Play rugby in New Zealand

Do you want to test your skills in the most rugby mad nation on the planet? Or are you traveling to New Zealand and want to immerse yourself in a local amateur club?

Marist St Pats has a proud history of welcoming overseas players into our club family. Every season we welcome a number of players from around the globe who are looking for an authentic New Zealand rugby experience - whatever their skill level.

In the last few seasons players from France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, United States, Samoa, Australia, Canada and Japan (to name a few!) have discovered the brotherhood and improved their skills along the way. While as an amateur club we cannot help financially, we will provide a supportive environment when you get here.

Heading to the over side of the world can be a daunting experience, but playing at Marist St Pats has made the Kiwi experience a rewarding and memorable one.

If you are coming from overseas and looking to play rugby in New Zealand get in touch by email at msprugby@xtra.co.nz

IRB Clearance Form

International Clearances are a requirement under the International Rugby Board (IRB) Regulations which apply to all countries that are members of the IRB. A player is not eligible to play rugby in another country at any level until they have a valid International Clearance.

Clearance from Another Country to New Zealand (Source: Community Rugby)

The process is generally quicker and smoother if this is initiated with the player's current International Union and completed before the player returns to New Zealand:

  1. The player must complete and sign the IRB clearance form and seek the approval of the overseas club that they are playing for.
  2. The overseas club will then forward the form onto its National Union, who will sign and stamp the "Current Union" section of the clearance and forward it to NZR.
  3. NZR will finalise the clearance by signing and stamping the "New Union" section and sending a copy to the New Zealand Provincial Union and the departed National Union.
  4. The new Provincial Union will inform the club that the player has been cleared.
  5. The Club should notify the player accordingly.

Download IRB International Clearance Form.


Manu Quintane (France) with Ken Kapeli from 2015 Marist St Pats Premiers
MoST Content Management V3.0.7525