Rugby History – Page 10

Victoria Cross and Hardham Cup come together for first time in over 100 years

by clubrugby - May 8, 2025

By NZ Remembrance Army Media Release/Club Rugby In a first for New Zealand rugby, the military’s highest award the original Victoria Cross (VC) won by William James Hardham and Wellington club rugby’s prestigious Hardham Cup are being displayed together, offering a unique historical convergence underscoring his dual legacy. The two historic

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 098: Billy Francis

by clubrugby - May 7, 2025

Billy Francis was a hooker who came down to Wellington from Taranaki as a teenager and played for the Wellington Axemen club, from where he made the Wellington team and then the All Blacks on the last tour and final tests before the outbreak of the first world war. Francis achieved

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 097: Michael Ward

by clubrugby - April 30, 2025

Michael Ward was the captain of the 1948 Marist Brothers Old Boys team that won its maiden Jubilee Cup and backed that up two years later by leading on the field an unbeaten run to their second title. He also played for Wellington representative teams, and captained Wellington in 1948 and

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 096: Hami Grace

by clubrugby - April 24, 2025April 24, 2025

Hami Grace was a wing three-quarter who played for Wellington and the North Island, and he was a Māori All Black. He played club rugby for Wellington College Old Boys and later for the Wellington Axemen. He also played Senior club cricket in Wellington and briefly first-class cricket for the province, so

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 095: Henry Morgan

by clubrugby - April 16, 2025April 16, 2025

Henry Morgan was a long-serving administrator who is best known for helping grow and run the junior game in Wellington. His name lives on today with the H.D. Morgan Cup named in his honour. The H.D. Morgan silverware is currently contested in the second round of the Premier 2 Grade. Morgan was