Waikato (National Provincial Championship)
New Zealand rugby union team, based in Hamilton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Waikato (often known as the Waikato Mooloos) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1921, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton in the Waikato region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are red, yellow and black.
 WRU official emblem | ||
| Union | Waikato Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Mooloos | |
| Founded | 1921 | |
| Location | Whitiora, Hamilton, New Zealand | |
| Ground | FMG Stadium Waikato (Capacity: 25,000) | |
| CEO | Amy Marfell [1] | |
| Coach | Leon Holden | |
| Captain | TBA | |
| Most appearances | Ian Foster and Graham Purvis (148) | |
| Top scorer | Matthew Cooper (1,604) | |
| Most tries | Bruce Smith (70) | |
| League | Bunnings NPC | |
| 2025 | 7th Quarter-finals | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Current squad
The Waikato Mooloos squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC is: [2]
| Waikato Mooloos squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers
Locks |
Loose forwards
Halfbacks (scrum-halves)
First five-eighths (fly-halves) |
Midfielders (centres) Outside backs |
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Honours
Waikato have been overall Champions on three occasions, winning the titles in 1992, 2006 and 2021. Their full list of honours include:[5][6]
- National Provincial Championship Second Division North Island
- Winners: 1980
- National Provincial Championship Second Division
- Winners: 1986
- National Provincial Championship First Division
- Winners: 1992
- Winners: 2006
- Mitre 10 Cup Championship Division
- Winners: 2018
- Bunnings NPC Premiership Division
- Winners: 2021
Current Super Rugby players
Players named in the 2025 Waikato Mooloos squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.[7][8][9][10][11][12]