Swindale Shield – ClubRugby.nz

Club rugby pre-season 2026 – what’s coming up in March?

by clubrugby - February 26, 2026February 27, 2026

The scheduled kick-offs of major club rugby competitions in Wellington (4 April), Manawatu (28 March), Hawke’s Bay (21 March) and Wairarapa-Bush and Horowhenua-Kapiti (both TBC) are in sight. All matches that have been collated below and ordered by date are assumed to be between ‘Premier [Senior A]’ squads unless stated, although

Countdown clock set for 2026 Swindale Shield with draw release

by clubrugby - October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

It’s a little over six months until the start of the 2026 Wellington club rugby season, but with Friday’s Premier first round competition draw release by the WRFU its expectation and anticipation is hanging in the air. Mark down Saturday 4 April 2026 for the opening round of the Premier first

Best & Fairest Teams of the Season 2025

by clubrugby - October 21, 2025

By Scott MacLean A regular of our end of season coverage is to name teams based on the Men’s Billy Wallace and Women’s Erin Rush Best & Fairest standings, which represent the outstanding and consistent performers across the club season. Last week the WRFU announced the two winners – Men’s winner

Esi Komaisavai and Harmony Kautai win Best & Fairest competitions

by clubrugby - October 14, 2025October 17, 2025

With some 50 tries between them in 2025, Esi Komaisavai and Harmony Kautai were worthy winners of the club rugby Best & Fairest competitions this year. By Scott MacLean & Steven White The winners of the two big individual club awards from Monday night's Wellington Rugby awards were Paremata-Plimmerton’s Esi Komaisavai

Premier grade refresh coming in 2026

by clubrugby - August 13, 2025

By Scott MacLean Wellington Rugby’s Premier Men’s competition will have a new look next year, but just what that might be is currently out for consultation. The current requirements were put in place for the 2015 season, aiming to give clubs greater stability without the threat of relegation. That provided a