Canterbury

Canterbury had already lost the ground that made its reputation. Lancaster Park, where the province built its history, came down after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Founded in Timaru on 26 July 1879, Canterbury is the oldest provincial union in New Zealand, though the game it built its name on was played long before the current ground existed. The Red and Blacks have taken the national provincial title fifteen times under five different competition names, from the old First Division through the Air New Zealand Cup, the ITM Cup, the Mitre 10 Cup and, most recently, the Bunnings NPC in 2025.

What has mattered more than any single cup is the flow of players the province has sent north into black jerseys. Canterbury has produced more All Blacks than any other region, and it remains the main feeder for the Crusaders.

Matches against Wellington are contested for the Harry Saundercock Memorial Trophy. In 2018, Julie Patterson became the first woman to serve as the union's president.