The highest level of provincial rugby union in Australia is Super Rugby. There are five Australian teams in this competition, which also features teams from New Zealand and Fiji.
List of rugby union clubs in Australia | |
---|---|
Governing body | Rugby Australia |
First played | 25 July 1839,[1] Sydney, New South Wales |
Registered players | 82,818 (total) 38,010 (adult)[2] |
Clubs | 848 |
Club competitions | |
Audience records | |
Single match | 109,874 Australia v New Zealand, (Telstra Stadium) 15 July 2000 |
Australia currently has 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 (now Rugby Australia), decided to discontinue the competition due to financial losses. The second and most recent attempt at forming a national domestic league, the National Rugby Championship, was launched in 2014 with nine teams and lasted six years until it was disbanded in 2020. The current top level competitions in Australia are the Shute Shield in Sydney and the Queensland Premier League in Brisbane. Numerous club and representative competitions serve the rugby playing community below these two competitions.
National Competitions
editThe National Rugby Championship (2014−2020) was a former annual competition held between professional teams from each state.
- Brisbane City
- Canberra Vikings
- Melbourne Rising
- New South Wales Country Eagles
- Western Force
- Queensland Country
- Sydney Rays
Former:
- Sydney Stars (2014–2015)
- Perth Spirit (2014–2017)
- Greater Sydney Rams (2014–2017)
The Australian Rugby Shield (2000-2008) and NRC Division 2 (2018-2020) were former annual competitions held between amateur representative teams from each state.
- ACT & Southern NSW Vikings (only in Australian Rugby Shield)
- Adelaide Black Falcons
- Northern Territory Mosquitoes
- Victoria Country Barbarians (formerly Melbourne Axemen)
- New South Wales Country Cockatoos
- Perth Gold
- Queensland Country Heelers
- Tasmania Jack Jumpers
New South Wales and ACT
edit- Eastern Suburbs
- Eastwood
- Gordon
- Hunter Wildfires
- Manly
- Northern Suburbs
- Parramatta
- Randwick
- Southern Districts
- Sydney University
- Warringah
- West Harbour
Former:
- Avoca Beach
- Gosford
- Kariong
- Northlakes United
- Ourimbah Razorbacks
- Terrigal
- The Entrance
- Warnervale
- Woy Woy
- Barraba Rams & Gwydir River Rats
- Gunnedah Red Devils
- Inverell Highlanders
- Moree Weebolla Bulls
- Narrabri Blue Boars
- Quirindi Lions
- Scone Brumbies
- Tamworth Pirates
- Walcha Rams
Former:
- Tamworth Magpies
- Croppa Creek Crows
- 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:
- Blackheath Wildfires
- Cudal
- Lithgow Devils
- Oberon
- Rydal Razorbacks
- 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
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
- Albion Park
- Avondale
- Bowral
- Bundanoon
- Camden Rams
- Lions Rugby
- Kiama
- Shamrocks
- Shoalhaven
- Tech Waratahs
- University
- Vikings
- Wollondilly
Northern Division:
- Bishop-Druit College Coffs Harbour Barracudas
- Bowraville Goannas
- Coffs Harbour Snappers
- Grafton Redmen
- Hastings Valley Vikings
- Kempsey Cannonballs
- Port Macquarie Pirates
- Southern Cross University Marlins
Southern Division:
- Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins
- Gloucester Cockatoos
- Manning River Ratz
- Old Bar Clams
- Wallamba Bulls
- Wauchope Thunder
Former:
- Urunga-Bellinger valley rugby club (Northern)
- Nambucca River Breakers R.U.F.C (Northern)
- Glen Innes
- Robb Rugby Club
- St Albert's College
- The Armidale Rugby Club (Blues)
- Guyra Ghosts
- Barbarians R.U.F.C.
- Wright College Redmen
- Tamworth
Former:
- Armidale City
- Armidale Old Boys
- City United
- Earle Page College
- Guy Fawkes Ebor
- Gwydir River Rats
- Hillgrove
- Page-Wright Barbarians
- Teachers College
- Tenterfield Bumblebees
- University College
- United Colleges
- 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.
- Singleton
- Nelson Bay
- Waratahs
- Wanderers
- Merewether Carlton Rugby Club
- Hamilton Hawks
- University
- Maitland
- Lake Macquarie
- Southern Beaches
- Muswellbrook
- Pokolbin
- Southern Lakes
- Griffins
This union is also affiliated with the ACT union instead of a NSW body.
