The history books show that Rugby was first played in Johnsonville in the late 1890's. The Club, which was formed in 1900, played only friendly matches until 1903 when it affiliated to the Wellington Rugby Football Union.

Since the early days there have been many ups and downs a suspension from WRFU in 1910 and a brief recession during the First World War. There has always been a desire to improve and develop the club and during the 1925 to 1936 period the Club was on the fringe of promotion to Senior 1st Division, a goal achieved in 1937.

The Second World War had its affect on the Club with players joining the Armed Forces, and in 1942 the Club asked to be dropped to Senior 2nd Division. 1st Division status was regained in 1946, but lost in 1948.

The period from 1949 to 1960 again had the Club on the fringe of promotion, coming second in the 1955 & 1956 seasons but with no right to challenge. The next 10 years had the Club in decline with the drop to Senior 3rd division in 1967 and down to only 3 teams.

Then began the resurgence. A climb back to Senior 2nd Division in 1971 and a growth in the number of teams. This heralded the need for more clubroom, social and training space and the move was made to the new Clubrooms and Helston Park in 1978.

The number of teams during 1978 to 1982 was 10 or 11 and the Seniors entered the promotion / relegation series in 1979 & 1980 and gained Senior 1st status in 1981. The club was not able to maintain this and team numbers again dropped away, with the Seniors being relegated in 1983.

A future planning committee was formed in 1987, which formulated goals for the short & medium term and planned for the challenges ahead. One of these was to win the Senior 2nd trophy (Harper Lock Shield) and regain Senior 1st status in 1990; this was achieved on schedule.

Throughout the 1990's Johnsonville has been a permanent fixture in Wellington Rugby's top grade (Premier), culminating in 1998 with the winning of the 1st round trophy (Swindale Shield) and the 2nd team gaining promotion to the Senior 1st Division.

The new millennium saw the celebration of 100 years of Johnsonville Rugby and the club looks forward to the challenges of the 2000's. 

Notable amongst the Senior ranks have been the number of brothers who have played for the club: the Moores, Kenny's, Devereux's, Masterton's & Fisher's in the early years; the Barnes' Bond's, Quarterman's, Eagle's & Ta'ala's in more recent times. While the Cutting, Burns, Ellis, Bruce, and Mullane brothers followed in their father's footsteps.

The club has donated two cups to the Wellington Rugby Football Union, the Ed Chaney Cup and the H.D. Morgan Memorial Cup for Senior 2nd and 3rd competition. These cups were donated in memory of two life members of the club, both men were also active members of the WRFU of which Mr Morgan was made a Life Member.

1900 - JRFC Formed
1903 - Affiliated with WRFU
1937 - JRFU promoted to Senior 1st Division
1942 - Dropped back to 2nd Division
1946 - Regained 1st division status
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1978 - Club moved to new Clubrooms at Helston Park
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