Overview

New Zealand’s national team named the “All Blacks” has the best winning record of any national team in the world. No other sport has had such an impact on the country’s culture and national identity as rugby.

Rugby was introduced into New Zealand by Charles Monro who had learnt the game while at a boarding school in England. He returned to his home town of Nelson and arranged the first rugby match, between Nelson College and Nelson Football Club, on May 14, 1870. Even earlier in the 1850's, rugby was recorded as being played at Christ's College in Christchurch. The first national side to take to the field under the title of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union did so in 1893, when 10 games were played during a tour of Australia.

All major cities have large stadiums and the main venues are Eden Park in Auckland, Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, Westpac Stadium in Wellington, Jade Stadium in Christchurch and Carisbrooke in Dunedin.

Rugby is played by different sexes and all ages in New Zealand, a truly national game and the sport of choice in the winter season.