The Hawke’s Bay Saracens Rugby Club hold a unique place in New Zealand rugby history, functioning as an invitation/development side rather than a standard grassroots club.

Key Historical Milestones

1. Early Origins (1939)

The Saracens name first entered Hawke’s Bay rugby history in 1939, when an invitational Saracens squad was assembled to play a second-class fixture against the Hawke’s Bay provincial team. A match planned for July 1940 against Wellington’s Centurions Club was canceled due to the outbreak of World War II.

2. First-Class Revival (1974)

The Saracens made a major comeback on October 27, 1974, when they played their first official first-class match against the Evergreens at Rugby Park in Dannevirke.

• The match was organized to celebrate the opening of a new grandstand.

• The star-studded Saracens team featured five All Blacks alongside Australian representatives Owen Stephens and Ray Price.

• In a high-scoring showcase, the Saracens defeated the Evergreens 46–33.

3. The 1992 All Black Trial

In 1992, the Hawke’s Bay Saracens were selected to play a first-class match against a New Zealand XV. This fixture served as a formal All Blacks trial ahead of the NZRFU Centennial Tests against the World XV, marking one of the highest-profile games in the Saracens’ history.

Modern Role: Hawke’s Bay Development

Today, the Saracens operate under the umbrella of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union (HBRFU) as the official Hawke’s Bay Development team.

• Squad Composition: The team is made up of emerging talent from local Hawke’s Bay club competitions, high-performing academy players, and fringe members of the Hawke’s Bay Magpies NPC squad.

• Competitions: They represent the province in the Hurricanes Development competition, competing against development sides from Wellington, Manawatū, andother regional unions.

• Community Initiatives: The Saracens actively support regional grassroots rugby, organizing events such as “College Day” to showcase high school rugby talent across the region.