The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union (MCRFU) is a rugby province in the South Island of New Zealand.
The Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union was formed in 1904 as Ashburton Country, first as a sub-union of the South Canterbury Rugby Football Union and then of the Canterbury Rugby Football Union. The union gained full status in 1927, and changed its name to Mid Canterbury in 1952.
Mid Canterbury Rugby Football Union is made up of 9 clubs:
The Senior Club Champions in recent years were:
The Mid Canterbury team play from Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton.
In the NPC Mid Canterbury won:
In the Heartland Championship which commenced in 2006 Mid Canterbury have won:
There was no Heartland Championship in 2020 due to Covid 19 restrictions.
The Hanan Shield is one of the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1946, the Hanan Shield is based on a challenge system played between North Otago, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury.
Mid Canterbury have never held the Ranfurly Shield. Unsuccessful challenges include:
There have been 3 players selected for the All Blacks whilst playing their club rugby in Mid Canterbury.
Mid Canterbury along with Canterbury, Tasman, Buller, South Canterbury and West Coast make up the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise.