Heartland Championship
The Heartland Championship is made up of twelve teams largely based in towns and rural areas of the country.
During the regular season, teams play a round robin competition before finals match ups are decided depending on where teams finished. Teams finishing 1-4 during the regular season then go on to the semifinals and final of the Meads Cup. Teams finishing 5-8 during the regular season go on to the semifinals and final of the Lochore Cup. Both cups have been named after two greats of New Zealand Rugby: Sir Colin Meads and Sir Brian Lochore.
Alongside the Meads Cup and the Lochore Cup, Heartland Championship teams have the opportunity to challenge for Bill Osborne Taonga. The Taonga was introduced in 2021 to give Heartland Championship rugby its own challenge trophy, mirroring the tradition of the Ranfurly Shield in the NPC and the JJ Stewart Trophy in the Farah Palmer Cup.
Heartland Championship teams can also challenge the current Ranfurly Shield holders (currently within the NPC). If the Ranfurly Shield is won by a Heartland Championship side, the holders must accept challenges from visiting teams at each home game that takes place while they are shield holders - like the JJ Stewart Trophy in the Farah Palmer Cup competition. This challenge system see's the Shield move around the country and is one of the most coveted titles in New Zealand rugby.
For more information about the Heartland Championship, including draws and recent news, check out heartlandchampionship.co.nz
