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 made the Meads Cup playoffs finishing the round robin on the same number of points as Horowhenua Kapiti but going through having earlier won their individual encounter. The semi-final was a 21-25 loss to South Canterbury in a match that could have gone either way, the match ending with Wairarapa Bush turning over the ball just short of the South Canterbury line.

The strength of the team was the forward pack with a very good scrum and lineout and mobile in general play. If loan players were eligible for New Zealand Heartland selection, standout hooker Andrew Makalio would have been a certainty. He was a powerful runner with ball in hand and top try scorer. Two who did make the New Zealand Heartland team were Kurt Simmonds and James Goodger. Tighthead prop Simmonds was a strong scrummager and defender at the rucks and mauls, while Goodger, whether at lock or flanker, was a regular winner of lineout ball and prominent in the loose. Lachlan McFadzean had a good season at lock, firstly with James Goodger then with ex Wellington rep James Wall. The best local debutant was flanker Chris Raymond who was busy and effective in the loose. Loosehead prop Matthew Kawana also made a promising debut playing every championship game.

At halfback Cody Whittaker had a snappy pass and could make a break. Outside him Tim Priest arrived from West Coast and was a steady general and accurate goalkicker. His sideline conversion with the last kick of the game won the Buller match. He made the New Zealand Heartland team.The backline was strong defensively but there was a lack of attacking threat from set piece. Nick Olson and Paul Tikomainavalu made the most of the chances they had in the back three.

An upgrade of Memorial Park during the year included the laying of artificial grass, making a unique experience in New Zealand first-class rugby. During the course of the year 36 players donned the jersey, 19 for the first time. Local players missing from last year were Nathan Hunt (Otago), Byron Karaitiana, Andrew McLean, Richard Puddy (all injured), Sam Monaghan (overseas), Tom Fleming (Wellington), and Heinrich Terblanche (returned to South Africa). Hamish Forrester had previously played for Poverty Bay and loan player So’otala Fa’aso’o had played for Auckland in 2013.

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: J.W.P.R. Goodger, T.C.Priest, K.M.Simmonds

2015 Heartland Match Record: Played 11 ; Won 5 ; Lost 6

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2015 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	SEASON	PL
471		Kurt Michael Simmonds	Prop	Greytown	9
477		Nicholas Keith Olson	Fullback, Winger	Greytown	10
481		Andrew Robert McLean	Lock	Gladstone	1
486		Byron Tony Ivan Karaitiana	First Five, Fullback	Greytown	1
503		John Alexander Alistair ‘Johnnie’ McFadzean	Loose Forward	Carterton	10
515		lnia S.T. Katia	Fullback, Scrumhalf, Winger	Gladstone	9
516		Tipene T. Haira	Centre, First Five	Martinborough	9
518		James W.P.R. Goodger	Flanker, Loose Forward	Marist	11
522		Lachie J.M. McFadzean	Lock	Carterton	10
524		Cameron McKellar Hayton	Winger	Gladstone	10
531		Lance Graves	Hooker, Prop	Gladstone	1
536		Wiremu Grace	Lock	East Coast	2
537		Joseph Shaun Mark Sio	Scrumhalf	Marist	1
538		Paulo Rokolili Tikomainavalu	Centre, Winger	Eketahuna	11
542		Jacko Hull	Prop	Carterton	9
544		Rimataeri ‘Rima’ Marurai	Flanker	Pioneer	6
554		Cody K. Whittaker	Scrumhalf	Pioneer	11
556		Hamish Forrester	Hooker, Prop	Carterton	4
557		Rei Manaia	Prop	Hutt OB Marist	1
558		Brock O.J. Price	Loose Forward	Carterton	3
559		Timothy Craig ‘Tim’ Priest	First Five, Fullback	Martinborough	11
560		Matthew Dalley	Centre	Fielding	5
561		Ryan M. Saunders	Winger	Wellington	1
562		Cory A. McFadzean	Fullback	Carterton	5
563		Kody P. Thompson	Hooker	Martinborough	10
564		Gareth van Dalen	Loose Forward	Greytown	1
565		Liam M.D. Devine	Loose Forward	Marist	1
566		Andrew Makalio	Hooker	Grammar TEC	10
567		Brendon J.W. ‘BJ’ Campbell	Flanker, No. 8	Eketahuna	9
568		Chris Raymond	Loose Forward	Martinborough	8
569		So’otala D.D. Fa’aso’o	Loose Forward	Grammar TEC	9
570		Andrew R. Humberstone	Centre	Carterton	10
571		Viliami Hala	Centre, Fullback	Grammar TEC	10
572		Nick Robertson	Centre	Greytown	1
573		Matthew H. ‘Matt’ Kawana	Prop	Pioneer	9
574		James M. Wall	Lock	Martinborough	7