Waiuku District Rugby Football Club
 Club logo | ||
| Union | Counties Manukau | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1956 | |
| Location | Waiuku | |
| Region | Auckland | |
| Ground(s) | Rugby Park Waiuku | |
| President | Dominic Olsen | |
| Coach(es) | Tery Dolan | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| waiukudrfc | ||
Waiuku District Rugby Football Club (commonly known as Waiuku Rugby Club or WDRFC) is a senior rugby union club based in Waiuku, Auckland Region, New Zealand. It competes in the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union club competitions.
History
Rugby in Waiuku dates back to the 1890s. By 1906, the team was known as City. In 1921, clubs City, Waipipi, and Otaua formed the Waiuku Rugby Union, later joined by Aka Aka in 1923, along with other short-lived clubs such as Glenbrook and Peninsula.[1]
On 5 March 1956, the Waiuku District Rugby Football Club was officially formed through the merger of the City Ramblers and Otaua clubs,[2] consolidating local resources and establishing Rugby Park, Waiuku as the club's home ground.
Community and structure
WDRFC supports senior (Premier), U85, age-grade teams (U19, U21), and junior sides.[3] The club places a strong emphasis on community, sportsmanship, and youth development through its academy programmes.[4]
Waiuku has long been renowned for producing powerful forward packs, a reputation often linked to the town's industrial roots and the influence of the nearby Glenbrook Steel Mill. Many of the club's players over the decades have been hard-working locals from physically demanding jobs, bringing natural strength and toughness to their play style. This forward-focused playing style became a hallmark of Waiuku rugby, earning respect throughout the Counties Manukau competition.[5]
Following Stephen "Beaver" Donald's memorable performance in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, his hometown of Waiuku experienced "Beaver fever."[6] The Waiuku Rugby Club renamed their home ground "Beaver Park" in his honour in recognition of his role in the All Blacks victory over France. Donald's journey from local club rugby to kicking the winning points on rugby's biggest stage became a source of local pride.
Waiuku Rugby Club continues to play a prominent role in the Counties Manukau rugby community through its competitive teams, strong player development, and rich history.[7]
Recent performance and competition history
McNamara Cup Premier
Waiuku has won the prestigious Counties Manukau TP McNamara Memorial Cup four times: in 1958, 2000, 2003, and 2010.[8][9] The club also finished as runners-up in 2004 and 2009.
Sid Marshall Shield
After their final season in the McNamara Cup in 2021, Waiuku's Premier side moved into the Sid Marshall Shield Division 3 from 2022 onwards. They reached the final in their first season, narrowly losing 15–20 to Puni.[10] The 2023 season saw the return of Stephen Donald, with the club advancing to the semifinals. In 2024, Waiuku once again reached the final but narrowly lost 34–32 to Onewhero in a closely contested match at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe.
Under 85kg Team Success
The Waiuku U85kg side won the Counties Manukau U85kg Championship in 2023. In 2024, the team went undefeated throughout the season, continuing their strong form in the grade. In 2025, the Waiuku Bulldogs again made the final of the Counties Manukau U85kg competition, narrowly losing 20–19 to the Pukekohe Pirates. They will participate in the 2025 Under 85kg National Club Cup.[11]
Notable players
All Blacks
- Kevin Skinner – All Blacks prop (1949–56, 20 caps; captain) played for Waiuku in 1956.
- Pat Walsh – All Black midfielder (1955–63, 13 caps) played for Waiuku in the 1950s.[12]
- Stephen "Beaver" Donald – All Black first-five (2008–11, 25 caps) kicked the winning penalty in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final. Donald stands as Waiuku's most famous rugby export, proudly regarded as the club's first locally bred All Black.[13] Donald last played for Waiuku in 2020 and 2023.[14]
- Bob Lendrum – All Black fullback (1 cap in 1973), originally from Waiuku.
Club legends and centurions
- Jim Coe – Played 180 games for Counties Manukau, the second-most in Steelers history; also served as union president.[15] NZ Maori representative from 1992–99 and Super Rugby player (Blues). He was named in 2000 as the NPC's "greatest legend" for the competition's first 25 years.[16]
- Simon Lemalu – Samoa international prop and former Super Rugby player (Chiefs)
- Ronald Raaymakers – Former New Zealand U20 representative and Super Rugby player (Blues), key member of Counties Manukau's Ranfurly Shield-winning team.
- Grant Henson – Counties Manukau centurion hooker (100+ games), played over 200 premier matches for Waiuku, winning three McNamara Cups.
