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

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Wairarapa-Bush began what proved to be a rather dismal season with two heavy defeats, by Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, and weaknesses in defense were again exposed in the final two matches which were lost decisively to Manawatu and an Auckland ‘B’ side. The team did have its bright moments, however, with convincing victories over Wanganui and King Country, and could well have notched its third win had it not infringed in the final minute against Nelson-Bays. With a slice of luck it may well have tumbled the then Ranfurly Shield holders, Marlborough, on its bi-annual visit to Masterton, going down by 15 to 21.

The Union was confronted with early-season problems when the Selector for the past three seasons, Mr. I. A. Aitkenhead, relinquished his post in late April. This gave the new appointee Mr. R. T. Francis (a Wairarapa half-back in 1962) only three weeks to prepare a squad for the annual Wellington fixture. Mr. Francis’s emphasis was on attack, but the inability of the inside backs to make proper use of good forward possession brought about a change of tactics. The captain and halfback, Karatau (who again availed himself for provincial Rugby) reverted to playing back to his forwards, with the result that the August section of the programme was a more satisfying one.

Overall, Karatau filled the halfback role with credit . . . two replacement half-backs were used – Herangi and Henson, both in their first representative season. McEwen possessed plenty of flair at first five-eighth with the ability to find the “gap”, but his defense remains suspect. The regular second five-eighth of 1973, Inder, was replaced after two games by utility back Kjestrup, a 20-year old who made his debut at full-back against Hawke’s Bay on Queen’s Birthday. Another newcomer, Dewar, took over this position for the final four matches — a 22-year old with a neat side-step, but was another to show weak resistance on defense.

The regular centre, Martin, did not stand out as much as in previous seasons, but was still one of the side’s best defenders. His courageous tackling brought about his match replacement on two occasions; he also missed two games through injury. The only two backs to take the field in all ten fixtures were three quarters Robertson and Patrick. Robertson showed plenty of pace on the right wing, but was very ordinary on defense with the reluctance to go in for the solid tackle. Patrick, who made his first-class debut at his club position of centre, was played on the wing for seven games and emerged the “star” of the backline. His defense was sound and his determined running earned him four of the team’s 17 tries.

Fullback Couch, who has now played 50 times for his Union, showed a welcome return in August after being injured in the May encounter with Wellington. His attacking qualities brought much-needed zip to the backline and his accurate boot reaped 15 points in consecutive matches against Nelson-Bays and Marlborough. In all, Couch contributed 64 to his side’s total, bringing his tally to 205 points in five years of representation.

Dalziell (No. 8), Spence and Ryan formed the loose forward trio. Ryan still remained a first-class flanker . . . his speed and anticipation was emphasized when he scored two tries against King Country. The reserve flanker, Cole, was in his first season. Ryan appeared in all 10 fixtures along with the 28-year old lock, Turley who showed mobility around the paddock as well as doing his share of work in the line-outs. Turley (pictured – left) played his 100th first class match in the Bruce Steel Cup fixture with Manawatu. A 23-year old newcomer, Pyatt, became the other regular lock and emerged as a most promising line-out exponent.

The former N.Z. Maori prop Rowlands, returned after a season’s absence and his strength and experience (he has now played 83 first class games) was of immense value to the forward pack which he led with aggressiveness in his seven appearances. Dalton, Narbey and Playle were the other props used.

McGlashan played good football as well as being an efficient hooker; in reserve was the experienced campaigner, Falconer. Thirty-one players were called on for the 10 engagements, nine of whom were new to representative Rugby. Over the four-year period of amalgamation, the Wairarapa-Bush Union has now called on 71 different players.

Of the previous season’s leading players not to make an appearance on the Rugby scene were the winger, L.N.Glover, and K.D.Geange (hooker). The full-back, P. F. Giles, had transferred to Horowhenua where he gained representative honours.

No player from this Union was called on by the National Selectors. –

1974 MATCH RECORD
Played, 10; Won, 2;  Drew 1; Lost, 7
Points: For, 137; Against, 273

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1974 {Total Games}

Cap#		PLAYER	POSITION	CLUB	PL
002		Graham Edmund Falconer	Hooker	Carterton	1
003		William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands	Prop	Red Star	6
004		lan Francis Turley	Loose Forward, Lock	Red Star	10
007		Patrick John Ryan	Loose Forward	Pahiatua	10
009		Laurence Herbert Karatau	Scrumhalf	Masterton	9
010		Roy Te Ra Riwai Couch	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	8
013		Bruce George Martin	Centre	Masterton	8
020		Malcolm Rex Sanson	First Five, Fullback	Masterton	1
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Red Star	9
025		John William Dalziell	Hooker, Prop	East Coast	9
034		Brian J. McConnochie	Flanker, Winger	Masterton	4
038		Robert Turton ‘Bob’ Pringle	Winger	Masterton	1
040		Brian William Narbey	Flanker	Featherston	6
043		Kevin Wyless Inder	Centre	Pahiatua	2
047		Richard Ewing ‘Ritchie’ Robertson	Scrumhalf, Winger	Greytown	10
051		Anthony Robert ’Tony’ Foreman	Lock	Tiraumea	1
054		Clifford William Dalton	Prop	Masterton	6
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	2
057		John ‘Jock’ McEwan	First Five	Masterton	9
060		Brian William James Clarke	Lock	Red Star	1
061		Michael Eric Payton Wyeth	Flanker	Masterton	2
062		Simon James Spence	Flanker	Red Star	7
063		Bruce Bernard Patrick	Centre	Gladstone	10
064		Neil Francis Kjestrup	First Five, Fullback	Gladstone	4
065		Denis John Pyatt	Lock	Masterton	8
066		John William Cole	Flanker	Greytown	3
067		Michael Edward Cornford	Winger	Masterton	1
068		Alan Henry Dewar	First Five	Pahiatua	6
069		Bruce H. Herangi	Scrumhalf	Pioneer	1
070		K.D. O’Donnell	Winger	Pahiatua	1
071		David Henson	Centre	Red Star	1