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Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union is proud to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year.

In the early 1950s, rugby players from the Counties Manukau region had limited opportunities to play representative rugby without traveling into Auckland. Jock Peacock, Head of the Physical Education Department at Ardmore Training College, proposed the idea of forming a new union to give players in the region more chances to compete at a higher level. In late 1954, Jock took the initiative, and planning for the new union began.

Sadly, Jock passed away unexpectedly before the union could be officially formed. The late Dan Bryant stepped in to continue Jock’s work, leading a dedicated group of supporters to ensure the union’s recognition and affiliation with the New Zealand Rugby Union. After many months of meetings and presentations, the South Auckland Counties Rugby Union was officially established in 1955.

The union’s first historic match took place on June 25, 1955, with Counties Junior U21 squad taking on Thames Valley at Rugby Park in Waiuku in front of 4000 people complete with marching girls & a brass band! South Auckland Counties coming out victorious 15 - 14. 

“As we embark on our 70th year anniversary, Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union is immensely proud to celebrate this incredible milestone with our players, staff, supporters, volunteers and our wider community who have been the heartbeat of our journey." says CMRFU CEO, Chad Shepherd. "This year represents not just a celebration of our rich history but also an opportunity to honour the legends, moments, and achievements that have shaped Counties Manukau Rugby into what it is today.”

We will be sharing events celebrating our Anniversary over the coming months