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List of rugby union clubs in Australia

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See also: Club Rugby (Australia)

List of rugby union clubs in Australia
Governing bodyRugby Australia
First played25 July 1839,[1] Sydney, New South Wales
Registered players82,818 (total)
38,010 (adult)[2]
Clubs848
Club competitions
Audience records
Single match109,874
Australia v New Zealand, (Telstra Stadium)
15 July 2000

The highest level of provincial rugby union in Australia is Super Rugby. There are five Australian teams in this competition, which also features teams from New Zealand and Fiji.

Australia currently has no national club competition. The first attempt at such a competition, the Australian Rugby Championship, was launched in 2007 with eight teams, but lasted only one season before the nation's governing body, the Australian Rugby Union (now Rugby Australia), decided to discontinue the competition due to financial losses. The second and most recent attempt at forming a national domestic league, the National Rugby Championship, was launched in 2014 with nine teams and lasted six years until it was disbanded in 2020. The current top level competitions in Australia are the Shute Shield in Sydney and the Queensland Premier League in Brisbane. Numerous club and representative competitions serve the rugby playing community below these two competitions.

Super Rugby

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National Competitions

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National Rugby Championship

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The National Rugby Championship (2014−2020) was a former annual competition held between professional teams from each state.

Former:

Australian Rugby Shield/NRC Division 2

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The Australian Rugby Shield (2000-2008) and NRC Division 2 (2018-2020) were former annual competitions held between amateur representative teams from each state.

New South Wales and ACT

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Main article: Rugby union in New South Wales

New South Wales Rugby Union

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Shute Shield

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Former:

New South Wales Country Rugby Union

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Central Coast Rugby Union
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  • Avoca Beach
  • Gosford
  • Kariong
  • Northlakes United
  • Ourimbah Razorbacks
  • Terrigal
  • The Entrance
  • Warnervale
  • Woy Woy
Central Northern Rugby Union
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  • Barraba Rams & Gwydir River Rats
  • Gunnedah Red Devils
  • Inverell Highlanders
  • Moree Weebolla Bulls
  • Narrabri Blue Boars
  • Quirindi Lions
  • Scone Brumbies
  • Tamworth Pirates
  • Walcha Rams

Former:

Central West Rugby Union
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  • Bathurst Bulldogs
  • Bathurst City
  • Blayney
  • Canowindra Pythons
  • Coolah
  • Coonabarabran Kookaburras
  • Cowra Eagles
  • CSU - Bathurst
  • Cudal Cobras
  • Dubbo Kangaroos
  • Dubbo Rhinos
  • Forbes Platypi
  • Geurie Goats Rugby Club
  • Molong Magpies
  • Mudgee Wombats
  • Narromine Gorillas
  • Orange City
  • Orange Emus
  • Orange Waratahs
  • Parkes Boars
  • Trangie Tigers
  • USO - Orange
  • Wellington Redbacks
  • Yeoval

Former:

  • Blackheath Wildfires
  • Cudal
  • Lithgow Devils
  • Oberon
  • Rydal Razorbacks
Far North Coast Rugby Union
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  • Ballina
  • Bangalow
  • Byron Bay
  • Casino
  • Casuarina
  • Evans River
  • Iluka
  • Kyogle
  • Lennox Head
  • Lismore
  • Mullumbimby
  • Murwillumbah
  • Richmond Range
  • Southern Cross University
  • Wollongbar/Alstonville
  • Woolgoolga Whitepointers
  • Yamba
South Coast Monaro Rugby Union
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This union is officially affiliated with the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union instead of the NSW union.

  • Batemans Bay
  • Braidwood
  • Broulee
  • Sharks
  • Ulladulla
  • Vincentia
Illawarra Rugby Union
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  • Albion Park
  • Avondale
  • Bowral
  • Bundanoon
  • Camden Rams
  • Lions Rugby
  • Kiama
  • Shamrocks
  • Shoalhaven
  • Tech Waratahs
  • University
  • Vikings
  • Wollondilly
Mid North Coast Rugby Union
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Northern Division:

  • Bishop-Druit College Coffs Harbour Barracudas
  • Bowraville Goannas
  • Coffs Harbour Snappers
  • Grafton Redmen
  • Hastings Valley Vikings
  • Kempsey Cannonballs
  • Port Macquarie Pirates
  • Southern Cross University Marlins

Southern Division:

  • Forster-Tuncurry Dolphins
  • Gloucester Cockatoos
  • Manning River Ratz
  • Old Bar Clams
  • Wallamba Bulls
  • Wauchope Thunder

Former:

  • Urunga-Bellinger valley rugby club (Northern)
  • Nambucca River Breakers R.U.F.C (Northern)
New England Rugby Union
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  • Glen Innes Rugby Club
  • Robb Rugby Club
  • St Albert's College Rugby Club
  • Armidale Blues Rugby Club
  • Barbarians R.U.F.C.
  • Walcha R.U.F.C.

