Recent history

•1970 – Nelson Rugby Club amalgamated with the Golden Bay- Motueka Union to form Nelson Bays Rugby Union
•2005 – Nelson Bays Rugby Union amalgamated with Marlborough Rugby Union. Formation of the Tasman Makos

There have been three all Blacks and six members with South Island representation; other first-class sides such as New Zealand trial teams, Seddon Shield districts sides and various combine XVs have had Nelson Rugby Club men included. Then, too, Since the formation of Nelson Rugby Union, of which the club as a foundation member, as many as 224 players from the club have warned that the regalia of the union, some with a long list of representation to indicate the strength and ability of those who had gained selection and the honours which go with.

Perhaps the most notable of the achievements of Nelson Rugby Football Club is the fact that of the 418 first-class matches played by Nelson Rugby Football Union to the time of the Nelson Bays experimental amalgamation in 1969, only two of the union’s teams have taken the field without a Nelson Rugby Football Club player being included. A very fine record has been put together in the senior championship competition as well, whilst many lower grade titles have also gone to the club.