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

The change of Selector failed to improve on the poor record of the previous season, although Mr. McKenzie cast his net wide in the search for players worthy of representation. The backs were kept well together and were generally well experienced, but could not match such sides as Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay. The forwards looked promising in the earlier games but their form faded, and this too handicapped the backs.

Rowlands captained the side and was a consistently solid prop and general forward; he reached his century of first-class matches during the season, and was captain of the Southern XV. in the Prince of Wales Cup match and represented New Zealand Maoris – a just reward. Sargent, who had last represented in 1973, a vigorous player for his size; he is a New Zealand wrestling representative, and Peachey were the other props. Peachey, 41 years old, had last represented Wairarapa in 1966, and was still playing good club Rugby. Turley, who was handicapped through a farm accident, locked the scrum with Guscott, a good line-out forward but who was injured in the Waikato match, when the 6′ 4”, 23 year-old new representative Grant was called on and impressed as a promising forward.

The flank forwards called on included the 6′ 3”, 22 year-old Mahoney (son of ex-All Black, Athol Mahoney), who showed promise; McConnochie, a reliable player; Darlington, another newcomer; and Cochrane, a tall vigorous new representative. Clarke who had last represented in 1974, filled in at lock. Taylor, who had last appeared in 1973, was the only forward to play in all 14 matches –  a solid No.8 who covered well and stood out in the line-out where his height 6ft. 3in. was useful; he captained the side when Rowlands was absent. The hooker, McGlashan had a splendid season, raking well and his general play being excellent. He played in all 14 matches as well, but an injury forced him to retire in the final game.

Neil Kjestrup, the 21 year-old full-back, had a very good season – a courageous fielder of the high ball, a good touch-finder and eager to join the backline. He contributed 57 points from his boot. Couch played only once, having elected to join the Senior B Tuhirangi Club for whom he played mostly at second five-eighth,

Barnes, who had last appeared in 1971, was a strong runner and good tackler but had handling lapses; he scored two excellent blindside tries against Horowhenua. With B. G. Martin not available it was hoped Patrick could play at centre, but the arrival of the brilliant little Poverty Bay centre, Huriwai, meant that Patrick again played on the wing where he was a sound performer. Huriwai was a clever attacker and strong tackler. Garter, still only 19 years old, showed improved form in his second season, and more could be seen of him. His two tries against Waikato brought a surprise victory.

After Hugh Kjestrup, elder brother of the full-back, had failed to impress, O’Neill became the regular first five-eighth and had some good games, but on occasions overdid the kicking instead of spinning the ball. Robertson played well behind the scrum but moved to wing where his speed was given scope, when Herangi, a lively young player who had played once in 1974, was brought in. McGilvray, an 18 year-old newcomer, is a promising player.

No players from this Union received National recognition.

1976 Match Record: Played 14 : Won 4 ; Lost 10

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1976 {Total Games}

Cap#		PLAYER	POSITION	CLUB	PL
003		William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands	Prop	Red Star	12
004		lan Francis Turley	Loose Forward, Lock	Red Star	12
010		Roy Te Ra Riwai Couch	First Five, Fullback	Tuhirangi	1
014		Michael Barnes	Centre	Woodville	9
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Red Star	14
034		Brian J. McConnochie	Flanker, Winger	Masterton	6
039		Neville Douglas Taylor	No. 8	Featherston	14
045		Nigel Peter Sargent	Prop	Featherston	9
047		Richard Ewing ‘Ritchie’ Robertson	Scrumhalf, Winger	Greytown	10
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	1
060		Brian William James Clarke	Lock	Red Star	8
063		Bruce Bernard Patrick	Centre	Gladstone	12
064		Neil Francis Kjestrup	First Five, Fullback	Gladstone	13
069		Bruce H. Herangi	Scrumhalf	Pioneer	10
074		Philip John Guscott	Lock	Masterton	6
079		Kevin Wayne Carter	First Five	Pahiatua	13
081		Alistar John O’Neill	First Five	Red Star	11
082		Bruce Douglas McKenzie	Flanker	Tiraumea	1
083		Peter C. Mahoney	Flanker	Pahiatua	10
084		Hugh Gordon Kjestrup	First Five	Gladstone	3
085		Ewan A. Mason	Winger	Tuhirangi	2
086		Ernest John Darlington	Flanker	Red Star	5
087		Rowan Bruce McGilvray	Winger	Carterton	1
088		Hona T. Huriwai	Utility Back	Red Star	11
089		Lynn David Evans	Fullback	Greytown	4
090		Simon L. Cadwallader	—	East Coast	1
091		Daniel Meredith Matthews	—	Greytown	1
092		James Tiwai Karaitiana	Lock	Martinborough	1
093		Warren Scott Grant	Lock	East Coast	10
094		Michael Henry ‘Mick’ Peachey	Flanker, Prop	Pioneer	5
095		Steven Ross Cochrane	Flanker	Carterton	3