Marlborough Rugby Union

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Marlborough
Club information
Full nameMarlborough Rugby Union
Nickname(s)The Red Devils
ColoursRed
Founded1888
Exited2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Former details
Ground(s)
CompetitionNPC

Marlborough Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played from 1888 until 2005 when they merged with the neighbouring Nelson Bays Rugby Union to become the Tasman Rugby Union.

Marlborough was founded in 1888 and played at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim.

Championships

Marlborough won three New Zealand Championships during the old NPC, consecutive South Island Division with two titles in 1978 and 1979, and Division 3 in 1997.

Ranfurly Shield

Marlborough held the Ranfurly Shield briefly in the early 1970s which they won against Canterbury in 1973. They managed six defences before losing to South Canterbury, in the second challenge of 1974. Their last challenge came in the first challenge of the 2005 season, however Marlborough could not match Canterbury's strength this time and lost heavily, 3–67.

Hong Kong Sevens

Marlborough reached the final of the 1977 Hong Kong Sevens, finishing runner-up, losing 18–28 to Fiji.

Tasman

Marlborough and Nelson Bays Rugby Union commenced playing as a merged team in the Tasman Rugby Union in the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup.