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

Wairarapa Bush showed considerable improvement on the dismal 1996 effort, scoring three good wins in the NPC matches. With the early-season games not having first class status, the official programme was unusually brief.

Only seven of the 1996 squad returned, giving the team something of a new look. Outside players added strength to the side and enabled Wairarapa Bush to play some attractive football. A consistent selection policy also paid off.

Fullback Russell Thompson, adept at mounting counter-attacks and a plucky defender, played well throughout. His positional play also impressed. Peter Bresaz had another good season, setting up his wings and defending well, while Greg Kingi was a strong finisher and a good tackler.

Brendon Thomas impressed in midfield. At first five-eighth, Nathan Couch created openings for his outsides and was an accurate tactical kicker. He received reliable service from halfback and
captain Neil Foote.

Mike Robinson, Steve Veitch and Bruce Bowie were busy loose forwards who chased hard and tackled strongly. Danish import Mike Jeppesen used his height to advantage in the lineouts, where he stood out in every game. Manu Faraimo, Gavin Cayless, Tom Lightfoot and Kerry Hargood toiled hard in the tight.

1997 NPC Second Division Match Record: Played 8; Won 3 ; Lost 5
Points : For 172 ; Against 343

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1997 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
197		Peter R. Bresaz	Centre	Masterton Red Star	9
201		Bruce Donald Bowie	Flanker	Puketoi	9
205		Robert Ihaka Rutene	Centre, Fullback	Carterton	1
222		Gavin Martin Cayless	Hooker	Marist	8
229		Neil Michael William Foote	First Five, Scrumhalf	Greytown	9
232		Shane Clifton Coley	Prop	Masterton Red Star	4
259		Nicholas Lindsay Scott	Centre	Greytown	1
262		Kerry Todd Hargood	Lock	Marist	9
268		Faleono Tufuga	Lock	Pioneer	1
287		Nathan Leslie Arekateia Riwai-Couch	First Five, Fullback	Marist	7
289		Tom Lightfoot	Hooker, Prop	Marist	5
291		David Roger Smith	Flanker	Eketahuna	1
292		Mana N. Faraimo	Prop	Carterton	9
293		Chris Lumen	Hooker	Masterton Red Star	1
294		N. Whisker	Lock	Gladstone	1
295		Steven Veitch	Flanker, Lock	Gladstone	6
296		Aaron Wayne Satchwell	No. 8	Eketahuna	4
297		George H. Rogers	Winger	Greytown	4
298		Pani Banivalu	Winger	Marist	4
299		Graham Hugh Bolsted	Fullback	Marist	2
300		Troy David Para	Scrumhalf	Marist	5
301		Michael James Gibbs	Lock	Eketahuna	1
302		Simon William Edward Searle	Flanker	Carterton	8
303		Boxer Flutey	Utility Back	Martinborough	1
304		Brendon Paul Thomas	Centre	Puketoi	8
305		Richard James Tuhaka	Hooker	Wellington	3
306		Michael Jeppesen	Lock	Denmark	8
307		Michael Raymond Robinson	Loose Forward, Lock	Wellington	8
308		Gregory Sheldon Kingi	Winger	Wellington	6
309		Russell Tipene Thompson	Centre, Fullback	Marist	8
310		Benjamin Francis Couch	First Five, Winger	Marist	4
311		Anthony O’Connell	Centre	Wellington	4
312		Taka Vakaloloma	Hooker	Wellington	2

#CAP		NAME	SEASON
—		Penalty Try	2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2015, 2014, 2008, 1987, 2003, 2002, 2013, 1990, 2010, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999	1