Manawatu (National Provincial Championship)
 Official MRU emblem | ||
| Union | Manawatū Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Turbos | |
| Founded | 1886 | |
| Location | Takaro, Palmerston North, New Zealand | |
| Ground(s) | Central Energy Trust Arena (Capacity: 18,000) | |
| CEO | Doug Tietjens[1] | |
| Coach(es) | Wesley Clarke | |
| Captain(s) | TK Howden | |
| Most appearances | Gary Knight (145) | |
| Top scorer | Jason Holland (641) | |
| Most tries | Kenneth Granger (57) | |
| League(s) | Bunnings NPC | |
| 2024 | 14th | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Manawatu (often known as the Manawatu Turbos) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1886, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. The team is affiliated with the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are green and white.
Current squad
The Manawatū Turbos squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC is:[2]
| Manawatu Turbos squad | ||
|---|---|---|
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Props
Hookers
Locks
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Loose forwards
Halfbacks (scrum-halves)
First five-eighths (fly-halves)
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Midfielders (centres)
Outside backs
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Honours
Manawatu have been overall Champions on one occasion, winning the title in 1980. Their full list of honours include:[3][4]
- National Provincial Championship First Division
- Winners: 1980
- ITM Cup Championship Division
- Winners: 2014
Current Super Rugby players
Players named in the 2025 Manawatu Turbos squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
References
- ^ "Homecoming for Doug Tietjens". Manawatu Rugby (Press release). 13 February 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ @manawaturugby; (15 July 2025). "OUR HIGGINS CONCRETE MANAWATŪ TURBOS". Retrieved 17 July 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "National Provincial Championship winners, 1976–2014". Te Ara. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Mitre 10 Cup". Rugby Heartland. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Fijian Drua unveil 2025 squad" (Press release). Fijian Drua. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Game Readiness and Maturity Key in 2025 Hurricanes Squad". Hurricanes (Press release). 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Highlanders team to play the Fijian Drua". Highlanders (Press release). 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- ^ "Highlanders name squad for 2025 DHL Super Rugby competition" (Press release). Highlanders. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Moana Pasifika name eight debutants for first match against Force". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Moana Pasifika name squad for 2025". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.