The Canterbury Rugby Football Union (which is also referred to as Canterbury or CRFU) is the governing body for rugby union in a portion of the Canterbury region of New Zealand, and runs the Canterbury representative team. The Canterbury team has won the National Provincial Championship, Air New Zealand Cup, and the ITM Cup 14 times including a "six-peat" from 2008 to 2013 – with five in the National Provincial Championship, two in the Air New Zealand Cup, five in the ITM Cup and one in the Mitre 10 Cup. Their most recent victory was the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. Canterbury also acts as a primary feeder to the Crusaders, who play in the Super Rugby competition.
The union also administers all club rugby within the region, including senior club rugby and school rugby. Canterbury has produced the most All Blacks of any New Zealand region, with Scott Barrett becoming Canterbury's 200th All Black in 2016.
History
Early history (1879–1975)
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) was established in 1879, following a match between South Canterbury and North Canterbury in Timaru. It took place on 26 July 1879, where delegates representing Christchurch, Christ's College, Temuka, North Canterbury (Rangiora), Eastern (Christchurch), South Canterbury (Timaru), Ashburton, and Southbridge clubs decided to form the union. Montague Lewin was most responsible for the Union's formation; he had emigrated from England to Christchurch in 1873, and lobbied for local football clubs to adopt the rules of England's Rugby Football Union. He succeeded in getting Canterbury clubs to adopt the rugby rules in 1876, but a visit by an Australian Victorian Rules football team in 1879 prompted him to push for the formation of a union. The new organisation was initially proposed as the New Zealand Rugby Union, but ultimately formed as the Canterbury Rugby Football Union. Canterbury was the first provincial union within New Zealand, with the Wellington Rugby Football Union being formed later that year. By 1890, fourteen provincial unions had been founded within New Zealand. As well as being the oldest union in New Zealand, the CRFU was founded before one of the Home Unions (the Welsh Rugby Union, founded in 1881).
A Canterbury representative side had played before the formation of the CRFU, but the first provincial game in New Zealand played under the authority of provincial unions took place on 27 August 1881. Canterbury hosted an Otago side that triumphed by a try-to nil. The first rugby match at Lancaster Park was played the following year, which served as the Union's home until the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
In 1888 the South Canterbury clubs broke off to form the South Canterbury Rugby Union – comprising Timaru, Fairlie Creek, Geraldine, Temuka, Waimate, Winchester, and Timaru Pirate clubs – only a few years before the formation of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (later shortened to New Zealand Rugby Union, or NZRU) in 1892. The CRFU had originally voted to join the NZRU in 1891, but when the time came to ratify the agreement in 1892, they resisted following reluctance from their members. Along with the Otago and Southland provinces, the CRFU objected to the requirement that NZRU executive committee members reside in Wellington. South Canterbury had joined the NZRU, and the provinces' representative sides did not meet in 1893. Players from Canterbury were not eligible for selection in the 1893 New Zealand team that toured Australia. The CRFU eventually relented, and in 1894 joined the NZRU; both Otago and Southland joined the following year. When New South Wales toured New Zealand in 1894, Canterbury players were now eligible for selection for New Zealand, and the CRFU hosted the only game between the sides which was played at Lancaster Park.
In 1904, a sub-union of the South Canterbury Rugby Union was formed around the Ashburton area – the Ashburton Country Rugby Union. In 1905 it came under the umbrella of the CRFU, but split away to become completely independent in 1927. It was renamed the Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union in 1952.
National Provincial Championship (1976–2005) The National Provincial Championship was founded in 1976, becoming the premier national rugby competition. The NPC did not have playoffs, with the Championship awarded to the team with the best record. Canterbury had immediate success in the competition, going undefeated in 1977 to win the title. Canterbury had mixed results for the next five years, finishing between 2nd and 9th during this period. In 1983 Canterbury won their second title, once again going undefeated.
Canterbury teams did not win the title again until 1997. All Black-laden Auckland teams outperformed Canterbury, claiming 10 titles from 1984 to 1996. The 1984 and 1989 Canterbury teams had a record of 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, and finished second to Auckland.
In 1992, the National Provincial Championship established playoffs, with the top four sides playing in a knockout format. In 1992 and 1993 Canterbury missed the playoffs. In 1994, Canterbury placed 3rd during the regular season. Canterbury travelled to North Harbour for the semi-final. Canterbury lost 27–59 to North Harbour. In 1995, Canterbury missed the playoffs again. Canterbury began to see the development of important players such as Andrew Mehrtens, Todd Blackadder, and Reuben Thorne. Despite losing three of the first four games Canterbury rebounded to finish 3rd in 1996. However, Canterbury went on to lose away to Counties Manukau 33–46 in the semi-final. In the 1997 season, Canterbury broke their championship drought, winning their third title. Canterbury posted a record of 8 wins and 2 losses, enough to finish 2nd in the round-robin. Canterbury defeated Auckland 21–15 in the semi-final. Canterbury also hosted the final owing to Counties Manukau, upsetting Waikato 43–40 in the other semi-final. Canterbury defeated Counties Manukau 44–13 in the final.
