Rugby History – ClubRugby.nz

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 128: Mick Horan

by clubrugby - June 3, 2026

Mick Horan was the talismanic hooker and captain of Marist Brothers Old Boys teams that enjoyed a purple patch in Wellington club rugby in the early 1960s. Horan played for Marist between 1955-65 and was credited with playing over 170 consecutive Senior A matches. He was involved in four winning Jubilee

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 127: Winston McCarthy

by clubrugby - May 27, 2026

“Listen…! It’s a goal!” One of the most memorable spoken moments in New Zealand sporting sporting broadcast history, and uttered by Wellington rugby commentator Winston McCarthy Winston John McCarthy was a leading rugby personality in the middle years of the twentieth century and he remains one of the most famous rugby broadcasters

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 127: Jim Kinvig (Onslow)

by clubrugby - May 20, 2026

James ‘Big Jim’ Kinvig was a leading player for Onslow throughout the 1950s and early 1960s and he played a number of times for the Wellington representative team. Kinvig was well known as a big goal-kicking forward, whose most usual position was lock but he also played at prop and No.

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 126: Dave Harker (Athletic)

by clubrugby - May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

Dave Harker was one of the best performing and consistent forwards in Wellington club rugby throughout much of the 1950s and early 1960s. Harker was a lock who played for the Athletic club. Harker was Athletic’s captain in 1956 and 1957, forming an effective lineout partnership with All Black Nev MacEwan

Pioneers of Rugby in Wellington 125: Bill Fleming

by clubrugby - May 6, 2026

Bill Fleming was a slashing home-grown midfield back who was a fixture in Wellington club rugby and in Wellington representative squads over several seasons in the second half of the 1950s to the early 1960s. He was later heavily involved with the Upper Hutt club in coaching and administration and