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 was the big mover of the third division. From sixth position, with just three wins in 2003, the team lost just once during the round robin to finish second highest qualifier. Poverty Bay, having lost two games, amassed seven bonus points to head off Wairarapa Bush as top qualifier. The success could be attributed to the union’s policy, established the previous year, of using local club players only. Coach Peter Russell was forced, however, to bring in Esavo Tiko for the NPC. It was the union’s best record in recent times and the team’s success quickly attracted back public support. In the final, against a Poverty Bay team stacked with quality loan players, Wairarapa Bush were outgunned but this union should feel confident that they have successfully achieved by using their own resources.

The best performances were against Horowhenua Kapiti, King Country and the back-to-back wins over Mid Canterbury. A feature of the squad was its consistency of selection; the backline was unchanged in six successive games. Peter Russell was fortunate injuries did not influence selection to any extent, only Jiogi Tamani was missed, having suffered a broken arm early season. He appeared for Bay of Plenty in 1996 and NZ Sevens, briefly, in 1997.

The outstanding player was Stu Smith. His locking partner was either Dan Griffin or the most improved forward Dan Joblin. All three stand 2 metres tall which gave the team lineout advantages. Highly promising 20-year-old Rob Foreman was the hooker with another prospect, Dylan Higgison, at prop. Logan Ili and Kojak Faioso both appeared in every game in the frontrow. Mike Robinson again led the side from No 8 with Brian Saolele and promising Sam Henderson on the sides.

Hamish McKenzie and James Bruce shared time at halfback while outside them were experienced five-eighths in accurate goalkicker Patrick Rimene and Nathan Riwai-Couch. At centre Simanu Simanu was the best of the backs and on the wings Esavo Tiko and Jaco Pieterse. Tiko scored seven tries to equal the union record in NPC rugby for tries in a season. Richard Carroll was again at fullback. Simanu and Stu Smith were selected for the Divisional trials.

2004 Pre-Season Match Record: Played 1 ; Lost 1
Points :For 15 ; Against 35

2004 NPC Third Division Match Record: Played 9 ; Won 6; Drew 1 ; Lost 2
Points : For 206; Against 166

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2004 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
278		Richard John Carroll	Fullback	Pioneer	10
287		Nathan Leslie Arekateia Riwai-Couch	First Five, Fullback	Marist	9
291		David Roger Smith	Flanker	Eketahuna	1
307		Michael Raymond Robinson	Loose Forward, Lock	Gladstone	9
309		Russell Tipene Thompson	Centre, Fullback	Gladstone	1
310		Benjamin Francis Couch	First Five, Winger	Marist	6
336		James Clayton Bruce	Scrumhalf	Gladstone	9
343		Patrick Harding-Rimene	First Five, Fullback	Marist	10
347		Logan Fiaui Ili	Prop	Carterton	10
364		Stuart Graeme Smith	Lock	Eketahuna	10
369		Richard Allan McDonald	Flanker, Hooker	Carterton	7
371		Frederik Jacobes ‘Jaco’ Pieterse	Centre	Marist	9
372		Anthony James Hullena	Fullback, Winger	Eketahuna	1
375		Bryan Saolele	Flanker	Carterton	10
397		Hamish Mavor McKenzie	Scrumhalf	Eketahuna	10
403		Simanu Filisoa Simanu	Centre	Eketahuna	9
408		Dylan Morgan Higgison	Prop	Greytown/Tuhirangi	9
411		Damien Connolly	Winger	Carterton	1
412		Steven Gerald Olds	Centre	Eketahuna	4
415		Brendan Hiona Walker	Prop	Eketahuna	1
421		Robert William Foreman	Hooker	Eketahuna	10
422		Daniel Joseph Griffin	Lock	Eketahuna	10
423		Samuel West Henderson	Flanker	Gladstone	10
424		Usoali’i ‘Kojak’ Faioso	Prop	Eketahuna	10
425		Daniel Paul Joblin	Lock	Gladstone	10
426		Sylvanus Raeburn ‘Silvo’ Iro	Loose Forward, Lock	Greytown-Tuhirangi	9
427		Esava Tiko	Winger	Oriental-Rongotai , Wellington RU	9
428		Jiogi Bavono ‘George’ Tamani	Winger	Eketahuna	4