- Mark Muir – Veteran tighthead prop who played over 200 senior games for Waiuku, winning Premier titles in 2003 and 2010.[17]
- Roy Craig – Respected Waiuku club stalwart known for his dedication and strong performances.[18]
- Alan Dawson – Legendary number eight who played a record 202 games for Counties Manukau between 1976 and 1989, captaining the side in his later years.[19] He helped Counties win the 1979 NPC First Division title and was ranked #2 on the Counties Manukau "Mount Rushmore" for his contribution to the union and provincial rugby.[20]
Waiuku representatives in Counties Manukau Steelers
(Steelers player number in brackets)[21]
- 24 – Carl Thomas Edwards
- 27 – Raymond Joseph Enoka
- 33 – Mark Graeme Christie
- 34 – Graeme John Murray
- 35 – Arthur Lancelot Enoka
- 39 – Bruce John Wymbush
- 44 – Peter Andrew Allen
- 45 – Ian Campbell Ellery
- 64 – Terence John Hogan
- 81 – Clifford Goodwin Honey
- 121 – Geoffrey David Baird
- 125 – Stuart John Dickey
- 138 – Roy Harry Craig
- 139 – Ross Edward Brighouse
- 146 – Allan Frederick Gee
- 158 – Alan K Dickey
- 159 – William Frederick (Bill) Walters
- 174 – Wayne Erikson
- 176 – Graham George Walters
- 210 – Peter Gordon Clotworthy
- 231 – Alan James Dawson
- 238 – John Andrew Kennedy
- 246 – Murray Graham Fowlie
- 249 – Gordon Jakeman
- 255 – Dallas Edmonds
- 265 – Colin Thompson
- 280 – Geoffrey Frank Knight
- 293 – John Taylor
- 304 – Ross Stewart Knight
- 311 – Keith John Fowlie
- 321 – James Neil (Jim) Coe
- 359 – Andrew Peter Dawkins
- 365 – Brian Toki
- 387 – Ben L Lloyd
- 400 – Henare Benjamin Leach
- 463 – Grant William Henson
- 485 – Steven Alan Irwin
- 494 – Ramon James Lindsay
- 501 – David Wyatt Stewart
- 511 – David Roy Duley
- 526 – Duncan P Bell
- 542 – John W Kennedy
- 556 – Tevita A Finau
- 561 – Sosefo Kata
- 564 – Gavin Rhys Donald
- 569 – F Maka Tatafu
- 692 – Lucky Palamo
- 699 – Andrew Muirhead
- 702 – Luke A Graham
- 703 – Daniel Thomas Hyatt
- 747 – Tevita Nabura
- 752 – Michael J F McKee
- 759 – Suetena Asomua
Publications
The club's history has been documented in several publications, including:
- Waiuku Rugby Through the Ages (25th Jubilee, 1981; 28 pages)
- 100 Years of Waiuku Rugby (1894–1994; Brett Donald, 96 pages)
- Waiuku and District Rugby Club: 50 Years of Pride (1956–2006; Brett Donald, 120 pages)
References
- ^ "Waiuku Districts Rugby Club – The Published Histories of New Zealand Rugby Football". nzrugbyhistory.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Waiuku Districts Rugby Club - The Published Histories of New Zealand Rugby Football". NZ Rugby History. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Waiuku confirms move for an age-group side". Counties Sports Hub. 18 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Waiuku rugby programme is set to take players to the next level". Stuff. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Forward clout confronts all-rounders". New Zealand Herald. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Beaver fever in All Black Donald's hometown". New Zealand Herald. 28 October 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Rugby: Waiuku make Counties-Manukau final". New Zealand Herald. 10 July 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Rugby: Waiuku pip Papakura in nailbiter". New Zealand Herald. 10 July 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "The history behind the McNamara Cup". Counties Sports Hub. 16 July 2021. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "New Waiuku president tipped for big things". Counties Sports Hub. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "2025 Under 85kg National Club Cup draw confirmed". NZ Rugby. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "All Black greats farewell a friend". Stuff. 18 February 2009. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Waiuku boy in black". Stuff. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Stephen Donald to play club footy". Counties Sports Hub. 17 July 2020.
- ^ "On The Up: Jim Coe personifies Mr Counties". New Zealand Herald. 13 January 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Legends of the NPC Named by Experts". www.scoop.co.nz (Press release). Scoop. 9 August 2000. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Veteran prop Mark Muir reaches double century for Waiuku". Stuff. 9 May 2015. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Gertson, Kerry. "Roy Harry Craig". New Zealand Rugby History. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Gertson, Kerry. "Alan James Dawson". New Zealand Rugby History. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "CMRFU Mt Rushmore: Number 2 – Alan Dawson". Counties Sports Hub. 10 October 2021.
- ^ "Steelers Player Numbers | Counties Manukau RFU". xplorer.rugby. Retrieved 10 July 2025.