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? With borders reopened we are excited to welcome overseas players to Marist St Pats.

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, Fiji, 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 have a community that can help you get on your feet and 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. When players head home after playing at Marist St Pats, they leave as family.

If you've landed on this page via Google, you may like to learn more about our club:

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

Joseph Campbell (UK) was awarded Most Meritorious Premier Reserve player in 2023

International clearance

International clearance is a requirement under the World Rugby Regulations which apply to all countries that are members of World Rugby. A player or team 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: NZ Rugby)

The player must complete the appropriate international clearance form from the National Union the player is coming from.

The player must send this to their overseas club to approve. The overseas club will then forward this on to its National Union, who will approve and sign the clearance and forward it to New Zealand Rugby.

New Zealand Rugby will record the information in the National Rugby Database, finalise the clearance and send a copy to the New Zealand Provincial Union and the departed National Union.

The new Provincial Union will inform the club that the player has been cleared.

The club should notify the player accordingly. Please contact your club or Provincial Union if you would like a copy of your clearance, not New Zealand Rugby.

Please note, if the correct process has not been followed the international clearance may take longer to complete.

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