World Rugby Under 20 Championship. Currently the country's top age-grade side, and also sometimes referred to as the "Baby Blacks." Heartland XV – established in 1988 to expose players from Divisions Two and Three in the Air New Zealand NPC to rugby at a higher level. After the 2006 reorganisation of the NPC into the fully professional Air New Zealand Cup, now Mitre 10 Cup, and the nominally amateur Heartland Championship, the team now consists solely of players from the Heartland Championship. NZ Schools – a development team of school players who move up to the Under 20s and ultimately the All Blacks. Women Black Ferns – the national women's rugby union team of New Zealand. Sevens – the national women's rugby sevens team of New Zealand. Referees The New Zealand Rugby Union have a number of contracted referees who officiated in levels from Heartland matches to ITM Cup and Super Rugby. The system in which referees are selected, appointed to matches and progress through to the next stage is very structured with a number of referee coaches, viewers and managers assisting them with their performances. However, only 5 referees are on professional contracts, Glen Jackson, Brendon Pickerill, Ben O'Keeffe, Paul Williams, Nick Briant and Mike Fraser. The professionals are appointed to refereeing Super Rugby matches by SANZAAR with some refereeing test rugby. Provincial unions The NZRU comprises 17 North Island provincial unions and 9 South Island provincial unions. North Island The North Island provincial unions are: South Island The South Island provincial unions are: See also List of New Zealand rugby union teams New Zealand Rugby Museum Notes and references External links Official organisational website of the NZRU Sports organizations established in 1892 Rugby Union Rugby union governing bodies in Oceania World Rugby members 1892 establishments in New Zealand