The club was Athletic and, at its 125th anniversary in Oamaru during the weekend, Arthur (86) and Dick (81) were full of memories of their days on the rugby field, and how much the game had changed.
They were two of three brothers who played in the late 1940s and early 1950s - Jack died about six years ago - and among them they were in 15 winning Citizens Shield teams.
"It was family. All the family played [for Athletic], even the cousins," Dick said about the reason why they joined the club after leaving schoolboy rugby behind at Waitaki Boys' High School.
Their grandfather, Bob, was the first elected secretary after the club was formed in 1886. Their father, Bill, played in the early 1900s. Both Turveys see today's modern game as totally different from the one they played.
"It's more like league now," Dick said.
"They don't even talk about passing any more - it's off-loading," Arthur said.
They think the changes have been bad for the game, losing the old skills.
"There's no rucking, no dribbling - keeping the ball at the toe when it's wet. All those skills from the old days have gone," Dick said.
They also recalled some of the early games and referees, particularly the late Eddie Lapsley, who played for Athletic. When he refereed an Athletic game, the Turveys reckoned he was worth five points.
"The opposition would get close to our line, the whistle would go and we'd get a penalty," Dick said.
Dick played in the forwards - from hooker to No 8 - for Athletic between 1948 and 1956 and was in teams which won five Citizen Shields. He stopped playing when he transferred to Dunedin, except for company matches between The Evening Star and Otago Daily Times, for which he had worked in the North Otago office.
Arthur played in the front row or at lock from 1951 to 1957, again in five Shield-winning teams. He was also club treasurer on three separate occasions.
Jack played straight after World War 2 and was a lock.
The anniversary was attended by about 200 people. Some former players came from Australia.
