Blues RC (Invercargill) is an amateur rugby union team that plays in the Premier Division of Southland Club Rugby. Founded in 1874, the club has a prestigious history, and it boasts 31 Galbraith Shield titles including a record period of eight in a row.
The club also has a strong women's rugby team.
Notable players
Blues has had many players achieve Southland Stags honours as well as a number of All Blacks and other New Zealand representatives.
The following have represented the All Blacks.
Player All Black number Year of All Black debutHenry Braddon21884Simon Culhane 946 1995Ethan de Groot 11972021Elliot Dixon 1149 2016Les George 439 1938Paul Henderson8971989James O'Donnell 9 1884Steven Pokere 825 1981
The club has also had a representative of the New Zealand women's national rugby union team (Black Ferns), Amy Rule.
Other notable players include: Michael Fatialofa David Henderson Kendrick Lynn Jay Renton, New Zealand under-20 representative Daniel Townson James Wilson John Hayes, Irish and British and Lions Test playerMurray Kinsella, 'How John Hayes became a prop at the end of the world in New Zealand'. The42ie, 24 June 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2025
Galbraith Shield victories
1911 & 1912 1930 & 1931 1936 & 1937 1939 1945-1947 1958 1964 1967 1970 & 1971 1974 1977 1981-1983 1987-1994 2003 2005 2019
References
See also Blues Invercargill Southland Rugby Clubs Howitt, Bob. Article: Southland's oldest club. Rugby News magazine (November 2023). Charlotte Smulders (Publisher), New Zealand.