During 1997–1998, Manawatu entered into an amalgamation with Hawke's Bay, as the "Central Vikings", wearing orange and blue attire.

Manawatu have traditionally played in a distinctive green and white tramline jersey, which is thought to have been established in 1909.

[5] 1970s and early 1980s: First division era and Ranfurly shield reign The period from 1976 to 1983 saw Manawatu as one of the leading New Zealand rugby provinces.

[citation needed] Manawatu beat Auckland 12–10 at Eden Park in 1976 to win the Log 'o Wood, as the Ranfurly Shield is sometimes referred to, for the first time.

With prop Kent Lambert sent-off, Manawatu were reduced to 14-men in their defence of the Ranfurly Shield against the Counties side in 1977.

In the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the 1978 season Manawatu were leading North Auckland (now named Northland) 10–9 with time up on the clock.

However, the referee, Bill Adlam, from Wanganui, played 5–6 minutes of 'injury' time before awarding the visitors a penalty, due to an offside, close to the posts.

The referee then required a police escort off Showgrounds Oval (as it was known) while Manawatu fans showed their disgust and disappointment.

In the final minutes he scored a long range penalty, a dropped goal and a sideline conversion to lead the 'Boks home to a flattering 31–19 victory.

The Manawatu verses Springbok game was the first to witness the Police riot squads patrolling the streets as a pre-emptive measure, as opposed to them just turning up once trouble started.

In 1996 Manawatu and Hawke's Bay merged their teams to form the Central Vikings Rugby Union.

However, due to financial issues, the merger split back to Manawatu and Hawke's Bay as separate unions.

2006 onwards - return to the first division In 2005, Manawatu were invited along with four other unions, reduced to three after an amalgamation of Nelson Bays and Marlborough into Tasman, to play in the first division of a restructured National Provincial Championship, initially called (for sponsorship purposes) the Air New Zealand Cup.

It was the first time since 1988 Manawatu had fielded a team in the top grade and unlike the 1980s it was now a professional rugby competition.

In 2009, Central Energy Trust Arena was the venue for a Highlanders home game against the Bulls from South Africa.

In 1981, in his last touch of the ball in All Black rugby, Donaldson took a quick-thinking tap on a free kick late in the series-deciding test against South Africa.

[1] In 1986, Dalton was away with the New Zealand Cavaliers in South Africa which allowed Hemara to win selection for the All Blacks in the first test against France.

Injury prevented Hemara from making his much deserved test debut and Sean Fitzpatrick took his place.

Shocked NZ rugby when he announced he was leaving for the North Sydney Bears in the NSWRL for the 1982 season.

His subsequent professional rugby league career was considered unsuccessful, persistent injuries didn't help.

[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Manawatu had two theme songs during their 'glory' years, which were played on radio '2ZA' in the days leading up to the big games on Saturday.

In 2006, however, Manawatu did not win a game in the competition, which saw the team play against the likes of Auckland, Wellington and Otago.

Unfortunately large losses to Otago and eventual finalists Auckland and Canterbury and missing crucial bonus points, meant the Cyclones did not make the post-season.