The Redwood Rugby Club was a Blenheim-based rugby club in Marlborough that operated in the late 20th century before merging to form one of the region’s top modern clubs.
Key Historical Milestones
• Foundation (1966):
Formed in 1966, Redwood was a relatively modern addition to Marlborough rugby compared to century-old country rivals.
• Rapid Rise & Provincial Representation:
Despite its short standalone history, the club quickly rose to the top senior grade in Marlborough rugby. During the 1970s and 1980s, Redwood consistently produced representative players for the Marlborough Rugby Union, as well as New Zealand Divisional and National Colts players.
• Competition:
Redwood played in the Marlborough senior club competitions out of Blenheim, competing against established sides like Opawa, Old Boys, Renwick, and Waitohi.
The 1994 Merger & Modern Legacy
• Formation of Harlequins RFC (1994):
In 1994, Redwood amalgamated with two other Blenheim-based clubs—Opawa Rugby Club and Old Boys Rugby Club—to pool player resources and strengthen rugby in the area.
• Harlequins Blenheim:
The merged entity was named Harlequins Rugby Football Club (often referred to as the Harlequins or Quins).
• Modern Home:
Today, the legacy of Redwood lives on through Harlequins RFC, which plays in the Tasman Rugby Union (Marlborough Rugby Sub-Union / Tasman Trophy) based out of the Lansdowne Park Sports Hub in Blenheim.
Published History
Title: Redwood Rugby Club’s First 25 Years 1991 (1991) by Ron Thorn
A 34-page retrospective published for the club’s silver jubilee, recording its formation, senior title campaigns, and provincial representatives prior to the 1994 merger.