Former:

  • Armidale City
  • Armidale Old Boys
  • City United
  • Earle Page College
  • Guy Fawkes Ebor
  • Guyra Ghosts
  • Gwydir River Rats
  • Hillgrove
  • Page-Wright Barbarians
  • Teachers College
  • Tenterfield Bumblebees
  • University College
  • United Colleges
  • Uralla Miners
  • Wright College Redmen

City-United Historical note: During the 1994 pre-season, it became clear that neither United nor Armidale City would have enough players to field four grades or be competitive. Given that quite a few of City's squad were former United players, NERU Secretary and former United President Dick Croft encouraged the two clubs to join forces, and City United was born. The new club competed strongly for the next eight years before merging with Armidale Old Boys for the 2002 season. This resulted in the new Armidale Blues Rugby Club, which combines the history and tradition of City, the professionalism and competitiveness of Old Boys, and the spirit and student depth of United.

Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union
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  • Singleton
  • Nelson Bay
  • Waratahs
  • Wanderers
  • Merewether Carlton Rugby Club
  • Hamilton Hawks
  • University
  • Maitland
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Southern Beaches
  • Muswellbrook
  • Pokolbin
  • Southern Lakes
  • Griffins
Southern Inland Rugby Union
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This union is also affiliated with the ACT union instead of a NSW body.

Western Plains Rugby Union
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  • Bourke Rams
  • Brewarrina Brumbies
  • Cobar Camels
  • Coonamble Rams
  • Gulargambone Galahs
  • Bogan Bulls (Nyngan)
  • Walgett Rams
  • Warren Pumas

New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union

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First Division

Second Division

Third Division

Fourth Division

Fifth Division

Georges River Rugby Club (the Dropbears)

Sixth Division

  • North-West
  • Chatswood
  • Collaroy
  • Dee Why
  • ICMS
  • Lane Cove
  • Manly Savers
  • Merrylands (TBC)
  • Roseville
  • Terrey Hills
  • Wakehurst

South-East

Australian Capital Territory (including areas of southern New South Wales)

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Main article: Rugby union in the Australian Capital Territory

ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union

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ACTRU Premier Division

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The following teams compete in first and second division competitions

  • Boorowa Rugby Club
  • Bungendore RUFC
  • Cooma Rugby Club
  • Crookwell Rugby Club
  • Defence Academy Rugby Club
  • Goulburn Rugby Union
  • Hall Rugby Club
  • Harden RUFC
  • Jindabyne Rugby Club
  • RMC Rugby Club
  • Taralga RUFC
  • Yass RUFC

South Coast Zone

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  • Batemans Bay RUFC
  • Bega Valley RUFC
  • Bermagui-Cobargo Sharks RC
  • Bombala Rugby Club
  • Braidwood RUFC
  • Broulee Dolphins RUFC
  • Milton Rugby Club
  • Narooma & Districts Whales RC

Southern Inland Zone

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  • Albury-Wodonga RUFC
  • Cootamundra RUFC
  • Denilquin Drovers
  • Grenfell Rugby Club
  • Griffith RUFC
  • Hay Cutters
  • Leeton Phantoms RUFC
  • Rivcoll Red RUFC
  • Temora RUFC
  • Tumut RUFC
  • Wagga Agricultural College RUFC
  • Wagga City RUFC
  • Wagga Wagga Crows Junior Rugby Union
  • Wagga Waratahs RUFC
  • West Wyalong Junior Rugby Union
  • Young RUFC

Northern Territory

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Main article: Rugby union in the Northern Territory

Northern Territory Rugby Union

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Darwin Club Rugby

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'A' & 'B' grade competition:

Central Australian Rugby Union

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Katherine Rugby Union

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Other teams

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East Arnhem Rugby runs a junior rugby competition between April and August. While not part of a regular competition, East Arnhem Rugby provides competition for Senior Players by entering in 7's Tournaments.[3]

