The Okaiawa Rugby Club (often known today as the Okaiawa Rugby & Sports Club) is one of the oldest and most historic grassroots rugby clubs in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. Based at Joll Park in the small South Taranaki settlement of Okaiawa, the club boasts a proud country rugby heritage.
Foundation and Identity
• Founded: 1896
• Club Colours: Maroon and Blue hoops
• Home Ground: Joll Park, Okaiawa
• Affiliation: Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU)
Championship Success
Okaiawa has traditionally competed in the Taranaki club rugby competitions, frequently earning a reputation as a tough, spirited rural side.
The club’s golden eras in the premier division are marked by their Taranaki Championship titles:
• 1911
• 1932
• 1938
After their 1938 victory, the club went through a long championship drought at the highest level. Remarkably, 81 years later in 2019, Okaiawa captured the region’s attention by making a fairytale run back to the Taranaki Premier senior final.
All Blacks and Notable Players
Despite its small rural base, Okaiawa has produced and contributed several players to the ultimate New Zealand rugby honor—the All Blacks:
• Jimmie O’Sullivan: An early pioneer who played for the All Blacks in 1905.
• Dick Roberts: A versatile back who represented the All Blacks in 1913 and captained Taranaki.
• Davy Johnston: Wore the All Black jersey in 1925.
• Ray Clarke: An All Black forward who represented the national side in 1932.
Milestones and Modern Era
• Centennial (1896–1996): The club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1996, marked by the publication of a club history chronicle by Linda Megaw.
• 125th Jubilee (1896–2021): In 2021, the club celebrated 125 years of continuous rugby heritage, updating their rich history with a second commemorative book compiled by Linda Megaw and Doug Fowell.
Today, Okaiawa remains a vital social and sporting hub for the South Taranaki community, continuing to field senior and junior teams in the local CMK Taranaki club rugby competitions.
