http://www.ruakurarfc.co.nz/, https://www.ruakurarfc.co.nz/foundation-membership

Ruakura Rugby Football Club, Chiefs Rugby Club 10 Bisley Road, Hamilton (2026)

02/09/2026

FATHER’S DAY SORTED!

Looking for something a little different for Dad this Father’s Day, Sunday 6 September?

He Piko, He Taniwha tells the story of 30 years of Chiefs Rugby through the voices of the Chiefs themselves, the players, coaches and people who have helped shape the club over the past three decades.

Written by Tony Johnson and Lynn McConnell, it’s a great addition to the bookshelf for any Chiefs supporter or rugby fan and an ideal Father’s Day gift.

You can grab a copy in a few different ways:

🏉 Penny’s Bookstore – Chartwell Square, Hamilton
Pop in and pick one up directly from the team at Penny’s:
https://pennysbookstore.co.nz

📚 Buy directly from the publisher – Upstart Press
https://upstartpress.co.nz/product/he-piko-he-taniwha/

📍 Or if you’re floating around Hamilton, contact Kent directly and we can arrange a copy:
📱 021 944 710
📧 [email protected]

A great piece of Chiefs history, a celebration of the people who have worn the jersey, and something Dad can keep for years to come.

Father’s Day sorted! 🎁🏉

02/09/2026

🥊 RUMBLE ON THE RIVER – THE MOMENTUM IS BUILDING! 🥊

Things are really starting to gather momentum for Rumble on the River, our Black Tie Fight Night at the Claudelands Events Centre on Saturday 28 November 2026.

While there will be plenty of rivalry, entertainment and theatre inside the ring, there is also an important purpose behind the night.

Taking place during Movember New Zealand we want to use the event to put a spotlight on Men’s Health Awareness and encourage blokes to look after themselves, look after their mates and not put off those important conversations or health checks.

Men’s Health and the Movember message will be a big part of what Rumble on the River is all about.

The night is being put together by Ruakura Rugby Football Club in conjunction with renowned Hamilton boxing identity Cairo George at Team George Promotions. Interest in stepping into the ring has really picked up over the past week.

Ruakura Rugby Football Club is the home of the Chiefs Alumni and has been established to provide a platform for our former players to remain connected and, importantly, to give something back to the community long after their playing days are over.

Former Chiefs and All Black Liam Messam is our official Club Captain, while former Chiefs and All Black captain Sam Cane is our Club Patron and Rumble on the River is another opportunity for our former players to come together around something that can have a positive impact within our community.

And the fight card is starting to look pretty entertaining!

🥊 Liam Messam vs TBC – Main Event
🥊 Hika Elliot vs TBC
🥊 James McGougan vs TBC
🥊 Faifili Levave vs TBC – close to being confirmed
🥊 Karl Johnson vs Mark Perram – FMG Stadium WaikatoGroundsman vs Go Media Stadium Head Groundsman in the Battle of the Stadiums – TURF WAR!
🥊 Jack Devane – Lodge Real Estate vs Matt Scoble - Bayleys Waikato – Bayleys
🥊 Josh Standen – King Country vs Joe Murray – Thames Valley

There are also a number of other notable personalities from around our community who have expressed an interest in supporting the event and potentially stepping into the ring, so this is shaping up to be an absolute ripper of a night!

If you’re a former player, rugby club member, sporting identity, businessperson or local personality who has been quietly thinking about having a crack, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need to be a boxer. You just need to be prepared to train, challenge yourself, put on a show and support a night that will help us promote an important message around Movember and Men’s Health Awareness.

📅 Saturday 28 November 2026
📍 Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton
🥊 Black Tie Boxing
👊 Headlined by Liam Messam
🤝 In conjunction with Cairo George at Team George Promotions
💙 Supporting Movember & Men’s Health Awareness

Interested in stepping into the ring?

📞 Kent – 021 944 710
📧 [email protected]

Get your gloves on for RUMBLE ON THE RIVER.

A great night, a great cause and a chance to make a difference beyond the game.

02/09/2026

🏉 TARANAKI — TWO SPOTS LEFT! 🏆

The final Test of Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry is heading to the Nag n Noggin in New Plymouth next Tuesday night and we’re almost at capacity!

We currently have 10 teams entered, led by Adam Bayliss, Emily Barrett, Bruce Colgan, Ashton, Andrew Castles, John Gray, Bryce Robbins, Geoff Herbert, Steven Bruce and Jared Nell.

That means we have room for just TWO MORE TEAMS

And there is plenty on the line…

🏆 FIRST PRIZE includes:
• Custody of the original Tri Nations Trophy for the night (T&Cs definitely apply!)
• Full corporate hospitality for the team at a Chiefs home game in 2027
• Limited-edition leather-bound copies of He Piko, He Taniwha, the story of Chiefs rugby history

There will also be prizes for 2nd and 3rd, plus plenty of spot prizes throughout the night.

