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

Successful in only one of its 11 matches this season, Wairarapa-Bush had another disappointing season, especially after drawing with the full Wellington side and narrowly losing to Hawke’s Bay in its first two fixtures. A lack of experience in vital areas was noticeable with Ian Turley and Bill Rowlands in the forwards finally retired and Ian Snook and J.A.Cotter in the backs left the area, the former back to Taranaki and the latter to Wellington.

Altogether 32 players were called on, of whom 12 were in their initial season. The outstanding player was the captain Gary McGlashan who was a consistently hard worker and an inspiration to the side. He was well-supported in the front row by Hansen, and 1977 representative, Sargent. McCool, from Hawke’s Bay was an acquisition, but after playing a dominant role in the earlier games he faded later. Actually, newcomer Chris Kapene displayed considerable promise either as lock or prop. John Darlington was the best loose forward but Wairarapa-Bush were lacking in this sphere. Kevin Carter enjoyed another good season, and Kjestrup was sound at full-back and served the Union well.

An interesting selection was that of the Wanganui “veteran” Bob Barrell, as full-back in the last three games. Gilmour had represented North Otago in 1977 and Bruce Cochrane was the 1976 Canterbury representative and New Zealand Junior in 1972. Injuries curtailed the availability of Paul Hawkins and Mike Comford. Andy Earl is a promising 17-year-old.

Only 10 of the previous season’s 29 players appeared again, with Johnston, Herangi, Carter, Darlington and Sargent having last represented in 1977, McGilvray in 1976 and Craig and Dewar in 1975. Paul Hawkins was a member of the New Zealand Colts side, whilst McCool participated in the National trials and was selected a member of the New Zealand side to Australia.

Concern has been expressed at the Senior Championship format, with the only senior side from the former Bush Union, suffering relegation to the “B” grade.

1979 NPC Match Record: Played 11 : Won 1; Drawn 1 ; Lost 9
Points : For 69; Against 174

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1981 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Red Star	13
045		Nigel Peter Sargent	Prop	Featherston	13
064		Neil Francis Kjestrup	First Five, Fullback	Gladstone	13
067		Michael Edward Cornford	Winger	Eketahuna	9
068		Alan Henry Dewar	First Five	Pahiatua	7
069		Bruce H. Herangi	Scrumhalf	Masterton	7
078		Anthony Ian ’Tony’ Craig	Centre	Masterton	10
079		Kevin Wayne Carter	First Five	Woodville	11
086		Ernest John Darlington	Flanker	Red Star	13
087		Rowan Bruce McGilvray	Winger	Carterton	9
088		Hona T. Huriwai	Utility Back	Red Star	6
101		Peter L. Johnston	Winger	Greytown	2
106		Stephen Reihana Thompson	Flanker, Hooker	Gladstone	1
107		Ross Melville Cooper	Loose Forward	Tuhirangi	13
109		Paul Huatahi Hawkins	Loose Forward	Martinborough	7
110		Alan C. Schofield	Lock, Prop	East Coast	1
112		Henry Fitzgerald Reedy	Centre	Pioneer	1
115		Quinton Wayne Hansen	Prop	Tuhirangi	9
116		Michael John McCool	—	Pongaroa United	11
117		Graeme.W.’Bunter’ Anderson	Scrumhalf	Eketahuna	8
118		James Wills ‘Jamie’ Gilmour	Centre	Tuhirangi	2
119		Bryan Lex Higginson	Lock, Prop	Martinborough	2
120		John.G.August	First Five	Woodville	2
121		Andrew Thomas ‘Andy’ Earl	Loose Forward, Lock, No. 8	Tuhirangi	6
122		Bruce Campbell Cochrane	Winger	Masterton	4
123		Christopher Rangi ‘Moose’ Kapene	Lock, Prop	Martinborough	10
124		John R. Pereira	Loose Forward, No. 8	Masterton	10
125		Kevin McCaffery	Winger	Gladstone	5
126		Geoff .C Price	Flanker	Red Star	3
127		Alan C. Cole	Lock	Featherston	6
128		Robert Bruce ’Bob’ Barrell	Centre, Fullback	Masterton	3
129		Richard Walter Hepburn	Centre	Marist	3
130		E.C. Walker	Fullback	Masterton	3

WAIRARAPA-BUSH IN AUSTRALIA 1979

At the conclusion of the season the team played three matches in Australia.

Played 3 ; Won 1 , Drew 1 , Lost 1

Pts For 27 , Pts Against 38

1. September 22 v. Warringha Sub-Union.
Lost 12-32

2. September 26 v. New South Wales Combined Services
Drawn 6 to 6
C.C.Kapene try ; N.F.Kjestrup conversion.

3. September 29 v. Hunter Hills
Won 9 to 0

Players appeared in these games as follows:
E. C. Walker (Masterton) full-back (1,2,3) ; M.E. Cornford wing three-quarter (1,2,3)
R. B. McGilvray wing three-quarter (1,2,3); T. R. Craig five-eighths (1,2*,3)
N. F. Kjestrup centre-three-quarter, (1,2,3); R. W. Hepburn five-eighths (1,2)
G. Anderson five-eighths (3); H. T.Huriwai five-eighths (1*,2,3)
B. H. Herangi half-back (1,2,3) ; C. C. Kapene (1,2,3); E. J. Darlington (1,2,3)
R. M. Cooper (1,2,3) N. F. Sargent (1,2,3)7 1,Periera (1,2,3)’ P. Hawkins (1)
G. K. McGlashan (1,3) ; A. C. Cole (1,2,3)’G‘Price (1“,2*); A. E. Earl (2,3); Q. Hansen (2,3*)