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:
1977Season |
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Although 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 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 | Match Center |
Tue 10 May | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v King Country | 13 - 09 | Match Center |
Wed 18 May | 2:30 pm | Tour | Wairarapa-Bush RU v British & Irish Lions | 13 - 41 | Match Center |
Mon 06 Jun | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Hawkes Bay | 10 - 17 | Match Center |
Sun 31 Jul | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Whanganui v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 16 - 06 | Match Center |
Wed 03 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Ngāti Porou East Coast v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 00 - 28 | Match Center |
Sat 06 Aug | 5:00 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Poverty Bay v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 20 - 11 | Match Center |
Tue 09 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Thames Valley v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 22 - 12 | Match Center |
Wed 17 Aug | 2:30 pm | Ranfurly Shield | Manawatu v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 12 - 06 | Match Center |
Sat 27 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Horowhenua | 06 - 00 | Match Center |
Tue 06 Sep | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v North Auckland | 07 - 09 | Match Center |
Sat 10 Sep | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division North Island NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Waikato | 07 - 03 | Match Center |
Wed 14 Sep | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Nelson Bays v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 14 - 23 | Match Center |
Sat 17 Sep | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Marlborough v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 20 - 10 | Match Center |
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 |