Erik Luinenburg - Player
Punishing, physical, tenacious, fearless and ferocious, intense and ruthless are but a few of the
adjectives ascribed to Erik Luinenburg’s on field play by teammates and foes alike. Humble, gracious,
respectful, and quick with a handshake and a smile were his trademarks off the field. If one were to
ascribe to the notion that rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen, Erik was the consummate
example and sportsman.
Possessing height, strength, fitness and speed Erik played in the back row and was equally adept at all
three positions. Those who coached Erik described his defensive work as outstanding and one of the
first to any breakdown in play. Offensively his athletic ability allowed him to excel as a support player
with ball-handling skills the envy of many a midfield player. In addition, he proved to be an invaluable
and accurate lineout jumper; this during a time when lineout jumpers could not be lifted by other team
members.
Erik played his Rugby during the halcyon days of Manitoba Rugby. With the formation of the School’s
Rugby Union in 1974 Winnipeg saw an almost immediate flourishing of Rugby talent amongst
participating schools. Between 1975 and 1977 Erik attended St. James Collegiate which fielded
extraordinarily strong teams where he distinguished himself early on as a stand-out player.
Following graduation from high school, Erik enjoyed a rather nomadic rugby journey starting in 1978
with a local St. James area club called the Zots. There he stayed until 1985 when the St. James team
folded and he joined the Saracens RFC helping it win both League and Provincial Premier Division
Championships that year. In 1986 Erik moved on to the Griffons RFC, (an amalgamation of former St.
James Zots and St. Vital Buccaneers players), to reunite with Zot compatriots Bill Zubrack (2018 MRHOF
Official), Tim Kist, Rob Gereghty, Blaine Abram, Dave Finnbogason and others. Then in 1987, when the
Griffons were unable to field a 1 st Division/Premiership squad, Erik and many of his Zot compatriots were
to join the Wanderers RFC. Here they were to find success winning the Provincial Premier Division
Championship in 1987 and both the League and the Provincial Premier Division Championships in 1989.
Eric remained with the Wanderers RFC until 1992 playing his last rugby game against the Saracens in the
Provincial Premier Division Championship. Unfortunately due to time constraints and a legendary
recurring dislocating shoulder, this was to be Erik’s last foray in Premiership rugby. In 1993 Erik and
many other older players with provincial team credentials were to join a team of Manitoba Old Boys
formulated by the University of Manitoba Wombats. Here Erik was to continue to enjoy time spent with
old friends and team mates.
Between 1979 and 1992 Erik contribute significantly to many of Manitoba’s provincial team programs. In
1979 Erik was introduced late to Provincial team rugby joining the Manitoba Under 20 Men’s program
where he was to garner notice by selectors in Fredericton, New Brunswick at the Canadian Nationals.
From then on he represented the province playing on virtually every Sr. Men’s team, again garnering
notice from national selectors. In 1990 Erik was selected to a Prairie 15s team, consisting of the best
players from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to play host in Winnipeg, on Oct. 27 th to a New
Zealand All Blacks Development squad that was touring across Canada that year. Coinciding with his last
year of Premiership club rugby in 1992, Erik played his last Sr. Men’s provincial representative game in
St. John’s Newfoundland.
Throughout it all, Erik Luinenburg demonstrated a unique toughness and an intense love of and for the
game and clearly enjoyed both the camaraderie and the contest regardless of the level of play.
Punishing, physical, tenacious, fearless and ferocious, intense and ruthless are but a few of the
adjectives ascribed to Erik Luinenburg’s on field play by teammates and foes alike. Humble, gracious,
respectful, and quick with a handshake and a smile were his trademarks off the field. If one were to
ascribe to the notion that rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen, Erik was the consummate
example and sportsman.
Possessing height, strength, fitness and speed Erik played in the back row and was equally adept at all
three positions. Those who coached Erik described his defensive work as outstanding and one of the
first to any breakdown in play. Offensively his athletic ability allowed him to excel as a support player
with ball-handling skills the envy of many a midfield player. In addition, he proved to be an invaluable
and accurate lineout jumper; this during a time when lineout jumpers could not be lifted by other team
members.
Erik played his Rugby during the halcyon days of Manitoba Rugby. With the formation of the School’s
Rugby Union in 1974 Winnipeg saw an almost immediate flourishing of Rugby talent amongst
participating schools. Between 1975 and 1977 Erik attended St. James Collegiate which fielded
extraordinarily strong teams where he distinguished himself early on as a stand-out player.
Following graduation from high school, Erik enjoyed a rather nomadic rugby journey starting in 1978
with a local St. James area club called the Zots. There he stayed until 1985 when the St. James team
folded and he joined the Saracens RFC helping it win both League and Provincial Premier Division
Championships that year. In 1986 Erik moved on to the Griffons RFC, (an amalgamation of former St.
James Zots and St. Vital Buccaneers players), to reunite with Zot compatriots Bill Zubrack (2018 MRHOF
Official), Tim Kist, Rob Gereghty, Blaine Abram, Dave Finnbogason and others. Then in 1987, when the
Griffons were unable to field a 1 st Division/Premiership squad, Erik and many of his Zot compatriots were
to join the Wanderers RFC. Here they were to find success winning the Provincial Premier Division
Championship in 1987 and both the League and the Provincial Premier Division Championships in 1989.
Eric remained with the Wanderers RFC until 1992 playing his last rugby game against the Saracens in the
Provincial Premier Division Championship. Unfortunately due to time constraints and a legendary
recurring dislocating shoulder, this was to be Erik’s last foray in Premiership rugby. In 1993 Erik and
many other older players with provincial team credentials were to join a team of Manitoba Old Boys
formulated by the University of Manitoba Wombats. Here Erik was to continue to enjoy time spent with
old friends and team mates.
Between 1979 and 1992 Erik contribute significantly to many of Manitoba’s provincial team programs. In
1979 Erik was introduced late to Provincial team rugby joining the Manitoba Under 20 Men’s program
where he was to garner notice by selectors in Fredericton, New Brunswick at the Canadian Nationals.
From then on he represented the province playing on virtually every Sr. Men’s team, again garnering
notice from national selectors. In 1990 Erik was selected to a Prairie 15s team, consisting of the best
players from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to play host in Winnipeg, on Oct. 27 th to a New
Zealand All Blacks Development squad that was touring across Canada that year. Coinciding with his last
year of Premiership club rugby in 1992, Erik played his last Sr. Men’s provincial representative game in
St. John’s Newfoundland.
Throughout it all, Erik Luinenburg demonstrated a unique toughness and an intense love of and for the
game and clearly enjoyed both the camaraderie and the contest regardless of the level of play.