We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union. We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series from the season’s 1934 through to 2020 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

A consistent selection policy by coach Roger Dee, who used only 23 players for the season, was reflected in the improved placing of Wairarapa Bush in 1991. Fifth in the second division was a fair effort but the team had the ability to achieve a higher placing. Except for the King Country game, Wairarapa Bush suffered no big defeats in championship matches. The best performance, however, came in the game against Romania, in which the union recorded its first win over an international team.

The return of former All Black Marty Berry from Wellington was a bonus. Not only was Berry, who captained the side, a reliable goalkicker but he also used his experience and strength to advantage at second five-eighth. Fullback Mark Benton again gave outstanding service as did David Rutene, a hard-running wing. Peter Bresaz ran his wings in well and there was some smart work from Greg Gray at first five-eighth. Veteran halfback Bernie Lett was his usual reliable self. He and Benton have passed their century of games for their union and their contribution over the years has been tremendous.

Two newcomers, John Hutchins and Vernon Boyce, locked the scrum in all games and should be able to build on the experience gained in 1992. Bruce Bowie, Paddy Berry and Greg Hawkins hunted well in the loose and were never far from the ball. The experienced front row of Chris Berry, Brian Styles and Motu Tua, who had last appeared in 1988, was a very efficient unit.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Divisional XV: Rutene , Styles .

1991 Match Record: Played 11 ; Won 4 ; Lost  7
Points : For 205 ; Against 228

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1991 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
132		Mervyn James Dudley	Loose Forward	Masterton	2
147		Bernard James Lett	Scrumhalf	Carterton	11
155		Mark Frederick Clive Benton	First Five, Fullback	Carterton	10
158		Bryan Edward Styles	Prop	Carterton	11
159		Gregory Ross Gray	Centre, First Five	Marist	10
160		Michael Craig O’Connor	Winger	Carterton	7
163		David Rutene	Centre	Masterton	10
168		Martin Joseph ’Marty’ Berry	Centre, Fullback	Featherston	11
174		Christopher Francis William Berry	Prop	Featherston	10
176		Motu Tua	Hooker	Eketahuna	10
182		Patrick D.’Paddy’ Berry	Flanker	Featherston	10
189		Gregory Richard Hawkins	No. 8	Martinborough	10
197		Peter R. Bresaz	Centre	Red Star	8
200		Graham Charles Richardson	Loose Forward	Eketahuna	4
201		Bruce Donald Bowie	Flanker	Puketoi	11
213		Vernon Mark Boyce	Lock	Martinborough	11
214		John Adrian Hutchins	Lock	Carterton	11
215		James Huatahi Shirkey	Winger	Martinborough	6
216		Davin James Heaps	Hooker	Red Star	1
217		Timothy Lane Penn	Hooker, Prop	Gladstone	3
218		Ross K. Wakeling	First Five	East Coast	1
219		Quentin Geoffrey O’Neale	Centre, Fullback	Masterton	4
220		Ian D. Sargent	Winger	Featherston	1