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

Successful in only two of its 12 fixtures, defeating Poverty Bay and East Coast, both by wide margins, Wairarapa-Bush experienced a disappointing season. As indicated they could win and win well, and it is difficult to account for the lack of success in other matches. The side generally was a very young one with experienced players such as Patrick, Blake and Clarke appearing in only the first three matches. No fewer than 11 of the 29 players called on were making their first appearance in first-class Rugby.

Rowlands again captained the side when he was available, Snook acting in his absence. The leading forwards were Cooper, a strong, tall No.8 who had previously played in Rotorua, Foreman, tall lock who had previously represented in 1974; Cole, lock or side-ranker and hard worker, and new representatives, Schofield, lock, and McKenzie, side-ranker. Turley’s strength and height were useful in the later matches he has now appeared in 146 representative matches. McGlashan; hooker in the earlier match was later replaced by new 22-year-old Thompson who had gained selection as a flanker. Playle, Fauval and newcomer Hansen were the props.

Robertson was again a lively half-back, with Stuart, from Lincoln as substitute. Snook was a reliable good-handling first five-eighths. After again appearing in earlier games at five-eighths, Huriwai was later a fast and lively siderow forward. The 19-year-old Cotter shows considerable promise at second-five-eighths, as also does the 20 year old Reedy, a fast and elusive centre who had represented East Coast. Cornford, 22-year-old winger who had last represented in 1974 was a big powerful runner with the 20-year-old Spowart a speedy three-quarter. Kjestrup is one of the best full-backs in the country, a strong and safe defender, eager attacker, and a reliable place-kick — he registered 67 points this season. Another interesting new comer was the 19-year-old 6ft 3in Hawkins.

Cotter represented New Zealand Juniors in Queensland and Rowlands played in the Prince of Wales cup match.

1978 Match Record: Played 12 : Won 2; Lost 10 
Points : For 140; Against 200

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1978 {Total Games}

CAP#		PLAYER	POSITION	CLUB	PL
003		William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands	Prop	Masterton Red Star	5
004		lan Francis Turley	Loose Forward, Lock	Masterton Red Star	4
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Masterton Red Star	6
047		Richard Ewing ‘Ritchie’ Robertson	Scrumhalf, Winger	Greytown	8
049		Ian Barry Blake	First Five	Carterton	3
051		Anthony Robert ’Tony’ Foreman	Lock	Eketahuna	5
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	9
060		Brian William James Clarke	Lock	Masterton Red Star	3
063		Bruce Bernard Patrick	Centre	Gladstone	3
064		Neil Francis Kjestrup	First Five, Fullback	Gladstone	12
066		John William Cole	Flanker	Greytown	11
067		Michael Edward Cornford	Winger	Eketahuna	12
076		David James Pitt	Flanker	Greytown	2
082		Bruce Douglas McKenzie	Flanker	Tiraumea (A)	6
088		Hona T. Huriwai	Utility Back	Masterton Red Star	9
098		Ian Robert Snook	First Five	Pioneer	7
100		James Alfred ‘Jimmy’ Cotter	Centre	Carterton	11
103		Dallas Archer Spowart	Winger	Masterton Red Star	10
104		Ralph R. Fauval	Prop	Masterton Red Star	4
106		Stephen Reihana Thompson	Flanker, Hooker	Gladstone	12
107		Ross Melville Cooper	Loose Forward	Tuhirangi	11
108		Bruce Colin Stuart	Scrumhalf	Pongaroa (A)	5
109		Paul Huatahi Hawkins	Loose Forward	Martinborough	1
110		Alan C. Schofield	Lock, Prop	East Coast	8
111		Gary James Daysh	Flanker	Carterton	1
112		Henry Fitzgerald Reedy	Centre	Pioneer	9
113		Russell George Geange	Centre	Carterton	3
114		Bruce Hendry Mitchinson	Lock	Masterton	2
115		Quinton Wayne Hansen	Prop	Tuhirangi	4

(A) Puketoi Sub-union