Wellington v Manawatu: The History

The Wellington Lions and the Manawatu Turbos resume their long-established rivalry and contest the Coronation Cup when they meet on Saturday evening at Westpac Stadium.

As near-neighbours in provincial rugby terms, this is a clash dripping in history and tradition. It goes back to 1887 when Wellington enjoyed what was then a reasonably comfortable 11-0 victory.

Prior to the start of the NPC/ITM Cup era in 1976, Wellington and Manawatu had met 67 times, of which Wellington won 45, Manawatu 15 and there were seven draws including three in a row 1948-50. The Coronation Cup inter-union trophy that the two sides are also playing for on Saturday was presented by the Arnott family to the Manawatu Rugby Union in the Queen's coronation year of 1953. For many seasons the two unions played an annual Queen's Birthday fixture for the Coronation Cup.

Saturday’s clash will be the 23rd meeting between the Lions and Manawatu in the ITM Cup. Of the previous 22, Wellington has won 16 and Manawatu six. Wellington and Manawatu met in both sides’ respective first match in the then new NPC competition in 1976. Manawatu played in Division 2 of the NPC from 1989 to 2005, but they have met once a year since 2006.

Manawatu has won three of their past five clashes, 27-21 in Wellington last year and 31-25 in Wellington in 2010. Wellington won in Palmerston North. They also won 36-24 in Turbo city in 2010. Wellington won 30-11 in 2012 and 42-15 in 2013.

In 2011, the visitors gained their first ever ITM Cup victory in Wellington since the competition’s inception in 1976, a late converted try and a dropped goal by former All Blacks first five-eighth Aaron Cruden trumping the two tries scored by Wellington’s All Blacks hooker Dane Coles. In 2010 the Turbos maintained a narrow halftime lead to prevail 36-24.

Some memorable wins for the Lions against Manawatu include 15-9 in 1980 - the year Manawatu won the NPC - and 28-10 in 1981 at a packed Athletic Park, which was the game that sealed Wellington's second NPC title. Tana Umaga played his 100th and last game for the Lions in a 37-7 win at Westpac Stadium in 2007.

In 1981, Manawatu were the defending NPC champions and recent Ranfurly Shield holders, had won their first eight matches of 1981, including an 18-3 win over the Queensland Reds and Championship wins over Counties, Auckland and Waikato. Close losses included 19-31 to the touring South Africans after scores had been locked up a 19-19 at one point. Manawatu were coming into this match having just thrashed Southland (51-9) and Otago (55-19).

The Lions, who had finished second to Manawatu in 1980 after winning the NPC for the first time in 1978, had beaten the touring Scotland side 19-15, lost to the same Queensland side 17-18 (in Brisbane), and were coming off four straight NPC wins to open their season. In August they had beaten Hawke's Bay 31-14 and Bay of Plenty 39-13 and in the past fortnight had accounted for Southland (34-9) and Otago (26-6) at home. In these latter two matches, Test wings Wilson and Fraser had scored six of 10 tries.

Nine players - Allan Hewson, Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser and Murray Mexted for Wellington and Lachie Cameron, Doug Rollerson, Mark Donaldson, Geoff Old and Gary Knight for Manawatu - in the 1981 match had played and beaten the Springboks 25-22 the day before in their series decider.

Wellington's biggest score (69) and biggest winning margin (66 points) against Manawatu came in their 69-3 victory in 1990. Wing Mike Clamp scored four tries in Wellington’s 24-9 win in 1984, a Lions record against all sides that was equaled in 2009 by Hosea Gear who against Counties Manukau. Fullback John Gallahger scored a Wellington record 24 ITM Cup competition points against Manawatu in a 56-24 win in 1987.

In all ITM Cup matches, Wellington has scored 558 points against Manawatu, including 75 tries, and Manawatu has scored 348 points against Wellington, including 39 tries.

Wellington has scored four tries of more in an ITM Cup match against Manawatu on 10 occasions. The most tries that Wellington has scored in a match against Manawatu was nine in 1987.