level of competition in New Zealand alongside the Ranfurly Shield. It is organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and since 2021, it has been known as the Bunnings NPC after its headline sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Farah Palmer Cup.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it became an affiliate to the International Rugby Football Board, now known as World Rugby, the governing body of rugby union for the world. It dropped the word "Football" from its name in 2006. The brand name New Zealand Rugby was adopted in 2013. Officially, it is an incorporated society with the name New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated.
The Wales national rugby league team represents Wales in representative rugby league football matches. Currently the team is ranked 17th in the IRL World Rankings. The team was run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from Cardiff. Six Welsh players have been entered into the Rugby Football League Hall of Fame.
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Rugby union has been played in New Zealand since 1870 and is the most popular sport in the country as well as being its national sport.
Tasesa James Lavea is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer. He is of Samoan and Māori descent and heritage, and he coaches the 1st XV for Saint Kentigern College.
The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, was an annual promotion and relegation rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played during the 1976 season, it was the highest level of competition in New Zealand until Super Rugby launched in 1996. It was organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and ceased following the 2005 season.
The Whanganui Rugby Football Union (WRFU) is the governing body for rugby union in the Whanganui region of New Zealand. The Whanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888.
The Buller Rugby Union (BRU) is a rugby union province based in the town of Westport, New Zealand. The Buller provincial boundary also includes other notable towns such as Reefton, Karamea, Granity, Charleston, Punakaiki and Murchison.
Stephen John Bachop is a New Zealand former rugby union player and current coach. He is the older brother of fellow former All Black, Graeme Bachop.
James Whitinui Joseph is a New Zealand-born Japanese former rugby union player and current rugby union coach. A flanker, Joseph represented Otago at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1992 to 1995, before representing Japan in 1999. Joseph, now head coach of the Japanese national side, has coached since his retirement, coming through the ranks in New Zealand before his first national stint.
Adrian Tremain Shelford was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for New Zealand, and at club level for Wigan and Wakefield Trinity in the Championship as well as the Newcastle Knights and Manly Sea Eagles in the NSWRL Premiership, as a prop.
Steve Skinnon is a New Zealand rugby footballer who played rugby union for Wellington and Hawkes Bay in the National Provincial Championship and rugby league for the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League. He represented his country in both codes at a junior level.
Warrick Wayne Gelant is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Stormers in the United Rugby Championship. His regular position is fullback, He was a member of the winning Springboks at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
John Wallace Kelly was a New Zealand rugby union player. His preferred position was fullback, but he also appeared on the wing or at centre. A fine goal-kicker, Kelly represented Canterbury and Auckland at a provincial level. He first played for the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1949, playing in the two test matches against the Touring Australian team. He was not selected to play for New Zealand again until the 1953–54 tour of the British Isles, France and North America on which he played in 14 of the 36 games, but he was unable to displace Bob Scott as the first-choice fullback for the test matches. In all, Kelly scored 86 points for the All Blacks in his 16 appearances.
William Roberts was a New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks between 1896 and 1897. His positions of choice were centre three-quarter and second five-eighth. Roberts did not play in any test matches as New Zealand did not play their first until 1903.
Oliver G.J.T. Jager is an Irish rugby union player who currently plays as a prop for Munster. Previously he represented Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition. In November 2023, he announced that he was joining Munster Rugby from 1 December 2023. Jager made his international debut for Ireland on 24 February 2024 coming on as a replacement in the Six Nations match against Wales.
Edward Richard George Steere was a New Zealand rugby union player. A lock, Steere represented Hawke's Bay at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, between 1928 and 1932. He played 21 matches for the All Blacks including six internationals, and captained the team in two matches on their 1932 tour of Australia. He scored one try for New Zealand, against Newcastle at Newcastle on the 1932 tour.
References
- 1 2 Akers, Clive. "John Stalker". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
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