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Heartland 2025: A Season That Defined North Otago Rugby

The 2025 Heartland Championship will be remembered as one of the most powerful and significant seasons in North Otago Rugby history, a campaign that united players, clubs, and community and delivered success when it mattered most.From the first whistle, North Otago played with intent and belief. The squad embraced the challenge of Heartland rugby week after week, combining physicality with attacking ambition and a relentless commitment to one another. Performances grew stronger as the season pro...

North Otago Women’s XV vs Parkes Boars (Australia): A Historic Fixture

In September 2025, North Otago Rugby celebrated a landmark moment for women’s rugby, with the North Otago Women’s XV hosting the Parkes Boars, a touring Australian women’s club side, at the A&P Showgrounds in Oamaru. This match marked the first time a North Otago women’s team had competed against a touring Australian club side, creating a historic milestone in the growth of women’s rugby in the region.The fixture was part of an initiative to revive the North Ota...

2025 Year 7/8 Girls‑Only Rugby Program: A Historic Success

2025 was a landmark year for girls’ rugby in North Otago, marked by the launch and outstanding success of the Year 7/8 Girls‑Only Rugby Program. Designed to provide a fun, inclusive, and empowering pathway for young female players, the programme culminated in an exciting girls’ tournament in South Canterbury that not only showcased the talent and enthusiasm of Year 7 and Year 8 girls but also made history for the sport in our region.The programme was facilitated by Colleen ...

NORFU Community‑Led Strategy Day 2025: Empowering the Rugby Community

In February 2025, North Otago Rugby hosted a community-led strategy day at the long-serving sponsor, Road Metals, brining together stakeholders from across the rugby ecosystem, including schools, clubs, referee officials, players, coaches, teachers, volunteers, life members, partners, patrons, and community supporters. CEO Sene Naoupu and the team, brought the community together and created the space for expert facilitators Jono Brent (In Your Corner) and Lisa ...

2025 Burns Shield (Presidents Grade) Final: Kurow vs Old Boys

Kurow Rugby Club are the 2025 Burns Shield (Presidents Grade) champions following a closely contested final against Old Boys. In a competitive match that showcased resilience and club pride from both sides, Kurow secured victory to claim the Presidents Grade title and cap a strong season in the second-tier competition.The final brought together experience and emerging talent from both clubs, with Kurow ultimately prevailing in a spirited battle. The result marks an important achievement for...

Excelsior Retain Citizens Shields in Close 2025 Final

Excelsior RFC are the 2025 Fat Sally’s Citizens Shield champions after defeating Valley RFC 31–28 in a tightly contested final at the Oamaru Showgrounds.Played in difficult conditions, the final was marked by physicality, momentum shifts, and strong defensive efforts from both teams. Valley established early control and carried a narrow lead into the halftime break before Excelsior responded with improved accuracy and composure in the second half.With both sides in contention until the closi...

North Otago Rugby Announces Strategic Partnership with North Otago Motor Group

North Otago Rugby is proud to announce a major new partnership with North Otago Motor Group (NOMG) Toyota, marking the beginning of a dynamic three-year sponsorship that will power the Union’s mission of connection, growth, and community impact. This exciting collaboration brings together two locally driven organisations with strongly aligned values and a shared passion for bringing our communities and people together. Spanning 26 schools and 23 townships, the partners...

Kieran Hallett Joins North Otago Rugby as Technical Advisor

The North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kieran Hallett as Technical Advisor for the upcoming season. A highly experienced coach and former professional player, Hallett brings a wealth of expertise to the team. Hallett has been a key figure in Leinster Rugby’s coaching setup, currently serving as an Elite Player Development Officer. He was recently with the senior Leinster men’s team in South Africa, playing a pivotal role in their victory ...

Luke Herden named Head Coach for the 2025 Bunnings Heartland Championship

North Otago Rugby is delighted to announce Luke Herden as the Head Coach for the 2025 Bunnings Heartland Championship. Ralph Darling joins the coaching staff as Assistant Coach, with Kilifi Fangupo taking on the role of Defence Assistant Coach. Additionally, the team will receive technical advisory support from both Highlanders and Leinster Rugby. Herden, a former North Otago captain, made history as the first loan player to reach 60 caps for the province and captained the team to champions...

Fat Sally’s Restaurant Signs New 5 Year Sponsorship Agreement

On the back of such an entertaining 2024 Premier Club Season, Fat Sally’s owners, Tyler Burgess and Kristin Murdoch are excited to be on board long term.They both see the benefits of great exposure and the opportunity to be involved in a community sport that has so much history and passion.“We jumped at the chance to align with the North Otago Rugby Union for another five years and be part of one of the most even and exciting rugby club competitions in New Zealand”, said part owner, Tyler ...

Departing coach: ‘hell of a time’

"It's been a hell of a ride". After nine seasons with North Otago, and the past six as head coach, Jason Forrest is stepping down from the Heartland side."It’s just time," Forrest said."It’s been a hell of a time. I’ve been involved with this team since 2007, started when I got back from overseas as a player right through to now."It’s been a long shift."You sit back and you look at the good times, and you look at the bad times, and you mix them all together."Forrest, who played about 40 ...

Sene Naoupu appointed new CEO of North Otago Rugby Football Union

North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) are proud to announce the appointment of Irish rugby legend Sene Naoupu (née Taiti-Fanene) as their new CEO.The appointment marks a historic day in rugby as Naoupu, who’s also of Samoan decent from the villages Vaie’e Safata and Lotoso’a Saleimoa, becomes the first Pasifika female CEO of a New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Provincial Union.Her CV demonstrates her achievements and experiences owning her own business, leading equality campaigns and strategic p...

