Bush Rugby Football Union
The Bush Rugby Football Union was a provincial rugby union team from New Zealand, existing between 1890 and 1971.
The union was formed on 19 April 1890 at Pahiatua by the Pahiatua, Woodville and Eketāhuna rugby football clubs. The original plan was to include Dannevirke and name the team "70 Mile Bush", but the Dannevirke club instead opted to remain part of Hawke's Bay [Rugby Union|Hawke's Bay].
In 1971 Bush amalgamated with the Wairarapa [Rugby Football Union] to form Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union. In 1950 the Wairarapa and Bush unions put up a combined team to play the touring British Lions, losing 13–27.
Ranfurly Shield
Bush had seven unsuccessful challenges for the Ranfurly Shield between 1927 and 1968:- 1927: Wairarapa 53 vs Bush 3, at Masterton
- 1928: Wairarapa 57 vs Bush 11, at Masterton
- 1939: Southland 38 vs Bush 0, at Invercargill
- 1957: Wellington 22 vs Bush 9, at Wellington
- 1962: Auckland 46 vs Bush 6, at Auckland
- 1965: Taranaki 33 vs Bush 6, at New Plymouth
- 1968: Hawke's Bay 36 vs Bush 6, at Napier