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
Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:
2006Season |
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Perhaps the most lasting impression of Wairarapa Bush’s Meads Cup title will be the team’s tenacious defence, not only in the final against Wanganui, but also the week earlier against North Otago in the semi-final. On both occasions the side had to repel wave upon wave of charges at their line during the final ten minutes of play.
It was desperate defence, players had to make big tackles, get up and tackle again, and again. Had they cracked in the semi·fina1 there would have been no next week for the Bush. Had they cracked in the final there would have been no glory. For many in the team it was their third final in three years, they were accustomed to pressure.
The 2006 team may not have the quality players of former decades when the union was once in the NPC first division, or earlier when the Ranfurly Shield was held but it is doubtful any previous team would have defended more valiantly than the 2006 side. It was the heroic defensive effort which brought home the prize and for that success the team should be long remembered in Wairarapa Bush history alongside the great eras of the past.
Hooker Joe Harwood was an inspiring captain forming a solid frontrow with Dylan Higgison and Albertus Buckle. Former captain Mike Robinson and Tomasi Kedrabuka were a tower of strength at lock with the tall Fijian Langi Peters a handy substitute. Sam Henderson, Sylvanus Iro and Michael Spence were equal to any loose forward trio in the competition.
The inside backs were seasoned players in halfbacks Hamish McKenzie and James Bruce, and first five Patrick Rimene, who set a new point scoring record for the union. Nathan Riwai-Couch was a rock at second five while Simanu Simanu was efficient but did not score the tries he achieved a year earlier. Etuale ‘Junior’ Togia and Francis Seumanutafa were dangerous on the wings, both newcomers from Wellington. At fullback another Wellington player, Peato Lafaele, was a dangerous counter-attacker.
Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland XV: Harwood, Henderson, Higgison, Iro, McKenzie, Rimene, Riwai-Couch.
2006 Pre-Season Match Record: Played 1 ; Lost 1
Points :For 10 ; Against 96
2006 Heartland Match Record: Played 10; Won 9; Lost 1
Points :For 252 ; Against 163
2006
Tue 11 Jul | 2:30 pm | Ranfurly Shield | Canterbury v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 96 - 10 | Match Center |
Sat 19 Aug | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Buller | 31 - 13 | Match Center |
Sat 26 Aug | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Wairarapa-Bush RU v West Coast | 31 - 18 | Match Center |
Sat 02 Sep | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Ngāti Porou East Coast v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 06 - 10 | Match Center |
Sat 09 Sep | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Wairarapa-Bush RU v North Otago | 19 - 18 | Match Center |
Sat 16 Sep | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Mid Canterbury v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 19 - 20 | Match Center |
Sat 23 Sep | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Horowhenua-Kapiti | 31 - 11 | Match Center |
Sat 30 Sep | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Wairarapa-Bush RU v South Canterbury | 47 - 17 | Match Center |
Sat 07 Oct | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship | Whanganui v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 28 - 22 | Match Center |
Sat 14 Oct | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship-S/F Meads Cup | Wairarapa-Bush RU v North Otago | 25 - 19 | Match Center |
Mon 23 Oct | 2:30 pm | Heartland Championship-Meads Cup Final | Whanganui v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 14 - 16 | Match Center |
Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2006 {Total Games}
#CAP | NAME | POSITION | CLUB | PL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
287 | Nathan Leslie Arekateia Riwai-Couch | First Five, Fullback | Marist | 10 | |
307 | Michael Raymond Robinson | Loose Forward, Lock | Upper Hutt – Wellington RU | 11 | |
336 | James Clayton Bruce | Scrumhalf | Gladstone | 10 | |
343 | Patrick Harding-Rimene | First Five, Fullback | Marist | 11 | |
363 | Joseph Rua ‘Joe’ Harwood | Hooker, Prop | Carterton | 11 | |
397 | Hamish Mavor McKenzie | Scrumhalf | Eketahuna | 11 | |
403 | Simanu Filisoa Simanu | Centre | Eketahuna | 11 | |
408 | Dylan Morgan Higgison | Prop | Greytown-Tuhirangi | 11 | |
415 | Brendan Hiona Walker | Prop | Eketahuna | 10 | |
423 | Samuel West Henderson | Flanker | Gladstone | 11 | |
426 | Sylvanus Raeburn ‘Silvo’ Iro | Loose Forward, Lock | Greytown-Tuhirangi | 11 | |
429 | Tomasi Talacanavatu Kedrabuka | Lock | Carterton | 11 | |
430 | Corey Geoffrey Reid | Lock | Marist | 1 | |
436 | Thomas Harmon | Centre, Winger | Pioneer | 2 | |
439 | Brett Robert Rudman | Prop | Greytown-Tuhirangi | 11 | |
440 | Michael Robert Spence | Loose Forward | Gladstone | 11 | |
441 | Etuale ‘Junior’ Togia | Winger | Tawa – Wellington RU | 11 | |
442 | Peato ‘Cash’ Lafaele | Fullback | Northern Utd -Wellington RU | 11 | |
443 | Ross Batty | Hooker | Gladstone | 1 | |
444 | Albertus Buckle | Prop | Carterton | 11 | |
445 | Langi Daniel Peters | Lock | Carterton | 11 | |
446 | Michael Phillip Patrick Shaw | Centre | Gladstone | 5 | |
447 | Duncan Charles Rutherford | Fullback | Gladstone | 6 | |
448 | Francis Patini ‘Junior’ Seumanutafa | Winger | Northern Utd – Wellington RU | 10 | |
449 | Brodie Wayne Duffin | No. 8 | Carterton | 10 | |
450 | Lance Douglas Stevenson | Winger | Carterton | 2 |
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