When the New Zealand Rugby Union reviewed the domestic competitions in 2005, a new 14 team premier division of competition was created, as the Air New Zealand Cup, taking the place of the National Provincial Championship. The restructured domestic competition opened the door for the Nelson Bays and Marlborough Rugby Unions to form a relationship, forming one organisation in an attempt to be awarded a position in the new competition.
Club rugby
There are 20 clubs in the Tasman Union.
Representative team
The TRU's premier team is the "Tasman Mako", which compete in New Zealand's provincial rugby competition, the Mitre 10 Cup.
Seasons
2006
A Tasman XV played Canada 'A' on April 26, 2006 at Trafalgar Park. The Tasman side won by 40 points, the final score being 48 points to eight. The Makos were grouped in Pool A of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup. In their first ever match in the Air New Zealand Cup, the Makos earned a bonus point in a loss to the North Harbour team, losing 33 points to 27. They were defeated by Auckland the following week by 40 points. However, the Makos won their first match in round three, defeating Manawatu by 43 points to 0. Their only other win of the season came at home against Northland, with an impressive 56–15 win. Despite the season record of just 2 wins and 7 losses, the Makos showed the ability to compete and provided a platform to build for the future. Ti'i Paulo captained the side.
2007
The 2007 season was disappointing for the Makos, finishing the season with a record of 2 wins and 8 losses. Wins came against and, with close losses against and.
2008
Early on in the 2008 season, the NZRFU announced that Tasman and would be relegated from the competition at the end of the season, due to failing to meet a set of criteria including financial stability. With the axe hovering over them, the Makos produced their best season yet, silencing their critics. In round 2 against, Tasman first five Miah Nikora nailed a stunning last minute drop-goal to snatch a 14–16 victory and claim the Makos first scalp over a major union. This was followed with wins over,, and a draw against to see the Makos finish the season 7th on the ladder. Facing a strong side in the quarter-finals, the Makos went down 48–10. However, their strong season coupled with public pressure forced the NZRFU to reverse its decision and announce that Tasman and would remain in the competition.
2009
There were doubts as to whether Tasman would contest the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, with funding issues and disagreement amongst its stakeholders on its future. However, these disputes were resolved and Tasman finished the 2009 season in 9th place with 6 wins and 7 losses, with their most memorable performance coming in round 9 against. Tasman won 12–8 in the most significant result of their short history. The Makos had come fromthe brink of extinction to topple the biggest union in the country.
2010
2010 was disappointing for the Makos, finishing the season in 12th place on the ladder with just 4 wins, failing to hold on to their mid-table status achieved in the previous two seasons. However, the Makos managed to upset eventual champions and neighbours in round 4, with a famous 27–25 victory at Trafalgar Park.
2011
Despite just 2 wins and 14th spot, the Tasman Makos in were well received by their fans by playing a positive attacking brand of rugby that included 4 losses by 4 points or less. Famous victories were achieved against 21–19 and 30–28. Shane Christie and James Marshall were selected for the New Zealand Sevens team.
Tasman has not held the Ranfurly Shield but Marlborough held the shield for six challenges in 1973. Tasman have been involved in just two Ranfurly Shield challenges since the union's inception in 2006. Tasman lost their first challenge 26–20 at the hands of Wellington in 2008 and their second challenge 49–40 to Taranaki in 2012.
Tasman Mako players and fans have a tradition of raising their hand on top of their head to symbolise a shark fin whenever a try is scored. The simple gesture started in 2009 during a home game against Auckland in Nelson when Tasman captain Andrew Goodman threw up a fin after his brilliant run resulted in a try. This celebration is collegially known as "Fins Up" and has become a common hashtag amongst the team and its supporters.