The quiz will test your knowledge of Taranaki rugby, Chiefs rugby, the All Blacks and the great All Blacks v Springboks rivalry....and if the first quizzes are anything to go by, the questions certainly won’t be for the faint-hearted!

The previous rounds have produced brilliant nights full of rugby people, banter, laughs and some very healthy competition.

📍 Nag n Noggin, New Plymouth
📅 Tuesday 8 September
🚪 Doors open 5.30pm
🏉 Quiz starts 7.05pm
👥 Maximum five per team
💰 $200 per team

🔥 Only two spots remain.

Round up your Tight Five and help us finish Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry with a bang in Taranaki!

📧 [email protected]
📱 021 944 710

27/08/2026

🥊 HAMILTON… WHO’S READY TO STEP INTO THE RING? 🥊

RUMBLE ON THE RIVER is coming to GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands on Saturday 28 November 2026 and we’re looking for local people brave enough to be part of the action!

Headlined by Liam Messam this will be a huge Black Tie Boxing Fight Night bringing together sport, business and the wider Hamilton community for an unforgettable evening.

Our undercard is already starting to take shape, with former Chiefs players, local businesspeople, real estate agents, lawyers, sporting personalities and a few very recognisable faces preparing to pull on the gloves.

Now we want to hear from YOU.

You don’t need to be a rugby player.
You don’t need to be a boxer.
You don’t need any previous fight experience.

We’re looking for everyday men and women from around our community who want to challenge themselves, get seriously fit, tick something off the bucket list and be part of an incredible night for a great cause.

Every participant will complete a professionally managed 10-week boxing programme with qualified coaches before being appropriately matched for the night.

The event will help promote men’s health through Movember New Zealand, bring our community together and raise funds for Ruakura RFC and its community initiatives.

We’re aiming for a crowd of 700–1,000 people, corporate tables, entertainment and a fight-night atmosphere worthy of the big stage.

As our poster says, we’re looking for people willing to step forward and help make Rumble on the River a night to remember.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Or know somebody who would be perfect?

🥊 TAG THEM BELOW!

Expressions of interest don’t commit you to fighting, come and find out what’s involved first.

Contact Kent Currie
📱 021 944 710
📧 [email protected]

GET YOUR GLOVES ON.
RUMBLE ON THE RIVER. 🥊🔥

27/08/2026

TUAKAU — YOU’RE UP! 🏉🍻

Two Tests. Two SOLD-OUT nights. Now Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry is heading to Counties!

The opening two Tests at Smith & McKenzies in Hamilton and The Flying Mullet in Papamoa have been packed, vibrant nights full of rugby knowledge, local rivalry, plenty of laughs and some very healthy debate.

Now it’s Counties’ turn.

And for the first time in the series, we’re doing it on a FRIDAY NIGHT!

On Friday 4 September, we take over Elsie’s Restaurant & Bar in Tuakau for the Third Test of Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry.

You don’t need to be a walking rugby encyclopedia. Get five mates together, have a few beers, test what you think you know and enjoy a cracking night amongst the local rugby community.

Expect questions covering Counties rugby, the Chiefs, All Blacks, international rugby, famous players, great moments and rugby history — along with plenty of banter and questionable confidence!

📍 Elsie’s Restaurant & Bar, Tuakau
📅 Friday 4 September 2026
🚪 Doors open: 5.30pm
🏉 Quiz starts: 7.05pm
👥 Teams: Tight Five maximum
💰 $200 per team – EFTPOS on the night
🏆 Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd + spot prizes throughout the night

The first two Tests have sold out, so round up your Tight Five and get your team locked in.

👉 REGISTER YOUR TEAM:
https://www.ruakurarfc.co.nz/quiz-series

Or contact Kent Currie
📧 [email protected]
📱 021 944 710

Hamilton has had its turn.
Papamoa has had its turn.

NOW IT’S COUNTIES’ TURN TO CLAIM THE BRAGGING RIGHTS.

26/08/2026

WHAT A NIGHT IN THE BAY!

The Second Test of Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry at The Flying Mullet, Papamoa was an absolute cracker!

With 17 teams packed into the venue, the night was full of banter, laughs, great spirit and some seriously competitive rugby knowledge. The questions provided a genuine test, with a fantastic mix of former Chiefs, Bay of Plenty rugby identities, club rugby people and passionate supporters in the room. We even had two teams from the USA joining the contest!

A massive congratulations to David Hill and his team of rugby experts, who took out the Second Test after a brilliant performance.

🥇 1st – MISCONDUCT David Hill, Marty Bourke, Simon Graafhuis & Co Team
🥈 2nd – SPECIAISED Callum Retallick, Herb Schuler & Co
🥉 3rd – FACT HUNTS Sam Cane, Lachlan Boshier, Johan Bardoul & Co

A huge thank you to Mike Delany and Unite Insurance Brokers for helping sponsor the evening. Your support was greatly appreciated and played a big part in making the night such a success. https://uniteinsurance.co.nz/

Thanks also to The Flying Mullet for being outstanding hosts and providing the perfect setting for the Second Test.

