The Story Behind the Numbers

Dating back to the formation of the Union in 1879, any player who played at least one match for the Wellington ‘A’ team will be given a Wellington Rep Number. Those living, or their families, will be eventually presented with a plaque recognising their time in Wellington Rugby’s famous black and gold colours. The listing is underway with both Men’s and Women’s players being processed.  

The WRFU formed a small committee of researchers and advisors to investigate finding the correct full names and ‘A’ team appearances across the years. 

The committee, with Wellington Rugby Football Union Life Member Peter Scott as the lead, also includes former All Black captain Andy Leslie, broadcaster Keith Quinn, and researchers and historians Richard Boag and Mike Parkinson. 

The first numbering, unveiling and presentation to former players took place at a ‘Friends of Athletic Park’ function at the Shepherds Arms Hotel in 2020. Several former players were honoured in front of their friends and rugby associates at that function. 

The ‘Friends of Athletic Park’ group was formed eight years ago and is an unofficial yearly meeting celebrating the memories of local players and fans from any club in Wellington who played or watched the game on their beloved Athletic Park. Further functions are being targeted to honour more reps. 

The first former Wellington ‘A’ players to be honoured and numbered were Barry Guy (1087), Robert Gray (1097), Brian Coulter (1081), Kevin Horan (1143), Richard Willis (1146), Peter Osborne (971) and Pat Myers (1060).