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

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Engaging in a big programme of 16 matches, including a five-rnatch tour to the South Island, Wairarapa-Bush did not experience the success hoped for. A lively set of forwards and an enterprising back-line were eager for chances, but too often the side failed to win enough ball to play with. The defence was sound, and few of the losses were by big margins. Good combination was developed and in fact no fewer than 14 of the 29 players who represented played in at least 11 of the matches.

After Marfell was injured after one match, Couch became the full-back and proved both reliable and enterprising, and contributed 58 points with his boot as well as scoring two tries. McConnochie wing-three quarter in the early matches, later played regularly on the side of the scrum; he had previously Represented South Canterbury in 1968. Twentyman, strong-running winger from Manawatu, Pringle, a promising newcomer and Howard were all good three-quarters, with Martin a resourceful and capable centre. The 19-year old Purvis developed into a most attractive second five-eighth, constructive and clever, and a good future is predicted for him, but unfortunately for Wairarapa-Bush, his future is in the South Island. Sanson was an enterprising and reliable link, whose versatility produced five tries, three conversions, three penalty goals and two dropped goals; 41 points for his Union. Karatau, who captained the side, was an experienced and versatile halfback.

In the forward division Turley and Oliver were a fine pair of locks, with the tall newcomer, Wilton showing promise. Rowlands was a consistent hard worker and most useful forward, with a new representative, Henwood, the other regular prop. G.E.Falconer and McGlashan shared the hooker’s role. The loose forwards were Ryan, who displayed speed -and eagerness and was a fine tackler; 21-year old Eastwood and Narbey, both newcomers; with another new player, Taylor, proving a useful No. 8.

Others to represent included R.A.Falconer, Harris, Hagan and Inder who had all represented Bush Union in 1970; Parker, a Wairarapa-Bush representative the same year; and Coles, 1970 Taranaki loose forward. Only 14 of the 29 players of 1971 represented again, G.N.Gray having moved to Hawke’s Bay and Joseph J.Carroll to North Auckland.

Purvis was the only player from this Union to receive a New Zealand trial. Couch played in the Prince of Wales Cup match for Southern Maoris. Ryan was sent across to join the New Zealand Junior team in Australia when a replacement was required.

1972 MATCH RECORD
Played, 16; Won, 5; Lost, 11
Points: For, 229; Against, 278

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1972 {Total Games}

Cap#		PLAYER	POSITION	CLUB	PL
002		Graham Edmund Falconer	Hooker	Carterton	8
003		William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands	Prop	Red Star	15
004		lan Francis Turley	Loose Forward, Lock	Red Star	14
005		David Patrick Oliver	Lock	Konini	15
007		Patrick John Ryan	Loose Forward	Pahiatua	12
009		Laurence Herbert Karatau	Scrumhalf	Masterton	13
010		Roy Te Ra Riwai Couch	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	14
012		Neil Alexander Purvis	Centre, First Five	Masterton	14
013		Bruce George Martin	Centre	Masterton	14
015		Vernon Douglas Marfell	Fullback	Masterton	1
016		William John Crawley	Prop	Carterton	2
017		William Clayton Howard	Centre	Konini	8
020		Malcolm Rex Sanson	First Five, Fullback	Masterton	13
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Red Star	10
030		Anthony Barry ‘Tony’ Henwood	Prop	Masterton	11
031		Peter Graeme Coles	Flanker	Red Star	3
032		Robert William Hagan	No. 8	Pongoroa	2
033		Ian N. Perry	First Five	Red Star	3
034		Brian J. McConnochie	Flanker, Winger	Masterton	13
035		Ronald Alan Falconer	Loose Forward, Prop	Tiraumea	2
036		Douglas Patrick Harris	Scrumhalf	Konini	4
037		Brian J Wilton	Flanker, Lock	Masterton	5
038		Robert Turton ‘Bob’ Pringle	Winger	Masterton	12
039		Neville Douglas Taylor	No. 8	Featherston	11
040		Brian William Narbey	Flanker	Featherston	6
041		Roger Twentyman	Winger	Masterton	11
042		Michael David Eastwood	Flanker	Masterton Marist	7
043		Kevin Wyless Inder	Centre	Pahiatua	5
044		Ronald Charles Parker	Fullback	Carterton	1