New Zealand became a self governing nation within the British Commonwealth in September 1907 and, with a population of nearly four million people, the island nation boasts the world’s southernmost capital in Wellington.
Located in the South Pacific to the southeast of Australia, New Zealand is a largely mountainous country that is made up of two main islands – North and South – with a number of smaller offshore islands.
Rugby has become a way of life and by far the most popular sport in New Zealand since it was first introduced by Charles Monro in the late 1860s, Monro having discovered the game while completing his studies in England.
The first game took place in May 1870 with the first union – Canterbury – formed in 1879, 13 years before the New Zealand Rugby Football Union came into being and 70 years before this national body joined the International Rugby Board.
New Zealand is split into 27 provincial unions with the National Provincial Championship (NPC) contested since 1976. The five New Zealand Super 12 teams draw their players from these unions.
Another highlight on the domestic scene, which boasts more than 500 clubs, 30,000 seniors and twice as many junior players, is the Ranfurly Shield.