1977

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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1977

waibush2014

Season

1977 Status:
Second Division
Founded 1886 – Affiliated 1893 – Amalgamated 1971
President:
Chairman:

Secretary:
Selector:
Mr R.T McKenzie
Main ground:
Memorial Park , Masterton
Capacity:
7,000
Colours:
Green and Red

_awbAlthough on the final count Wairarapa-Bush won only five of its 14 fixtures, there were occasions when the side appeared capable of much better results. A spirited opposition to British lsies particularly by the forwards was repeated in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Manawatu when a sustained effort by the forwards caused the Shield-holders many anxious moments. Again later in the season, North Auckland were held to a narrow victory and Waikato were beaten. Had the forwards particularly been able to maintain this standard of play throughout the season. several more games would had been won.

The selector had all the previous season’s leading forwards again available, and with the four 6 ft 4 ins men, Turley, Grant, Guscott and Clarke on hand had the nucleus of a strong pack and with Turley particularly excelling in the line-out-he played mostly from the side of the scrum with the others locking the scrum. The strong front row of Rowlands, the captain, and Sargent as props and McGlashan as hooker held its own with most opponents. Taylor was the No.8 in the earlier games but then Tuckerman, who had last represented in 1970 and then at five-eighths took over, and with his speed and anticipation was a constant threat to opposing inside backs and had an outstanding season. Mahoney was a solid flanker with Darlington a useful player Fauval and Lee were the only newcomers in the forward division, Cole having represented in 1975.

The backs were strengthened by the arrival from Taranaki of Snook, whose tactical kicking was most useful at first five-eighths. Robertson was a reliable half-back, and Blake also a good-handling first five-eighths. Huriwai was a lively and useful inside back and Patrick had another good season, playing this year mainly at centre. The introduction of several young newcomers created interest, and the 22-year old England and Paton were impressive wingers in the match against the “Lions”. Later 20 year-old Johnston and I9 year-old Spowart were the wingers and both were pacy and promising players. Cotter, an 18 year old was a versatile back, best placed at second five-eighths. The full-back Kjestrup had a very good season and is an all-round custodian of quality only 22 years old. His boot contributed 57 points towards the team’s total.

Thirty players were called on, of whom seven were in their initial season.
Blake had last represented in 1975.

No players from this Union were selected for National teams.

1977_lions1977 Match Record: Played 14 : Won 5 ; Lost 9
Points : For 159 ; Against 199

1977

Wed 04 May 2:30 pm Representative Match Wairarapa-Bush RU v Wellington 07 - 16
Tue 10 May 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v King Country 13 - 09
Wed 18 May 2:30 pm Tour Wairarapa-Bush RU v British & Irish Lions 13 - 41
Mon 06 Jun 2:30 pm Representative Match Wairarapa-Bush RU v Hawkes Bay 10 - 17
Sun 31 Jul 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Whanganui v Wairarapa-Bush RU 16 - 06
Wed 03 Aug 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Ngāti Porou East Coast v Wairarapa-Bush RU 00 - 28
Sat 06 Aug 5:00 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Poverty Bay v Wairarapa-Bush RU 20 - 11
Tue 09 Aug 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Thames Valley v Wairarapa-Bush RU 22 - 12
Wed 17 Aug 2:30 pm Ranfurly Shield Manawatu v Wairarapa-Bush RU 12 - 06
Sat 27 Aug 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Horowhenua 06 - 00
Tue 06 Sep 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v North Auckland 07 - 09
Sat 10 Sep 2:30 pm 2nd Division North Island NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Waikato 07 - 03
Wed 14 Sep 2:30 pm Representative Match Nelson Bays v Wairarapa-Bush RU 14 - 23
Sat 17 Sep 2:30 pm Representative Match Marlborough v Wairarapa-Bush RU 20 - 10

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1977 {Total Games}

CAP# PLAYER POSITION CLUB PL
003 William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands Prop Red Star 14
004 lan Francis Turley Loose Forward, Lock Red Star 13
022 Gary Keith McGlashan Hooker Red Star 14
034 Brian J. McConnochie Flanker, Winger Masterton 1
039 Neville Douglas Taylor No. 8 Featherston 5
045 Nigel Peter Sargent Prop Featherston 14
047 Richard Ewing ‘Ritchie’ Robertson Scrumhalf, Winger Greytown 11
049 Ian Barry Blake First Five Carterton 5
060 Brian William James Clarke Lock Red Star 10
063 Bruce Bernard Patrick Centre Gladstone 12
064 Neil Francis Kjestrup First Five, Fullback Gladstone 12
066 John William Cole Flanker Greytown 1
069 Bruce H. Herangi Scrumhalf Masterton 2
074 Philip John Guscott Lock Masterton 11
079 Kevin Wayne Carter First Five Pahiatua 1
081 Alistar John O’Neill First Five Red Star 3
083 Peter C. Mahoney Flanker Pahiatua 11
086 Ernest John Darlington Flanker Red Star 9
088 Hona T. Huriwai Utility Back Red Star 12
093 Warren Scott Grant Lock East Coast 5
096 Devon N. Lee Forward Featherston 1
097 Clive Murdock Paton Winger Tuhirangi 3
098 Ian Robert Snook First Five Pioneer 9
099 Kerry Bruce England Winger Red Star 2
100 James Alfred ‘Jimmy’ Cotter Centre Carterton 8
101 Peter L. Johnston Winger Greytown 9
102 John David Tuckerman First Five, No. 8 Red Star 7
103 Dallas Archer Spowart Winger Red Star 7
104 Ralph R. Fauval Prop Red Star 2
105 Tony Brown Fullback Pahiatua 1