List of rugby union clubs in Australia

The highest level of provincial rugby union in Australia is Super Rugby. There are four Australian teams in this competition, which also features teams from Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

List of rugby union clubs in Australia
CountryAustralia
Governing bodyAustralian Rugby Union
National team(s)Australia
Nickname(s)Wallabies
First played25 July 1839,[1] Sydney, New South Wales
Registered players82,818 (total)
38,010 (adult)[2]
Clubs848
Club competitions
Audience records
Single match109,874
Australia v New Zealand, (Telstra Stadium)
15 July 2000

For most of the history of the sport in Australia, the country has had no national club competition. The first attempt at such a competition, the Australian Rugby Championship, was launched in 2007 with eight teams, but lasted only one season before the nation's governing body, the Australian Rugby Union, decided to discontinue the competition due to financial losses. The current national domestic league, the National Rugby Championship, was launched in 2014 with nine teams. From the demise of the ARC to the launch of the NRC, the top level competitions of the Shute Shield in Sydney and the Queensland Premier League in Brisbane served as the next highest level of club competition in the country. Numerous club and representative competitions serve the rugby playing community below these two competitions.

Super Rugby

Former:

National Competitions

National Rugby Championship

Former:

Australian Rugby Shield

The Australian Rugby Shield is a former annual competition held between amateur representative teams from each state.

New South Wales and ACT
Main article: Rugby union in New South Wales

New South Wales Rugby Union

Shute Shield

Former / Defunct teams:

New South Wales Country Rugby Union
Central Coast Rugby Union
Central Northern Rugby Union

Former teams:

Central West Rugby Union
  • Bathurst Bulldogs
  • Bathurst City
  • Blayney
  • Canowindra Pythons
  • Coolah
  • Coonabarabran Kookaburras
  • Cowra Eagles
  • CSU - Bathurst
  • Cudal Cobras
  • Dubbo Kangaroos
  • Dubbo Rhinos
  • Forbes Platypi
  • Geurie Goats Rugby Club
  • Molong Magpies
  • Mudgee Wombats
  • Narromine Gorillas
  • Orange City
  • Orange Emus
  • Orange Waratahs
  • Parkes Boars
  • Trangie Tigers
  • USO - Orange
  • Wellington Redbacks
  • Yeoval

Former CWRU clubs:

  • Blackheath Wildfires
  • Cudal
  • Lithgow Devils
  • Oberon
  • Rydal Razorbacks
Far North Coast Rugby Union
  • Ballina
  • Bangalow
  • Byron Bay
  • Casino
  • Casuarina
  • Evans River
  • Iluka
  • Kyogle
  • Lennox Head
  • Lismore
  • Mullumbimby
  • Murwillumbah
  • Richmond Range
  • Southern Cross University
  • Wollongbar/Alstonville
  • Woolgoolga Whitepointers
  • Yamba
Far South Coast Rugby Union

This union is officially affiliated with the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union instead of the NSW union.

  • Batemans Bay
  • Braidwood
  • Broulee
  • Sharks
  • Ulladulla
  • Vincentia
Illawarra Rugby Union
  • Avondale
  • Bowral
  • Bundanoon
  • Camden Rams camdenrugby.com.au
  • Lions Rugby
  • Kiama
  • Shamrocks
  • Shoalhaven
  • Tech Waratahs
  • University
  • Vikings
  • Wollondilly
  • Albion Park
Mid North Coast Rugby Union
  • Coffs Harbour Snappers and Marlins
  • Hastings Valley Vikings
  • Kempsey Cannonballs
  • Port Macquarie Pirates
  • Bowraville Goannas
  • Wauchope Thunder

Former clubs

  • Urunga-Bellinger valley rugby club
  • Nambucca River Breakers R.U.F.C
New England Rugby Union

Former NERU clubs:

  • Armidale City
  • Armidale Old Boys
  • City United (1994-2002)
  • Earle Page College (1964-1984 and 1989-1990)
  • Guy Fawkes Ebor
  • Gwydir River Rats (Bingara)
  • Hillgrove
  • Page-Wright Barbarians (1986-1988)
  • Teachers College (TC) - The Chalkies
  • Tenterfield Bumblebees
  • University College
  • United Colleges - The Dirty Ducks (1974–93)
  • Uralla Miners
  • Walcha Rams

City-United Historical note: During the 1994 pre-season, it became clear that neither United nor Armidale City would have enough players to field four grades or be competitive. Given that quite a few of City's squad were former United players, NERU Secretary and former United President Dick Croft encouraged the two clubs to join forces, and City United was born. The new club competed strongly for the next eight years before merging with Armidale Old Boys for the 2002 season. This resulted in the new Armidale Blues Rugby Club, which combines the history and tradition of City, the professionalism and competitiveness of Old Boys, and the spirit and student depth of United.

Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union
  • Singleton
  • Nelson Bay
  • Waratahs
  • Wanderers
  • Merewether Carlton Rugby Club
  • Hamilton Hawks
  • University
  • Maitland
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Southern Beaches
  • Muswellbrook
  • Pokolbin
  • Southern Lakes
  • Griffins
Southern Inland

This union is also affiliated with the ACT union instead of a NSW body.

