Ferdinand the bull

By Virginia Winder

Taranaki rugby mascot Ferdinand the Bull survived one fire, a goring from boar tusks, a broken back and an attack by police.

But in the end he became a victim of fashion.

It all began in the early 1950s, when Taranaki supporters decided to challenge Waikato's dairy industry icon.

An article published in a Taranaki Rugby Annual 1978-79 tells the story.

It says that in 1952, when the northern foes held the Ranfurly Shield, Mooloo the cow was the emblem of Waikato.

Murray Mitchell and Geoff Bendall built the bull in Geoff's parents garage. "We built it out of straw, number eight wire and papier mache," said Mr Mitchell.

Bovine birth

And so Ferdinand was born.

His first trip out onto Rugby Park, with Mr Mitchell as the back legs and Mr Bendall as the front, was a rainy day - not ideal for a papier mache bull.

"It was pissing down with rain - and the ground was all sloppy. Before we even got out onto the field we'd fallen over," said Mr Mitchell. "We went out and took a bow. The crowd went burko they thought it was wonderful. The guy on the microphone said 'you've heard of Mooloo - well now you've got Ferdinand

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