Marlborough Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played from 1888 until 2005 when they merged with the neighbouring Nelson Bays Rugby Union to become the Tasman Rugby Union.
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Marlborough Rugby Union |
| Nickname(s) | The Red Devils |
| Colours | Red |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Exited | 2005 |
| Former details | |
| Ground(s) | |
| Competition | NPC |
Marlborough was founded in 1888 and played at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim.[1]
Championships
editMarlborough won three New Zealand Championships during the old NPC, consecutive South Island Division with two titles in 1978 and 1979, and Division 3 in 1997.
Ranfurly Shield
editMarlborough held the Ranfurly Shield briefly in the early 1970s which they won against Canterbury in 1973.[1] They managed six defences before losing to South Canterbury, in the second challenge of 1974. Their last challenge came in the first challenge of the 2005 season, however Marlborough could not match Canterbury's strength this time and lost heavily, 3–67.
Hong Kong Sevens
editMarlborough reached the final of the 1977 Hong Kong Sevens, finishing runner-up, losing 18–28 to Fiji.[2]
Merger
editMarlborough and Nelson Bays Rugby Union commenced playing as a merged team in the Tasman Rugby Union in the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Palenski, Ron (2005). The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Rugby. Auckland: Hodder Moa. p. 395.
- ^ "Fiji wins 'sevens'". The Press. 2 May 1977. p. 34.
- ^ "Tasman rugby". Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
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