Waikato (National Provincial Championship)
 WRU official emblem | ||
| Union | Waikato Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Mooloos | |
| Founded | 1921 | |
| Location | Whitiora, Hamilton, New Zealand | |
| Ground(s) | FMG Stadium Waikato (Capacity: 25,000) | |
| CEO | Amy Marfell [1] | |
| Coach(es) | Ross Filipo | |
| Captain(s) | Ayden Johnstone & Xavier Roe | |
| Most appearances | Ian Foster and Graham Purvis (148) | |
| Top scorer | Matthew Cooper (1,604) | |
| Most tries | Bruce Smith (70) | |
| League(s) | Bunnings NPC | |
| 2023 | 5th Quarterfinalist | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Waikato (often known as the Waikato Mooloos) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1921, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton in the Waikato region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are red, yellow and black.
Current squad
[edit]The Waikato Mooloos squad for the 2024 Bunnings NPC is:[2]
| Waikato Mooloos squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props Hookers Locks |
Loose forwards Halfbacks (scrum-halves) First five-eighths (fly-halves) |
Midfielders (centres) Outside backs |
| (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped
|
Honours
[edit]Waikato have been overall Champions on three occasions, winning the titles in 1992, 2006 and 2021. Their full list of honours include:[3][4]
- National Provincial Championship Second Division North Island
- Winners: 1980
- National Provincial Championship Second Division
- Winners: 1986
- National Provincial Championship First Division
- Winners: 1992
- Winners: 2006
- Mitre 10 Cup Championship Division
- Winners: 2018
- Bunnings NPC Premiership Division
- Winners: 2021
Current Super Rugby players
[edit]Players named in the 2024 Waikato Mooloos squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
References
[edit]- ^ "WRU Staff & Board". Waikato Rugby. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "2024 Waikato National Provincial Championship Squad Announced" (Press release). Waikato Rugby. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "National Provincial Championship winners, 1976–2014". Te Ara. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Mitre 10 Cup". Rugby Heartland. Retrieved 17 September 2020.