While the Timaru club eventually dropped the “Zingari” moniker through its merger, the Zingari Richmond Rugby Club based in Dunedin, Otago, is one of the oldest, most storied continuous rugby clubs in New Zealand.
Known affectionately as “The Die Hards,” the club has a rich heritage steeped in local lore and a fiercely gritty playing culture.
Foundations and the Fusion (1878–1887)
• 1878 Creation: The original Zingari Club was established in 1878 by a group of local Naval Cadets. They played their earliest matches on the grounds that are now home to Otago Boys’ High School.
• The 1887 Merger: A definitive turning point came in 1887 when the Zingari Club amalgamated with the neighboring Richmond Club. This created the modern Zingari-Richmond RFC, establishing their initial shared headquarters at the Oval in Dunedin.
The Lore of the “Zingari” Identity
The club is famous for its unique branding, which stands out distinctly in New Zealand rugby history:
• The Name & Colors: “Zingari” is an Italian word meaning “Gypsies.” Club tradition says their playing colors represent an old Romani myth:
o Black: Symbolizing emerging out of darkness.
o Red: Representing a journey of testing through fire.
o Yellow/Gold: Signifying arrival into the light.
• “The Die Hards”: The club earned its official nickname during its inaugural combined season in 1887. Opponents and local newspapers dubbed them the “Die Hards” because of their stubborn, never-say-die defensive attitude on the field—a moniker the club proudly maintains over a century later.
• Motto: In 1932, the club formally adopted its guiding motto: “Always the game,” emphasizing sportsmanship over political or external club semantics.
Moving to Montecillo (1890)
After a brief stint playing at the Caledonian Ground, Zingari-Richmond moved in 1890 to its spiritual and permanent home: Montecillo.
The ground was named after a historic local seven-acre estate originally owned by the Reynolds family (who settled in Dunedin from Portugal in 1850). The clubrooms and fields at Montecillo have served as the fortress for the Die Hards ever since.
Golden Eras on the Field
While often battling against heavy-hitting Dunedin clubs like Southern or University, Zingari-Richmond captured the highly coveted Otago Senior Premier Banner Championship several times, with its most iconic eras spanning the mid-20th century:
• 1913: The club’s first-ever premier banner victory.
• The 1950s & 60s Golden Run: The club experienced a massive resurgence under the guidance of legends like All Black Norm Wilson, who also spearheaded the creation of the club’s official junior advisory board in 1956. Zingari-Richmond claimed the absolute top spot in Dunedin rugby four times in ten years, winning championships in 1959, 1961, 1963, and 1968.
Today, Zingari-Richmond remains a vital community hub at Montecillo, continuing to field senior, premier, and junior teams under the iconic black, red, and yellow stripes.