We were also extremely grateful to BurgerFuel Papamoa and Red Bull for generously providing spot prizes throughout the evening. 🙌

And finally, a big thank you to Elijah Warren from VisualsByEli for capturing the night so brilliantly.

Hamilton ✅
Papamoa ✅

Next stop…

TUAKAU! 🏉🔥

We look forward to taking Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry to the Tuakau Hotel next week!

The rivalry is building…

21/08/2026

What a way to kick off Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry!

The First Test at Smith & McKenzie Steak House delivered exactly what we hoped for. A brilliant night, plenty of laughs, some very serious rugby knowledge on display, and a wonderfully competitive but jovial atmosphere throughout the room.

We had a fantastic mix of former Chiefs players, Chiefs staff, rugby clubs and passionate rugby supporters, which made for a great occasion.

And the questions certainly weren’t for the faint-hearted! They provided a genuine test for every team in the room and there were more than a few reputations being put on the line as the night unfolded!

A huge thank you to Smith & McKenzie Steak House for allowing us to host the opening Test. It was the perfect venue, the staff were outstanding and they helped create a fantastic atmosphere for everyone involved.

A special thank you also to Paul Neazor for putting together the questions and answers. His knowledge and experience certainly shone through and provided a proper examination for the rugby tragics in the room.

Thanks also to former Chiefs Isaac Boss and Todd Miller for getting involved and reading out some of the questions, and to Mitch Graham and Worchem Cleaning Products for generously sponsoring a number of spot prizes throughout the evening.

Congratulations to former Chiefs and Waikato legend Duane Monkley and the Mov Lads who took out the honours in the First Test.

They were closely followed by Misconduct (Chiefs Team Management) and The Nuns, led by Darin Armstrong and PJ Williams, in what was a tightly contested night.

A big thank you as well to Sharon Dean from Ultimate Sports for capturing the evening for us. 📸

Now the series moves to the Bay…

The Second Test takes place this Tuesday at The Flying Mullet in Papamoa, and with an incredible 17 teams already registered, it is shaping up to be an absolute cracker in the sunny Bay of Plenty!

One Test down.

Three to go.

Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry is officially underway! 🏉🔥

20/08/2026

The Flying Mullet in Papamoa will be packed to capacity on Tuesday the 25th August for the 2nd Test of Rugby's 2nd Greatest Rivalry. The SOLD OUT sign has now officially been put up and we are no longer taking anymore team entries.

This is shaping to be one of rugby's true classics...

Thanks to Mike Delaney for sponsoring the night - Unite Insurance Brokers.

19/08/2026

We look forward to hosting tonight’s First Test of Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry at Smith & McKenzie Steak House!

The First Test is officially SOLD OUT, and we are no longer taking team entries.

With a full house, some serious rugby knowledge in the room, former Chiefs involved and plenty of reputations on the line, it is shaping up to be one of rugby’s true classic First Test encounters!

The teams are named. The questions are ready. The trophy is waiting.

Tonight, the talking stops. Bragging rights are up for grabs. 🏉🏆

17/08/2026

There's been strong interest in the Second Test of Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry.

We are delighted to have many former Chiefs and All Blacks involved on the night, helping to read out some of the questions, entering teams themselves and no doubt adding a bit of rugby banter along the way. Also a big thank you to former Chiefs and All black, MIKE DELANEY for helping sponsor the event through the insurance brokers company he works for - UNITE INSURANCE BROKERS https://uniteinsurance.co.nz/

The Tri Nations Trophy
We will also have the original and iconic Tri Nations Trophy on display throughout the evening. Every team member will have the opportunity to get a photo with the trophy — and, in a fairly unique prize, the captain of the winning team will get to take the Tri Nations Trophy home for one night!

Prizes:
1st Prize
Full hospitality experience at a Chiefs home game in 2027
A limited-edition leather-bound copy of He Piko, He Taniwha for every team member
One night with the Tri Nations Trophy

2nd Prize
$200 The Flying Mullet voucher
A copy of He Piko, He Taniwha for every team member

3rd Prize
20 x BurgerFuel vouchers

Unite Insurance and Red Bull, there will also be plenty of spot prizes throughout the evening

The Night
The quiz will be held in the main bar area of The Flying Mullet
Doors open: 5.30pm
Quiz kick-off: 7.05pm
Payment will be taken on the night via EFTPOS.

The quiz itself will feature questions covering:
All Blacks v South Africa history • Bay Of Plenty rugby history • Chiefs history

It’s shaping up to be a cracking night and a fantastic way to continue Rugby’s 2nd Greatest Rivalry.

Ruakura Rugby Football Club

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

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27/08/2026

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