While the Manukau Rovers command the rugby spotlight in Māngere, their neighbors just down the southern motorway, Manurewa Rugby Club (affectionately known to locals as “Rewa”), boast an entirely distinct and equally powerful legacy.
Based in South Auckland and pulling from a massive local population, Manurewa is not an Auckland Union club—they are the powerhouse anchor of the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU).
Foundation & “Rewa” Identity
Manurewa RFC was founded in 1921, celebrating its centennial in 2021 with the release of its comprehensive history book, ‘And Rewa we will Always Be’.
The club is the northernmost team in the Counties Manukau province, uniquely positioned right on the urban border of Auckland. Because of this, it has grown to become a massive multi-cultural sports hub, serving over 35 teams across all junior and senior rugby grades, while also integrating netball, softball, and touch rugby.
The Powerhouse of Counties Manukau
When the Counties Manukau Union was officially formed in 1955, Manurewa established itself as the competition’s benchmark.
• The Most Successful Club: Historically, Manurewa is the most successful club in Counties Manukau history, holding the record for the most McNamara Cup (the premier championship trophy for the province) titles.
• The Mountfort Park Era: Originally, the club shared facilities with the local association football club at War Memorial Park. However, as the club expanded, they established their fortress at Mountfort Park on Sykes Road, which features a sprawling sports complex capable of hosting thousands of local fans on any given winter Saturday.
Famous Alumni & “The King”
If you look at the club’s prestigious Honours Board, Manurewa has a legendary track record of producing provincial stalwarts, Super Rugby professionals, and world-class internationals.
None are more iconic than Bruce Robertson (All Black #702). Widely considered one of the greatest center-midfielders to ever wear the All Blacks jersey (playing 102 matches between 1972 and 1981), Robertson was a proud Manurewa club man. His elegant running style, positional genius, and loyalty to South Auckland rugby earned him the title of “The King” in Counties.
Other notable All Blacks and international stars who progressed through or played for Manurewa include:
• Pat Walsh (All Black #514) – A brilliant, versatile back in the 1950s and 60s who later became an All Black selector.
• Andy Dalton (All Black #783) – The legendary All Black captain and hooker who led New Zealand during their dominant period in the mid-1980s.
• Jonah Lomu – While Lomu is celebrated globally, his grassroots club rugby footprint in the Counties region heavily intertwined with clubs like Manurewa during the peak of 1990s “Lomumania.”
• Stephen Donald (All Black #1084) – The cult-hero first-five (“Beaver”) who kicked the winning penalty in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final had stint attachments to the region.
• Kaleb Trask – Modern Maori All Black and Chiefs utility back.
Modern Era & Women’s Rugby
In recent decades, Manurewa has become an absolute goldmine for Women’s Rugby. The Manurewa women’s premier team is a powerhouse in the Auckland/Counties wider club competitions, regularly supplying a massive contingent of players to the Counties Manukau Heat ( Farah Palmer Cup) and the world-champion Black Ferns. Stars like Hazel Tubic and a conveyor belt of powerhouse South Auckland female athletes have ensured that “Rewa” remains a dominant name on the New Zealand rugby landscape.