Western Plains Rugby Union
  • Bourke Rams
  • Brewarrina Brumbies
  • Cobar Camels
  • Coonamble Rams
  • Gulargambone Galahs
  • Bogan Bulls (Nyngan)
  • Walgett Rams
  • Warren Pumas

New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union

First Division

Second Division

Third Division

Fourth Division

  • Blacktown
  • Briars
  • Canterbury
  • Colleagues Convicts
  • Macquarie Uni
  • Rouse Hill
  • Sydney Harlequins
  • Sydney Irish

Fifth Division

not contested

Sixth Division

  • North-West
  • Chatswood
  • Collaroy
  • Dee Why
  • ICMS
  • Lane Cove
  • Manly Savers
  • Merrylands (TBC)
  • Roseville
  • Terrey Hills
  • Wakehurst

South-East

  • Alexandria
  • Engadine
  • Burraneer
  • Clovelly
  • Fairvale/Lansvale
  • Maccabi
  • Menai
  • Wollondilly

Australian Capital Territory (including areas of southern New South Wales)
Main article: Rugby union in the Australian Capital Territory

ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union

ACTRU Premier Division

The following teams compete in first and second division competitions

  • Boorowa Rugby Club
  • Bungendore RUFC
  • Cooma Rugby Club
  • Crookwell Rugby Club
  • Defence Academy Rugby Club
  • Goulburn Rugby Union
  • Hall Rugby Club
  • Harden RUFC
  • Jindabyne Rugby Club
  • RMC Rugby Club
  • Taralga RUFC
  • Yass RUFC

South Coast Zone
  • Batemans Bay RUFC
  • Bega Valley RUFC
  • Bermagui-Cobargo Sharks RC
  • Bombala Rugby Club
  • Braidwood RUFC
  • Broulee Dolphins RUFC
  • Milton Rugby Club
  • Narooma & Districts Whales RC

Southern Inland Zone
  • Albury-Wodonga RUFC
  • Cootamundra RUFC
  • Denilquin Drovers
  • Grenfell Rugby Club
  • Griffith RUFC
  • Hay Cutters
  • Leeton Phantoms RUFC
  • Rivcoll Red RUFC
  • Temora RUFC
  • Tumut RUFC
  • Wagga Agricultural College RUFC
  • Wagga City RUFC
  • Wagga Wagga Crows Junior Rugby Union
  • Wagga Waratahs RUFC
  • West Wyalong Junior Rugby Union
  • Young RUFC

Northern Territory
Main article: Rugby union in the Northern Territory

Northern Territory Rugby Union

Darwin Club Rugby

'A' & 'B' grade competition:

  • Casuarina Cougars
  • Darwin Dragons
  • Palmerston Crocs
  • South Darwin
  • Swampdogs
  • University Pirates

Central Australian Rugby Union
  • Alice Springs Dingo Cubs
  • Devils Rugby Union Football Club
  • Alice Springs Eagles
  • Kiwi Warriors RUFC

Katherine Rugby Union
  • Barbarians Rugby Union Football Club
  • Brahmans Rugby Union Football Club
  • Pirates Rugby Union Football Club
  • Tindal Lions Rugby Union Football Club

Other teams
  • East Arnhem Rugby

East Arnhem Rugby runs a junior rugby competition between April and August. While not part of a regular competition, East Arnhem Rugby provides competition for Senior Players by entering in 7's Tournaments.[6]

  • Jabiru Bushratz

Previously part of the Darwin Club Rugby B grade competition, the Bushratz are currently not fielding a team.

Queensland
Main article: Rugby union in Queensland

Queensland Rugby Union

Queensland Premier Rugby
Other teams
Previously included, the Stingrays are currently not fielding teams in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition as of 2014.

