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

Retiring Wairarapa Bush coach Lance Penn did not have the best of seasons for his last one with his team finishing in eighth place in the National Championship and having mixed results for I986. Losses to Second Division sides Wanganui and Hawkes Bay, the latter by a big margin, and drubbings from New Zealand Maoris, Canterbury, Auckland, North Auckland and Wellington were the low points of the season. Wairarapa Bush put up a reasonable showing against Australia and recorded wins over Manawatu, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.

Losses from the 1985 team were Bryan Higginson, who had retired, and Anthony Morris, who was injured. Brett Aitkenhead missed the whole season through sickness while the: 1985 captain, Paul Hawkins, played in only two matches because of injury. Record try scorer Greg Karaitiana was also injured for most of the season. Another loss was Paul Rauleni, who had returned to Fiji. To offset these losses former Southland lock Stuart Walsh was a welcome addition to the pack and Philip Rutene returned after a season with North Auckland. Ilisone Rarasea was a useful recruit from Fiji. Wairarapa Bush had some good individuals who performed well at higher levels but could not foot it as a team with the stronger First Division sides. There was a fair blend of young players with a more experienced group which looks promising for the future.

Mark Benton kicked 111 points during the season to set two records for the union and he was a tricky runner when he joined the backline. Mostly he was a sound defender but he had a rather unhappy day in the Ranfurly Shield challenge. Rarasea and Mike Foster were two strong wings while young Matthew O’Rourke was full of promise at centre. Martin Berry was a talented second five-eighth although his selection for the All Blacks ahead of more accomplished players was hard to understand. Rutene played steadily at first five-eight while Bernie Lett and former captain Graeme Anderson both gave good service at halfback.

Brett Harvey was the best of the forwards, his line out skills being a welcome addition to his hunting ability in the loose. Joe Wyeth, who is reaching the veteran stage, was full of energy on the other flank and Brent Anderson was very strong in the tight where he received unfailing support from Chris Kapene and Bryan Styles. Motu Tua and Tom Hullena were other good forwards.

Wairarapa Bush players to achieve higher honours for 1986 were:
For New Zealand: M. Berry, Harvey, B. Anderson.
North Island: B. Anderson.
New Zealand Trials: M. Berry, Harvey, B. Anderson, Benton, Kapene.
New Zealand Emerging Players: Benton, B. Anderson, Kapene.
New Zealand Maoris: Kapene.
New Zealand Colts: M. Berry.

1986 Match Record: Played 16 ; Won 5 ; Lost 11
Points : For 234 ; Against 382

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1986 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	7
067		Michael Edward Cornford	Winger	Masterton	5
109		Paul Huatahi Hawkins	Loose Forward	Martinborough	2
117		Graeme Wighton ’Bunter’ Anderson	Scrumhalf	Eketahuna	7
123		Christopher Rangi ‘Moose’ Kapene	Lock, Prop	Martinborough	10
131		Joseph George ‘Joe’ Wyeth	Flanker	Masterton	12
142		Gregory Ian Karaitiana	Winger	Masterton	1
143		Charles Huru Aporo Kaka	Centre	Martinborough	1
144		Phillip D. Rutene	First Five, Winger	Masterton	7
147		Bernard James Lett	Scrumhalf	Carterton	11
148		Gary Ian Rolston	Lock	Masterton	4
152		Brett Andrew Harvey	Flanker	Featherston	13
154		Thomas Henry ‘Tom’ Hullena	No. 8	Red Star	15
155		Mark Frederick Clive Benton	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	15
156		Brent Leslie ‘Buck’ Anderson	Lock	Masterton	14
158		Bryan Edward Styles	Prop	Gladstone	15
159		Gregory Ross Gray	Centre, First Five	Marist	1
162		Michael Thomas Foster	Winger	Featherston	16
168		Martin Joseph ’Marty’ Berry	Centre, Fullback	Greytown	13
170		Stewart Neil Cruden	Centre, Loose Forward, Lock	Masterton	12
171		Arthur John Morris	Fullback	Greytown	1
172		Peter Robert Smith	Lock	Martinborough	1
173		Matthew Harvey O’Rourke	Centre, Winger	Masterton	13
174		Christopher Francis William Berry	Prop	Greytown	3
175		Stewart John ‘Stu’ Walsh	Lock	Pioneer	13
176		Motu Tua	Hooker	Tararua	15
177		Peter William Sargent	Flanker	Featherston	3
178		Hemi Takatou Taylor	Flanker	Carterton	4
179		Ilisone S. Rarasea	Winger	Carterton	13
180		William Paku	Prop	Masterton	1
181		lvan Tony Karaitiana	Centre, Scrumhalf	Masterton	2
182		Patrick.D.’Paddy’ Berry	Flanker	Greytown	3