Linton Rugby Club

Club History

The history of the Linton Rugby Club in New Zealand rugby is uniquely split between two completely different eras and identities: a short-lived historic rural farming club, and the highly active, modern military teams representing Linton Army Camp just south of Palmerston North.

1. The Original Linton Rugby Club (1905–1948)

Long before the military camp dominated the area, Linton was a small farming and school district. The rugby history of this rural settlement was marked by sporadic bursts of life rather than long-term stability:

• Foundations (1905): The original Linton Rugby Club was formed in 1905 but dissolved shortly after due to a lack of players.

• The 1920s Revival: A team was revived in 1920 and experienced a few successful local seasons before interest flagged again, causing the club to disband. It briefly flared back to life for a single season in 1933.

• The Final Whistle (1947–1948): The club made one last comeback following World War II in 1947. Unfortunately, the team went on a brutal losing streak, dropping every single game over two seasons. In 1948, the club folded for the final time. Most of the remaining local players transferred to the nearby Tokomaru Rugby Club to play under the Horowhenua Rugby Union banner.

2. Linton Army Camp Rugby (1942–Present)

The modern face of rugby in Linton belongs entirely to the Linton Military Camp, the New Zealand Army’s largest operational base. Established in 1942 during World War II, the camp quickly became a hotbed for military and club sports.

• Manawatu Club Competition: Linton Army has a long-standing tradition of fielding highly physical, incredibly fit teams in the Manawatu Rugby Union club competitions. Playing their home games on the fields inside the army camp, they are a regular fixture against Palmerston North and wider Manawatu clubs.

• The Keith Elliott VC Club: The social heart of Linton military sports is tied to the camp’s Keith Elliott VC Club, named after the legendary Wairarapa farmer, rugby player, and soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1942.

• Inter-Services Dominance: Beyond the local Manawatu club competition, Linton serves as the primary training and selection ground for the New Zealand Army Rugby Team. Linton personnel regularly anchor the Army squad in the fierce annual Inter-Services tournaments against the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

linton-1889-1989-a-school-and-district-centennial-history

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Linton 1889 – 1989 A School and District Centennial History

Club:

Year published:

Author:

Page count:

Notes:

Linton Rugby Club

1989

W J Lauridson

240 pages

A fine history of Linton to commemorate its centenary, there are several pages on Rugby in the area. Never a successful club, the team only played a few sporadic seasons between 1905 and 1948 before disbanding forever.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Linton 1889 – 1989 A School and District Centennial History

Club:

Linton Rugby Club

Year:

1989

Author:

W J Lauridson

Pages:

240 pages

Notes:

Club History