In 1998, Canterbury finished 3rd in the round robin, with a record of 6 wins and 4 losses. Canterbury travelled to Hamilton to play Waikato in the semi-final. Canterbury lost 13–32 to Waikato in the semi-final. The 1999 season saw Canterbury missing the playoffs, finishing 5th. Canterbury had a record of 5 wins and 4 losses. In 2000, Canterbury finished 1st in the round robin with a record of 8 wins and 1 loss. Canterbury defeated Taranaki 31–23 in the semi-final. Canterbury lost the final to Wellington 29–34 in Christchurch. In 2001, Canterbury won their fourth title. Canterbury posted a record of 9 wins and 1 loss, finishing 1st in the round-robin. Canterbury defeated Auckland in the semi-final 53–22. Canterbury hosted Otago in the final, defeating Otago 30–19.
In 2002, Canterbury finished 2nd in the round robin, with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses. Canterbury hosted Auckland in the semi-final. However, Auckland beat Canterbury 23–29 in the semi-final. In the 2003 season, Canterbury did not qualify for the playoffs, posting a record of 5 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. The 2003 season is currently the last time Canterbury has missed the playoffs. In 2004, Canterbury won its fifth title, defeating Wellington in the final. Canterbury finished 2nd in the round-robin after posting a record of 6 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. Canterbury hosted Bay of Plenty in Christchurch. Canterbury defeated Bay of Plenty 44–12 in the semi-final. Wellington hosted the final against Canterbury. Canterbury defeated Wellington 40–27 in the final, with Justin Marshall scoring two tries.
2005 was the last season of the National Provincial Championship before becoming the Air New Zealand Cup. Canterbury finished 1st in the round robin, posting a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Canterbury hosted Otago in the semi-final, in the Battle of the South Island. Otago beat Canterbury 22–37, ending Canterbury's season.
Air New Zealand Cup (2006–2009)
In 2006, the National Provincial Championship became the Air New Zealand Cup, as Air New Zealand airline company became the principal sponsor of the tournament and earned naming rights. The 2006 season was not very successful for Canterbury, posting a record of 6 wins and 3 losses, placing Canterbury 5th in the Top Six division. Canterbury would have to travel to Wellington for the quarter-final. Wellington defeated Canterbury 23–36 in the quarter-final. In 2007, Canterbury finished 2nd in the round robin, behind the undefeated Auckland. Canterbury hosted Wellington in the semi-final, with Canterbury losing 21–26.
The 2008 season began a period of consistent performance for Canterbury. Canterbury recorded 9 wins and 1 loss, to finish 2nd behind Wellington. Canterbury hosted Tasman in the quarter-final. Canterbury beat Tasman 48–10. In the semi-final Canterbury hosted Hawke's Bay, defeating Hawke's Bay 31–21. For the final, Canterbury travelled to Wellington to face the top seed, Wellington. In a low-scoring final, Canterbury won 7–6, earning its first Air New Zealand Cup title and sixth title overall.
The 2009 season continued Canterbury's success. In the round robin, Canterbury finished 1st after posting a record of 10 wins and 3 losses. Canterbury hosted Hawke's Bay, the best-attacking team in the competition. Canterbury defeated Hawke's Bay 20–3 in the semi-final. Canterbury faced Wellington again in the final, winning with a penalty in the 78th minute, 28–20. For the first time, Canterbury won titles back to back.
ITM Cup (2010–2015)
In 2010, the Air New Zealand Cup became the ITM Cup, as ITM gained the naming rights after becoming the principal sponsor. Canterbury tied Auckland with 45 points during the round-robin but managed to top the table after having a better points differential than Auckland. Canterbury hosted the semi-final against Wellington. In a high-scoring match, Canterbury beat Wellington 57–41. Canterbury faced Waikato, the 3rd seed, after Waikato upset Auckland 38–37 in the other semi-final. Canterbury defeated Waikato in the final 33–13. Canterbury earned its first ITM Cup title and eighth title overall. Canterbury achieved its first three-peat, the second province (after Auckland) to accomplish this.
In 2011, the ITM hosted no semi-finals, making room for the World Cup. As a result, only the top two sides would qualify for a final. Canterbury posted a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, finishing as the 2nd seed. Despite Taranaki having 7 wins and 3 losses, Canterbury qualified because it had more competition points (33) than Taranaki (31). Canterbury travelled to Hamilton to face Waikato in the final for the second time in two years. Canterbury defeated Waikato 12–3, with both teams scoring only through penalties. Canterbury earned its ninth title and equalled Auckland's feat of a fourpeat.
In the 2012 season, Canterbury tied with Wellington on 39 competition points; but finished top of the table due to a better points differential. Canterbury faced Taranaki in the semi-final. Despite Taranaki being expected to win easily, , at full-time the score was tied at 27–27, forcing extra-time. In extra-time, Canterbury took a 51–27 victory. Canterbury hosted Auckland in the 2012 final, beating the Auckland team 31–18. Canterbury became the first team to win five titles in a row and earned its tenth title.
In 2013, Canterbury became the first team to win six titles in a row. Canterbury finished 2nd in the round robin behind Wellington, after posting a record of 8 wins and 2 losses. Canterbury hosted Auckland in the semi-final. In an offensive game, Canterbury beat Auckland 56–26. Canterbury faced Wellington away in the final, winning 29–13.
In 2014, Canterbury's streak came to an end. Canterbury posted a record of 7 wins and 3 losses, finishing 3rd in the round-robin, then losing to Tasman in Nelson, 6–26.