By John Heikell

The Poverty Bay RFU was formed in Gisborne on August 30, 1890.

Four clubs Gisborne, Turanganui, Poverty Bay and Warerenga-a-Hika clubs got together to found the Poverty Bay RFU.

Poverty Bay's first contact was against Hawke's Bay and had fielded Poverty Bay XV's prior to the formation of the union however, to celebrate their new status a first class game was played against Hawke's Bay in1890.

Poverty Bay lost 2-0.

Poverty Bay have played against all 27 New Zealand unions plus games against touring international sides.

Those include Anglo-Welsh, Australia, Fiji, New South Wales, New South Country, Romania, Argentina, California, England, South Africa, Japan, Irish Universities, Tonga, Victoria and Manu Samoa.

A combined Poverty Bay-East Coast side also played against the British Isles, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Australia in Gisborne.

Poverty Bay's first ever unbeaten season was in 1947. The side was coached by former All Black Dave Solomon and downed Bay of Plenty, East Coast twice, Hawke's Bay Wairarapa and Bush.

It took another 40 years before Poverty Bay went through a season with a clean slate. Coach Grant Allen's side defeated East Coast twice, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua, North Otago, Buller, Nelson Bays, West Coast and Thames Valley.

However the Bay have had some wonderful seasons.  In 1974 under the guidance of Tony Sheehan they had a vintage season and from 13 outings they won 10 games, drew against Japan and their wins were over East Coast twice, Thames Valley, Bay of Plenty, West Coast, Nelson Bays, Buller, Hawke's Bay Auckland and Counties.

The two losses were against in their first game against Bay of Plenty and Marlborough.

In 1976 Poverty Bay defeated the inaugural National Provincial champions, Bay of Plenty in 1976.  In a heart thumping affair the home side won 26-24.

The third division Poverty Bay side were the runners up in the competition in 1994, 1995 and 1999 and went one better in 2005 to win the third division title.

In the new Heartland Championship they won the Lochore Cup in 2006.

Poverty Bay have challenged for the Ranfurly Shield 15 times without success.

Their best showing was in 1957, when they troubled Wellington throughout the game before coming out at the end a 15-3 loss while in 1980 they caused Auckland all sorts of problems and in a thrilling affair the Bay was pipped 19-12.

Poverty Bay has produced some outstanding payers and can claim two All Black legends in Richard (Tiny) White and Ian Kirkpatrick while playing for Poverty Bay.

White wore the black jersey from 1949 to 1956, played 23 successive tests for New Zealand and including touring matches he played 55 matches for the All Blacks. White also held the record at the time for most successive test matches played by any All Black.

‘Kirky' played 39 tests and took the field on 113 occasions for the All Blacks and at one time he held the record for scoring the most tries in tests by any All Black.  He scored over 100 tries in first class rugby. He also had created a record at the time, like Tiny White, by playing the most successive test matches by any All Black - 38.

Other All Blacks were Brian Fitzpatrick, John Collins, Mike Parkinson and Lawrie Knight.

Ivan Bramwell was selected for the 1929 All Black side to tour Australia however, he had to withdraw due to work commitments.

Alan Rowlands was an All Black reserve in 1958 while Mick Cossey, Gordon Macpherson and Rico Gear, who wore the scarlet jersey of Poverty Bay, went on to be selected for the All Blacks.

Referee Birnie Wolstenholme controlled a test match, New Zealand versus Australia in 1958, Husky Preston became a NZRFU president and Richard Crawshaw was a member of the NZRFU board member.

Other National Selections

NZ XV

A.G.McPhail

Richard White

NZ Maori

Kahu Bullivant, W.Burnett, Edward Carrington, Bill Carrington, John Collins, Trevor Crosby, Thomas Dennis, Doug Hauraki, Wi Hapu, Henry Huriwai, A.P.Kaipara, Pita Kaua, W.Kopu, W.Kouka, L.Leach, AF.Matthews, Jimmy Mill, W.H.McKay, Cecil McKinley, Reg McKinley, Mutu Ngarimu, John Paea, Moana Paratene, Erekana Pewhairangi, Pat Ransley, Mike Parkinson, Bernard Rogers, Waretini Rukingi, Sonny Rutene, Chas Ryland, Pini Taiapa, W.Te Whata, Nui Tibble, Paaka Turei, Pare Turei 

North Island

Ivan Bramwell, John Collins, Brian Fitzpatrick, A.P.Kaipara, G.F.King, , Ian Kirkpatrick, Lawrie Knight,  W.J.Langlands, A.I.McAneney, A.G.McPhail, Moana Paratene, Mike Parkinson, Jas Poynter, Alan Rowlands, Chas Ryland, Richard White.

NZ Development Side

Sean Fitzsimons

NZ U23

Graeme Allen, Phil Duncan, Mick Cossey, Gordon Macpherson, George Newlands, Robbie Newlands, Alan Rowlands

NZ Under 21

Keith Allen, Graham Barbara, Phil Duncan, Sean Fitzsimons, Daniel Godbold, Haupai Henare, Henry Maxwell, Gary Muir

NZ Under 19

Brian Fitzpatrick, James Kerr, Rico Gear, Miah Nikora, Barry Preston, Alan Rowlands

New Zealand Divisional XV

Andrew Hansen, Trevor Crosby, Mark Johnson, Willie Lardelli, Brett Mataira, Tony Thorpe.

NZ Heartland XV

Willie Hallgarth, Scott Leighton, Shane Leach, Daniel Morath, Tom Solomon, Kahu Tamatea.