North Otago v Buller - Game Review

North Otago saved some of their best rugby for last, despite the wet playing surface, as they ran in nine tries to beat Buller 55-14 in Weston on Saturday.The Old Golds didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, with winger Ben McCarthy racing over for the opening try inside the first minute of play.Buller struck back through Joe Taylor who had to double back to collect a missed pass, he then managed to find a gap in the North Otago defence and raced away to score between the posts. Andrew...

North Otago named to play Buller

The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round eight of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on Buller in Weston for their final match of the season, with kickoff at 2:30pm.A reshuffled forward pack will see Jake Greenslade starting in place of Max Sawers, with Mateo Qolisese making his starting debut after returning from injury in recent weeks. Apenisa Tuiba jumps into the run on side this week, while regular prop Lisivani Tuifua gets a run in the b...

North Otago v King Country - Game Review

A tough run for North Otago continued up in Te Kuiti in the weekend. After a strong start, and a promising opening 40 minutes, North Otago came apart late in the game to lose 32-17 to King Country.The home side were first to score, Patrick Hedley landing a penalty kick from close to 40m out inside the opening 3 minutes. Although it was North Otago with the early power on attack.North Otago attacked the line from the restart, with winger Jamie Mullan making a nice run to the line and getting over...

North Otago Named to play King Country

The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round seven of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on King Country in Te Kuiti, with kickoff at 2:30pm. A livestream for this match is being provided via the King Country YouTube.Changes in the forward pack will see Max Sawers get his first start of the season at prop, with Jake Greenslade shifting to the reserves. Anthony Docherty returns to the starting side and will be partnered this week by Kasimila Vaihu...

North Otago v Mid Canterbury - Game Review

North Otago went close again, pushing Mid Canterbury all the way before ultimately going down 28-21 in Weston.It was another tight contest for North Otago, a match where the home side were more than competitive and showed they weren't far off the pace of the top sides in this years Heartland Championship. That has been the story of the season though, with North Otago going close in most games but still struggling to find a way to get the win.North Otago were first to strike when Greg Dyer opted ...

North Otago Named to play Mid Canterbury

The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round six of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on Mid Canterbury in Weston, with kickoff at 2:30pm.This week is all about Motor Neurone Disease, with our heartland side wearing a special one-off jersey which will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease NZ charitable trust. Entry to this match will be free thanks to the Oamaru Club, while the game will also be covered live on Sky Sport....

Community comes together to raise funds for motor neurone disease

Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand (MND NZ) is partnering up with North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) and Bunnings Timaru to help increase acceptance and understanding of motor neurone disease (MND) in the community and raise vital funds for those impacted by MND.NORFU is hosting a special day of rugby on Saturday 21 September as part of the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship, starting with North Otago v Mid Canterbury match and followed by a charity auction, with auction items includ...

North Otago named to play Horowhenua-Kapiti

The first North Otago side has been named for the opening round of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on Horowhenua-Kapiti at Whitestone Contracting Stadium 2, with kickoff at 2:30pm and Free Entry thanks to McKeown Petroleum.Starting XV:Jake GreensladeRyusei KatoSione TukalaAnthony DochertyFergus ReadSavenaca RabakaMat Duff (cc)Samuela BabiauJake MatthewsGreg DyerMavaetangi FinauMataitini FekeHayden ToddSeva DrumaBen McCarthyReserves: 16. Cullen Johns...

North Otago v South Canterbury - Game Review

It was a classic game of two halves in Temuka on Saturday. North Otago came out of the blocks firing to establish a handy halftime lead, before South Canterbury came racing back into the game in the second spell to take the win.North Otago took it to South Canterbury from the kickoff, making quick work of getting into opposition territory and attacking the try line. A couple players went close to the line, before prop Bradeley Harewood bundled his way over for the opening try inside two minutes....

North Otago Side Named to Play South Canterbury

The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round five of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on South Canterbury in Temuka, with kickoff at 2:00pm.A new lock combination is the feature of the forward pack, with Fegus Read switching to the number 4 jersey and Lawrence Leung-Wai making his starting debut this week.Mataitini Feke makes his return to the midfield, along with Seva Druma who comes back into the starting lineup at wing in place of Oli Knopp ...

North Otago v East Coast - Game Review

The might of the Ngāti Porou proved too strong, as North Otago struggled to get past East Coast in 24-18 loss in Weston.It was North Otago with the strong start as they went close to scoring early. First five Greg Dyer put a kick into the corner for winger Oli Knopp to run onto, only just being beaten to the ball by the covering East Coast defence. The home side got on the board minutes later, courtesy of a penalty to Dyer.Playing under advantage, North Otago chanced their arm with Dyer tucking...

North Otago named to play East Coast

The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round four of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on East Coast at the Weston Sports Ground, with kickoff at 2:30pm. There will be free entry thanks to the Oamaru Licensing Trust, plus a livestream available via our Facebook page.The foward pack remains largely unchanged from last week, with the only switch coming with the co-captains rotating places. Cameron Rowland will come into the starting lineup, with M...

North Otago v Wairarapa-Bush - Game Review

North Otago got their 2024 Heartland Championship campaign back on track with a comprehensive 69-19 victory over Wairarapa-Bush in Masteron on Saturday.It was a fast start for the Old Golds, who showed their intent to play running rugby from the outset. An easy shot at goal from a penalty was turned down in favour of a kick to touch, which resulted in an early try to Jake Greenslade. Greg Dyer converted from wide out for an early 7-0 lead.Wairarapa-Bush had the chance to close the gap after the ...