Queensland

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Main article: Rugby union in Queensland

Queensland Rugby Union

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Queensland Premier Rugby

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Queensland Country Rugby Union

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Bundaberg and District Rugby Union
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Cairns and District Rugby Union
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Central Highlands Rugby Union
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Central Queensland Rugby Union
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Darling Downs Rugby Union
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Mackay District Rugby Union
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Mt Isa Rugby Union
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Gold Coast District Rugby Union
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Sunshine Coast Rugby Union
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Townsville and Districts Rugby Union
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Western Queensland Rugby Union
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Queensland Suburban Rugby Union

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List does not include Queensland Premier Rugby clubs that also field teams in the Suburban competitions.

  • Ag Vet Rugby Union
  • Beenleigh and District Rugby Union
  • Brisbane Irish Rugby Football Club
  • Easts Longhorns Rugby Union
  • Everton Park Rugby Union
  • Goodna Rugby Union
  • Ipswich Rangers Rugby Club
  • Logan City Rugby Union
  • Med XV Rugby Union
  • Nerang Rugby Union
  • Pine Rivers Boars Rugby Union
  • Pine Rivers Pumas Rugby Union
  • Redcliffe Rugby Union
  • Redlands Rugby Union
  • Riverside Rugby Union Club
  • Southern Bay Rugby Union
  • Springfield Rugby Union
  • St Leo's College Old Boys Rugby Union
  • TC Beirne School of Law Rugby Union
  • UQ - Gatton Rugby Union
  • Wynnum Rugby Union Club

South Australia

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Main article: Rugby union in South Australia

Rugby Union South Australia

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SA Club Rugby

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Tasmania

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Main article: Rugby union in Tasmania

Tasmanian Rugby Union

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Victoria

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Main article: Rugby union in Victoria

Rugby Victoria

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  • Victorian Club Rugby
  • Ballarat Rugby Union Football Club
  • Bendigo Rugby Club
  • Border Army RUFC
  • Boroondara RUFC
  • Box Hill Rugby Club
  • Cerberus RUFC
  • Cobram Rugby Union Club
  • Deniliquin RUFC
  • Echuca Moama Barbarians
  • Eltham Rugby Club
  • Endeavour Hills Rugby Club
  • Footscray Rugby Club
  • Geelong Rugby Club
  • Harlequin Rugby Club
  • Maroondah RUFC
  • Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club
  • Melbourne University Rugby Football Club
  • Melton Rugby Club
  • Monash University Rugby Club
  • Moorabbin Rugby Club
  • Northern Rugby Club
  • Power House Rugby Club
  • Puckapunyal Rugby Club
  • Shepparton Rugby Union Club
  • Southern Districts RUFC
  • Warrnambool Plovers Rugby Union Club
  • Wyndham City Rhinos RUC

Western Australia

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Main article: Rugby union in Western Australia

Rugby Western Australia

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RugbyWA Competition

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  • Arks Rugby Club
  • Associates Rugby Club
  • Bunbury Rugby Club
  • Cottesloe Rugby Club
  • Curtin University Rugby Union Football Club
  • Joondalup Brothers RUFC
  • Kalamunda Rugby Club
  • Mandurah Rugby Club
  • North Coast Rugby Union
  • Midland Hills Rugby Club
  • Nedlands Rugby Club
  • Palmyra Rugby Club
  • Perth Bayswater Rugby Club
  • Rockingham Rugby Club
  • Southern Lions RUFC
  • University of Western Australia RUFC
  • Wanneroo Rugby Club
  • Wests Subiaco RUFC

WA Country RU

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Eastern Goldfields WA Competition
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  • Boulder RUFC
  • Bushwackers RUFC
  • Esperance RUFC
  • Kalgoorlie Stormers Rugby Club
  • Kambalda RUFC
Great Southern Rugby Union
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  • Albany RUFC
  • Denmark Brothers RC
  • Dryandra-Narrogin RUFC
  • Katanning RC
Northern Division RU
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  • Geraldton Internationals RC
  • Paraburdoo RC
South West WA Competition
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  • Bridgetown RUFC
  • Bunbury City RUFC
  • Collie RC
  • Dunsborough RUFC
  • Leeuwin-Margaret River RUFC

Other teams

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History of the ARU". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2006.
  2. ^ International Rugby Board Website:http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000007/index.html Archived 2012-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "| NT Rugby".
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