The hills and thrills are behind us. The hard work has been done. Now it’s time for the final hit-outs before the season properly begins. It concluded with a camp to remember! Last Saturday, our wider  group headed off for a pre-season camp with a difference in Matakana. This was no ordinary getaway. The military-style camp pushed the boys above and below ground, through water trenches and mud, and even included surfing on tables. It was tough. It was demanding. And most importantly, it built genuine togetherness. The result? A stronger, tighter group — and a few very tired bodies on the bus ride home.

Auckland University match  – this Saturday 7 March

This weekend marks a special occasion for North Shore Rugby Club as we take the field as a newly appointed University-affiliated club, lining up against one of the countries proudest University stalwarts – Auckland University Rugby Football Club.

Both our wider Premier squad and our U21s will be in action at Colin Maiden Park this Saturday.

• Premier squad kick-off: 12.00pm
• U21 kick-off: 1.30pm

It promises to be a great early test against quality opposition.

Hamilton Road Trip – 14 March

Following this weekend’s Auckland University fixtures, we’re back on the bus with four teams heading south to take on Hamilton Marist Rugby Club on Saturday 14 March.

We will field our U85s; U21s; Bs and As. They will be up against the Waikato reigning champions, and this will be another valuable benchmark as we edge closer to the season proper.

Big Stage Opportunity – 21 March

Of real excitement is Saturday 21 March, when our Premier A side takes on Ponsonby Rugby Club at North Harbour Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders clash. Our U21s and B's will play earlier at Takapuna Grammar

• Premier A: 4.15pm (curtain-raiser) at North Harbour Stadium
• Premier B: 12.30pm at Takapuna Grammar #2
• U21: 11.00am at Takapuna Grammar #2

A huge occasion and a fantastic opportunity for our Premier group to perform on a big stage.

28 March – Final Tune-Up

On 28 March, the Premier A & B teams have drawn a bye in the opening round of the regular season competition. However, our U21s will round out their pre-season campaign against College Rifles Rugby Football Club, with the match hopefully to be played at Vauxhall Road (confirmation to come).

There’s real momentum building across the club. The work has been done. The connections have been strengthened. Now it’s time to see where we’re at.

We look forward to seeing plenty of Shore supporters on the sidelines over the coming weeks as we launch into 2026 together.

Article added: Tuesday 03 March 2026