Est. 1889
Our History
From the first clubs of 1885 to Ranfurly Shield glory and NPC titles, the Amber and Black have shaped New Zealand rugby for over a century.
Rugby in Taranaki dates back to 1885, when clubs across the region formed a representative team known as Egmont. Four years later the Taranaki Rugby Football Union was officially established, and in 1892 the famous amber and black hoops were pulled on for the first time. From the Original All Blacks of 1905 through seven Ranfurly Shield tenures and two NPC titles, Taranaki has produced more than 80 All Blacks and remains one of the proudest provincial unions in world rugby.
Through the Years
1885
Rugby Takes Root
Clubs across Taranaki came together under the Egmont banner to field the region's first representative team, laying the foundations for organised rugby in the province.
1889
Taranaki Rugby Football Union Founded
The TRFU was officially established, becoming one of New Zealand's earliest provincial unions. In 1892 the brown jerseys were replaced with the iconic amber and black hoops that remain today.
1905
The Originals
Six Taranaki players, including the prolific Jimmy Hunter and Frank Glasgow, toured Britain with the 1905 Original All Blacks. Hunter scored a staggering 41 tries on tour, a feat that cemented Taranaki's place in early All Blacks folklore.
1913
First Ranfurly Shield
Taranaki lifted the Log o' Wood for the first time, beating Auckland 14-11 at Eden Park. Six successful defences followed before Wellington took the Shield in September 1914.
1957 to 1965
The Golden Shield Era
A remarkable stretch from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s delivered back-to-back Shield tenures and 28 combined successful defences. The 1963 win off Wellington at Athletic Park is still regarded as one of the great Taranaki performances.
1976
The Mourie Era Begins
Graham Mourie made his All Blacks debut and went on to captain New Zealand in 19 of his 21 tests. A Taranaki farm boy turned global rugby icon, Mourie set the standard for every Taranaki flanker who followed.
1996
Shield Returns to the Amber and Black
After more than three decades in the wilderness, Taranaki edged Auckland 42-39 in a classic at Eden Park to reclaim the Ranfurly Shield. A generation of Taranaki fans finally got to see the Log come home.
2014
Premiership Champions
Taranaki claimed their first top-tier title, defeating Tasman in the ITM Cup Premiership final. The Bulls climbed to the top of the New Zealand provincial game for the first time in the professional era.
2017
The Greatest Shield Comeback
Trailing Canterbury 31-7 and staring down a record loss, Taranaki stormed back to win 55-43 in the biggest comeback in Ranfurly Shield history. Three successful defences followed before Waikato reclaimed the Shield in 2018.
2023
NPC Champions Again
In front of a packed Yarrow Stadium, Taranaki held off Hawke's Bay 22-19 to win their second NPC title. It was a homegrown celebration, sealed by a dominant final scrum and Meihana Grindlay's early try.
2024
Shield Reclaimed
Taranaki travelled to Nelson and took the Ranfurly Shield back off Tasman with a 42-29 win, sparking the province's eighth Shield tenure. Daniel Rona bagged a brace and Adam Lennox iced it late.
Honours and Achievements
NPC / ITM Cup Premiership Champions
2014
Bunnings NPC Champions
2023
Ranfurly Shield Tenures
1913, 1957, 1963, 1996, 2011, 2017, 2020, 2025
NPC Championship Division Winners
2021
Second Division Titles
1976, 1982 to 85, 1992, 1995
Biggest Comeback in Shield History
55-43 v Canterbury, 2017
All Blacks Produced
80+ since 1893
Record Home Attendance
36,000 v France, 1961
Barrett Brothers Historic Starting XV
Beauden, Scott and Jordie, 2018 v France
All Blacks
43 listed · alphabetical by surname
All Blacks (continued)
45 listed · alphabetical by surname
Black Ferns
2 listed · alphabetical by surname
Taranaki Centurions
32 listed · alphabetical by surname
