The Colours Of Hurricanes Provincial Union Rugby

Have you ever thought about the colours of the jerseys worn by our Provincial Union representatives? And have you ever wondered what they represent? In general they are symbolic of their local communities, their history, the people who support rugby in these regions; their turangawaewae.

In our Hurricanes rugby history, Provincial Union colours were selected as the result of fashion, history, the environment. Back in the late nineteenth century, when many Provincial Union colours were decided, in some cases it was just easier and less costly to use basic colours (like black, white, green and blue), rather than brighter colours.

In October 1879, the Wellington Rugby Union decided on black jerseys and shorts, the colours of the Wellington Football Club, the second oldest club in New Zealand. The colours of the Wellington Football Club (black and gold) were those of the 45th Irish Regiment.

In April 1886, at a meeting chaired by Mr F Seed, Wairarapa decided that green jerseys and black shorts would be worn by their team, with one suggestion being that it was a colour not used by other provinces at the time.

In September 1889, Hawkes Bay adopted black and white jerseys. Black was the colour of athletic champions; the first national championship athletics meeting was in Hawkes Bay in 1887.

In April 1891, Wanganui decided on blue and black with white shorts. These colours were those of the Marist Brothers, who in 1870 established the rugby game in the region.

In April 1896, Manawatu adopted green and white hoops; green from the Manawatu and Palmerston North official crests, signifying abundance.

In June 1911, Poverty Bay selected scarlet jerseys and white shorts. Scarlet from the prevalent pohutukawa tree associated with the Maori warrior Tawhaki, combined with the white sands of the coast-line.

In 1921, East Coast, formerly a sub-union of Hawkes Bay was formed, selecting sky blue, associated with Ranginui, the Sky Father of Maori legend.

In March 1927, Horowhenua adopted red, white and blue hoops as part of its merger with Manawatu; the combined union became known as Manawhenua. In 1933 when the combined unions separated, Horowhenua kept the colours.

The point is that your Provincial Union jersey carries a meaning and tradition, going back 140 years. It represents something about your local community and its history. Today’s Hurricane’s jersey is golden yellow in colour. If you combine all of our Provincial Union colours, in the right proportions, you end up with the Hurricanes colour. And it is the combination of the parts that make the whole.

(Published : 04/10/17)