Queensland Country Rugby Union
Bundaberg and District Rugby Union
  • Alloway Falcons
  • Bundaberg Barbarians
  • East Coast Buccaneers
  • Isis Crushers
Cairns and District Rugby Union
  • Barron-Trinity Bulls
  • Brothers Rugby Union (Cairns)
  • Cairns Old Crocs Rugby Union
  • Cairns Wanderers
  • Innisfail & District Rugby
  • JCU Mariners
  • Port Douglas Rugby Union
  • Southside Crusaders Sports & Culture
  • Tablelands Rugby
Central Highlands Rugby Union
  • Capella Rugby Union
  • Clermont Rugby Union
  • Emerald Rugby
  • Moranbah Bulls
  • Rolleston Rugby Union
Central Queensland Rugby Union
  • Biloela Rugby
  • Blackwater Rugby
  • Brothers Rugby Union (Rockhampton)
  • Capricorn Coast Rugby
  • Colts Rugby Club
  • Dawson Valley Rugby Club
  • Frenchville Pioneers
  • Gladstone Rugby Club
  • Mount Morgan Rugby
  • Rockhampton Boars
  • University Central Queensland Rugby
Darling Downs Rugby Union
  • Condamine Rugby Union
  • Dalby and District Rugby Union Football Club
  • Goondiwindi Rugby
  • Highfields Redbacks Rugby Union
  • Roma Rugby Union
  • South Burnett Rugby
  • St George & District Rugby
  • Toowoomba Bears Rugby
  • Toowoomba Rangers Rugby
  • University Of Southern Queensland Rugby
  • Warwick & Districts Rugby
Mackay District Rugby Union
  • Bowen Rugby
  • Brothers Rugby Union (Mackay)
  • City Rugby Club (Mackay)
  • Kuttabul Rugby
  • Proserpine/Whitsunday Rugby Union
  • Slade Point Rugby
Mt Isa Rugby Union
  • Cloncurry Rugby
  • Euros Rugby Union
  • Keas Rugby
  • Warrigals Rugby
Gold Coast District Rugby Union
Sunshine Coast Rugby Union
  • Caboolture Rugby Union
  • Caloundra Rugby Union
  • Fraser Coast Rugby Union
  • Gympie Rugby Union
  • Maroochydore Rugby Union
  • Nambour Rugby Union
  • Noosa District Rugby Union
  • University of the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union
Townsville and Districts Rugby Union
  • Brothers Rugby Union (Townsville)
  • Burdekin Rugby Union
  • Charters Towers Rugby Union
  • Ingham Rugby Union
  • James Cook University of North Queensland Rugby Union
  • North Ward Old Boys Rugby
  • Ross River Redskins
  • Teachers West Rugby Union
  • Western Suburbs Rugby Union
Western Queensland Rugby Union
  • Barcaldine Rugby Union
  • Collegians Rugby Union
  • Longreach Rugby Union

Queensland Suburban Rugby Union

List does not include Queensland Premier Rugby clubs that also field teams in the Suburban competitions.

  • Ag Vet Rugby Union
  • Beenleigh and District Rugby Union
  • Brisbane Irish Rugby Football Club
  • Easts Longhorns Rugby Union
  • Everton Park Rugby Union
  • Goodna Rugby Union
  • Ipswich Rangers Rugby Club
  • Logan City Rugby Union
  • Med XV Rugby Union
  • Nerang Rugby Union
  • Pine Rivers Boars Rugby Union
  • Pine Rivers Pumas Rugby Union
  • Redcliffe Rugby Union
  • Redlands Rugby Union
  • Riverside Rugby Union Club
  • Southern Bay Rugby Union
  • Springfield Rugby Union
  • St Leo's College Old Boys Rugby Union
  • TC Beirne School of Law Rugby Union
  • UQ - Gatton Rugby Union
  • Wynnum Rugby Union Club

South Australia

Rugby Union South Australia

SA Club Rugby

Tasmania

Tasmanian Rugby Union

Victoria
Main article: Rugby union in Victoria

Rugby Victoria
  • Victorian Club Rugby
  • Ballarat Rugby Union Football Club - https://ballaratrugby.com.au/
  • Bendigo Rugby Club
  • Border Army RUFC
  • Boroondara RUFC
  • Box Hill Rugby Club
  • Cerberus RUFC
  • Cobram Rugby Union Club
  • Deniliquin RUFC
  • Echuca Moama Barbarians
  • Eltham Rugby Club
  • Endeavour Hills Rugby Club
  • Footscray Rugby Club
  • Geelong Rugby Club
  • Harlequin Rugby Club
  • Maroondah RUFC
  • Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club
  • Melbourne University Rugby Football Club
  • Melton Rugby Club
  • Monash University Rugby Club
  • Moorabbin Rugby Club
  • Northern Rugby Club
  • Power House Rugby Club
  • Puckapunyal Rugby Club
  • Shepparton Rugby Union Club
  • Southern Districts RUFC
  • Warrnambool Plovers Rugby Union Club
  • Wyndham City Rhinos RUC

Western Australia
Main article: Rugby union in Western Australia

Rugby Western Australia

RugbyWA Competition

WA Country RU
Eastern Goldfields WA Competition
  • Boulder RUFC
  • Bushwackers RUFC
  • Esperance RUFC
  • Kalgoorlie Stormers Rugby Club
  • Kambalda RUFC
Great Southern Rugby Union
  • Albany RUFC (Inc.)
  • Denmark Brothers RC
  • Dryandra-Narrogin RUFC
  • Katanning RC
Northern Division RU
  • Geraldton Internationals RC
  • Paraburdoo RC
South West WA Competition
  • Bridgetown RUFC
  • Bunbury City RUFC
  • Collie RC
  • Dunsborough RUFC
  • Leeuwin-Margaret River RUFC

Other teams
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See also

References
  1. "History of the ARU". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2006.
  2. International Rugby Board Website:http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000007/index.html Archived 2012-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
  3. https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5222426/tamworth-magpies-rugby-club-align-with-new-england-rugby-union/
  4. http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/4183534/wright-rugby-side-on-the-rise/
  5. https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5222426/tamworth-magpies-rugby-club-align-with-new-england-rugby-union/
  6. http://www.ntrugby.com.au/clubs/east-arnhem-rugby-union/
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