The Greytown Rugby Club holds a monumental place in the pioneering fabric of New Zealand sport. Established in 1876, it stands proudly as the single oldest rugby club in the Wairarapa Bush province and one of the oldest surviving clubs in the entire country.
The story of the club mirrors the development of New Zealand rugby itself:
1. The Pioneer Era (1876)
Greytown was founded as New Zealand’s very first planned inland European settlement in 1854, and by the 1870s, its residents wanted organized winter sport.
• Pre-Union Days: Because the club was formed a full decade before the Wairarapa Rugby Union even existed (1886), Greytown’s earliest years were spent playing internal scratch matches or organizing rugged, multi-day travel fixtures against early clubs in Wellington and Napier.
• The Home Ground: The club eventually laid down permanent roots on East Street, leasing land from the local Trust Lands Trust. It has occupied this iconic spot for well over a century, cementing it as the physical heart of the local sporting community.
2. Early All Black Legends
Because Greytown was at the absolute forefront of the game’s development in New Zealand, its early players were heavily involved in the first historic international tours:
• Hart Udy: A foundational member of the Greytown club, Udy was selected for the very first New Zealand rugby team that toured New South Wales in 1884. He is officially recognized as All Black #11.
• Dan Udy: Keeping it in the family, Dan Udy followed in his relative’s footsteps to play for New Zealand from 1901 to 1903.
3. Post-War Resurgence & Ben Couch
Following the heavy disruptions of World War I and II—where the club sacrificed many young men to the war effort—Greytown rebuilt itself into a powerhouse of the Wairarapa club competition.
The standout figure of the post-war era was Ben Couch. He played for Greytown and represented the All Blacks as a talented first-five eighth from 1947 to 1949 (playing in the famous series against Australia and touring South Africa). Couch later achieved massive national prominence outside of rugby, becoming a Member of Parliament and serving as New Zealand’s Minister of Māori Affairs.
4. The 1980s Conquering Era & Marty Berry
In the 1980s, the wider region merged to form the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union, and Greytown became a consistent threat in the senior premier competition.
The standard-bearer for the club in this modern era was Marty Berry. A brilliant utility back, Berry played over 100 matches for Wairarapa Bush during a period when the provincial union was punching well above its weight in the top tier of the National Provincial Championship (NPC). He earned selection for the All Blacks between 1986 and 1993.
5. Modern Era & The Tuhirangi Partnership
As rural populations across New Zealand shifted in the 2000s, amateur clubs had to get creative to field competitive senior sides. To ensure grassroots rugby thrived in the South Wairarapa district, Greytown formed a highly successful operational partnership with nearby rural club Tuhirangi (based out of Pirinoa).
Today, operating out of its newly upgraded clubrooms on East Street, the club boasts a thriving junior system alongside its senior teams.
150 Years of History:
Having celebrated its historic 150th Jubilee over King’s Birthday Weekend in 2026, Greytown Rugby Football Club remains a premier powerhouse for local Wairarapa talent and an enduring symbol of New Zealand’s deepest rugby roots.
