Manawatu (often known as the Manawatu Turbos) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1886, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. The team is affiliated with the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are green and white.
 Official MRU emblem | ||
| Union | Manawatū Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Turbos | |
| Founded | 1886 | |
| Location | Takaro, Palmerston North, New Zealand | |
| Ground(s) | Central Energy Trust Arena (Capacity: 18,000) | |
| CEO | Andrea Jackson[1] | |
| Coach(es) | Mike Rogers | |
| Captain(s) | Jason Emery and Brayden Iose | |
| Most appearances | Gary Knight (145) | |
| Top scorer | Jason Holland (641) | |
| Most tries | Kenneth Granger (57) | |
| League(s) | Bunnings NPC | |
| 2023 | 13th | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Current squad
The Manawatu Turbos squad for the 2023 Bunnings NPC:[2]
| Manawatu Turbos squad | ||
|---|---|---|
Props
Hookers
Locks
| Loose forwards
Halfbacks (scrum-halves) First five-eighths (fly-halves) | Midfielders (centres)
Outside backs
|
| (cc) Denotes team co-captains, Bold denotes player is internationally capped, REP denotes a replacement squad player, INJ denotes as injured player. |
Honours
Manawatu have been overall Champions on one occasion, winning the title in 1980. Their full list of honours include:[8][9]
- National Provincial Championship First Division
- Winners: 1980
- ITM Cup Championship Division
- Winners: 2014
Current Super Rugby players
Players named in the 2023 Manawatu Turbos squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.[10][11]
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Brett Cameron | Hurricanes |
| Tima Fainga'anuku | Moana Pasifika |
| TK Howden | Hurricanes |
| Brayden Iose | Hurricanes |
| Tyler Laubscher | Hurricanes |