- Bourke Rams
- Brewarrina Brumbies
- Cobar Camels
- Coonamble Rams
- Gulargambone Galahs
- Bogan Bulls (Nyngan)
- Walgett Rams
- Warren Pumas
First Division
Second Division
- Barker Old Boys
- Blue Mountains
- Briars
- Forest
- Hills
- Hunters Hill
- Newport
- University of New South Wales Rugby union Club
- Waverley
Third Division
- Beecroft
- Brothers
- Epping
- Hawkesbury Valley
- Kings Old Boys
- Oatley
- Old Ignatians
- Redfield Old Boys
- St Ives
- UWS Hawkesbury
Fourth Division
- Blacktown
- Canterbury
- Colleagues Convicts
- Macquarie Uni
- Rouse Hill
- Sydney Harlequins
- Sydney Irish
Fifth Division
- Georges River Rugby Club (the Dropbears)
Sixth Division
South-East
- Alexandria
- Engadine
- Burraneer
- Clovelly
- Fairvale/Lansvale
- Maccabi
- Menai
- Wollondilly
Australian Capital Territory (including areas of southern New South Wales)
edit- Easts
- Gungahlin Eagles
- Queanbeyan Whites
- Canberra Royals
- Tuggeranong Vikings
- Uni-Norths Owls
- Wests Lions
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
edit- 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
edit- 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
'A' & 'B' grade competition:
- Casuarina Cougars
- Darwin Dragons
- Palmerston Crocs
- South Darwin Rabbitohs
- Swampdogs
- University Pirates
- Barbarians Rugby Union Football Club
- Brahmans Rugby Union Football Club
- Pirates Rugby Union Football Club
- Tindal Lions Rugby Union Football Club
Other teams
editEast 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.[3]
Queensland
edit- Brothers Old Boys
- Easts Tigers Rugby Union
- Bond University Rugby Club
- GPS
- North Brisbane Rugby Club
- Souths
- Sunnybank Rugby Union Club
- University of Queensland Rugby Club
- Wests
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Bowen Rugby
- Brothers Rugby Union (Mackay)
- City Rugby Club (Mackay)
- Kuttabul Rugby
- Proserpine/Whitsunday Rugby Union
- Slade Point Rugby
- Beaudesert Rugby Football Club
- Bond University Rugby Club
- Bond Pirates Rugby Club
- Casuarina Beach Rugby Club
- Colleges Rugby Club
- Coolangatta Tweed Barbarians
- Coomera Crushers RU
- Gold Coast Eagles
- Griffith University Colleges Knights Rugby Union Club
- Helensvale Hogs RUC
- Hinterland Celtics Rugby Club
- Nerang Bulls RUC
- Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators RUC
- Surfers Paradise Dolphins
- Tamborine Mountain Rugby
- 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
- 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
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
SA Club Rugby
edit- Adelaide University RUFC
- Barossa Rams RUFC
- Brighton RUFC
- Burnside RUFC
- Elizabeth RUFC
- North East Districts RUFC
- North Torrens RUFC
- Old Collegians Rugby Club
- Onkaparinga RUFC
- Port Adelaide RUFC
- Souths Suburbs RUFC
- Woodville RUFC
- Victorian Club Rugby
- Ballarat Rugby Union Football Club
- 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
RugbyWA Competition
edit- Arks Rugby Club
- Associates Rugby Club
- Bunbury Rugby Club
- Cottesloe Rugby Club
- Curtin University Rugby Union Football Club
- Joondalup Brothers RUFC
- Kalamunda Rugby Club
- Mandurah Rugby Club
- North Coast Rugby Union
- Midland Hills Rugby Club
- Nedlands Rugby Club
- Palmyra Rugby Club
- Perth Bayswater Rugby Club
- Rockingham Rugby Club
- Southern Lions RUFC
- University of Western Australia RUFC
- Wanneroo Rugby Club
- Wests Subiaco RUFC
WA Country RU
editEastern Goldfields WA Competition
edit- Boulder RUFC
- Bushwackers RUFC
- Esperance RUFC
- Kalgoorlie Stormers Rugby Club
- Kambalda RUFC
Great Southern Rugby Union
edit- Albany RUFC
- Denmark Brothers RC
- Dryandra-Narrogin RUFC
- Katanning RC
Northern Division RU
edit- Geraldton Internationals RC
- Paraburdoo RC
South West WA Competition
edit- Bridgetown RUFC
- Bunbury City RUFC
- Collie RC
- Dunsborough RUFC
- Leeuwin-Margaret River RUFC
Other teams
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "History of the ARU". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2006.
- ^ International Rugby Board Website:http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000007/index.html Archived 2012-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "| NT Rugby".