The Tawa Rugby Club has been a cornerstone of the Wellington suburban rugby scene for nearly eight decades. Known for playing a fast-paced, attractive brand of running rugby, the club has a proud history of punching above its weight in the Wellington club rugby competition.
The Beginnings (1947)
The club was officially formed in 1947 by a small group of hardworking young local men who wanted a community-based sports organization. In those post-World War II days, the club’s infrastructure was incredibly modest:
- The Training Ground: The senior team originally had to train on a rough gravel patch right outside the local Tawa Fire Station.
- Neighbourly Help: When bad weather made the gravel patch unplayable, local rivals Johnsonville Rugby Club would loan Tawa their indoor gymnasium so the team could train.
The Historic 1950 Milestone
Just three years after their formation, Tawa achieved a feat that put them firmly on the New Zealand rugby map. During the 1950 British Lions tour of New Zealand, Tawa had the massive distinction of boasting two All Blacks in the national side at the same time:
New Zealand Rugby History
New Zealand Rugby History
Lyndhurst Park & Modern Era
Over the decades, Tawa moved from its humble gravel roots to establishing its home at Lyndhurst Park in Tawa, Wellington. Today, it features some of the premium floodlit playing fields and top-tier clubrooms in the region.
The club competes in Wellington’s elite Swindale Shield (regular season) and Jubilee Cup / Hardham Cup (premier finals) grades. Tawa enjoyed a golden era of consistency through the 2000s and 2010s, capturing the Hardham Cup in 1994, 2002, 2009, and 2011, alongside a strong presence in the top-tier Jubilee Cup play-offs.
Famous Tawa Representatives
Aside from Bevan and Graham Mexted, Tawa has produced or been the club of choice for an impressive list of international and Super Rugby players:
- Murray Mexted: The legendary All Black Number 8 and prominent rugby commentator (son of Graham Mexted) is widely considered Tawa’s most celebrated home-grown product.
- Steve McDowell: The formidable All Black prop played his club rugby for Tawa while representing Wellington.
- Dion Waller: All Black, Hurricanes, and Wellington Lions lock who later returned to coach the premier side.
Today, Tawa RFC remains deeply community-focused, fielding strong teams across Premier, Colts (U21), Women’s, and a massive junior rugby framework, alongside affiliated netball teams.
