When the New Zealand Maori rugby team played their first ever game and won, they set the standard for all the games to follow. They also established a playing culture and style for which they have since become famous, in New Zealand and around the world.

Since that first game 100 years ago, New Zealand Maori rugby teams have been an inspiration for generations of young, talented players – offering a pathway to sporting excellence, and providing New Zealand with a representative team renowned for its pride, tenacity and moments of sheer sporting brilliance.

In this new stamp release, we pay tribute to the players, coaches, administrators and supporters who have taken New Zealand Maori rugby through the decades, overcoming challenges to emerge stronger and more relevant than ever. One hundred years of the New Zealand Māori rugby team

The Birth of Maori Rugby

 In 1872, One Wirihana, the first Māori known to have played in an organised game of 20-a-side rugby took the field in Whanganui. In the Native Team of 1888–89, Tom Ellison introduced the haka and the black jersey with the silver fern on the chest, and from then Māori rugby has long enjoyed a special place in New Zealand sport. On 21 May 1910 the first official New Zealand Māori team played its inaugural game in Rotorua against the Rotorua sub-union. The New Zealand Māori team won 25–5.

The Team

The recent successes of the New Zealand Māori rugby team on the international stage (winners of the Pacific Cup in 2008, for example) and the number of Māori players in the current All Black team reflect both the affinity and ability Māori have for the game of rugby. Great Māori rugby players of the past such as Joe Warbrick, Wiremu Parata, Alex Takarangi, Tom French, George Nēpia, Waka Nathan, Pat Walsh, Mac Herewini, Tane Norton, Sid Going and Buck Shelford have helped pave the way for current players such as Piri Weepu, Liam Messam, Tāmati Ellison, Isaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer, Hosea Gear and Aled De Malmanche. With young Māori players like Aaron Cruden, Robby Robinson and others following in their footsteps the future of Māori rugby looks bright.

The Celebration 

Sealord New Zealand Māori Centenary Series In 2010 the NZRU and Māori rugby are recognising the 100 years of outstanding contribution which Māori rugby has made to New Zealand rugby. The three-match “Sealord New Zealand Māori Centenary Series” will take place in June and includes two internationals. The first match will be against Ireland in Rotorua and the second, five days later, against England in Napier. The opening match of the Sealord Series will be in Whāngarei against the New Zealand Barbarians. This match will also be the first game played at the newly built Northland Events Centre.

Source New Zealand Post http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz

published June 8th, 2010