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

Without doubt, one of the success stories of the 1981 season was the performance of Wairarapa-Bush in winning the North lsland Second Division championship and in the two play-offs gaining promotion to the First Division for next season. From third place the previous year, Wairarapa-Bush made certain of the title this year with an unbeaten record of seven victories. The losses were to Wellington, Scotland and Manawatu.

The selector, Brian Lochore had all the leading players of the previous season still available, and indeed only six of the 25 players called on were new to representative Rugby, and these included such successful performances as 22 year old Greg Karaitiana, speedy and tricky winger of considerable promise, and scorer of seven tries; 21 year old Charlie Kaka, starting as a flank forward, and moved to second five-eighth with considerable success, a strong runner and solid tackler; the 18 year old Phillip Rutene and 20 year old Bernard Lett, both showing distinct promise for the future.

The emphasis was on attacking Rugby with 39 tries scored in the 14 matches. Full-back, Neil Kjestrup enjoyed a very good season both as defender and as an attacking player. Relieved of goal-kicking responsibilities he was able to devote his full attention to his play. Jim Cotter, who had last represented in 1978, was a strong-running and aggressive defender at centre. Mike Cornford had another good season, and the Bracewell brothers were excellent links in the back-line. Graeme Anderson was lively and quick behind the scrum.

The loose forwards played an outstanding part in Wairarapa-Bush’s plan, especially the 21 year old Carl Baker, a brilliant tackler and well equipped No. 8, and New Zealand Maori honours, at least, should not be far away. On the flanks, 20 year old Merv Dudley and Joe Wyeth were most effective. Mike McCool remains a solid worker, and with him at lock was the 20 year old Earl, who had developed into a good line-out and scrummaging forward.

Gary McGlashan again led the side and was a successful hooker, supported in the front-row by the powerful and eager Chris Kapene, only 24 years of age, a strong driving forward and solid worker and in the later matches by the veteran Bill Rowlands, whose last appearance had been in 1978.

The pack was held together almost throughout the season in that in eight of the last nine matches the same eight players took the field. The backline also were the same in the final five matches. No players from this Union were called to the National Trials nor received higher honours. 19 year old Philip Rutene played for New Zealand Colts.

1981 Match Record: Played 14, Won 11, Lost 3
Points: For 238; Against 158

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1981 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
003		William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands	Prop	Red Star	11
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Red Star	13
045		Nigel Peter Sargent	Prop	Featherston	3
064		Neil Francis Kjestrup	First Five, Fullback	Gladstone	14
067		Michael Edward Cornford	Winger	Masterton	12
079		Kevin Wayne Carter	First Five	Woodville	2
100		James Alfred ‘Jimmy’ Cotter	Centre	Carterton	10
106		Stephen Reihana Thompson	Flanker, Hooker	Gladstone	1
116		Michael John McCool	Lock	Pongaroa	13
117		Graeme Wighton ’Bunter’ Anderson	Scrumhalf	Eketahuna	13
121		Andrew Thomas ‘Andy’ Earl	Loose Forward, Lock, No. 8	Tuhurangi	13
123		Christopher Rangi ‘Moose’ Kapene	Lock, Prop	Martinborough	14
131		Joseph George ‘Joe’ Wyeth	Flanker	Masterton	13
132		Mervyn James Dudley	Loose Forward	Masterton	14
134		Mark Andrew Bracewell	First Five	Pioneer	6
135		Douglas William ’Doug’ Bracewell	Centre	Pioneer	14
137		Gary William Patrick	Lock	Gladstone	2
138		Carl Duan ’Carlos’ Baker	No. 8	Martinborough	14
139		Anthony Bernard ’Tony’ McKenna	Winger	Eketahuna	3
142		Gregory Ian Karaitiana	Winger	Masterton	11
143		Charles Huru Aporo Kaka	Centre	Martinborough	12
144		Phillip D. Rutene	First Five, Winger	Masterton	3
145		Garry Maurice ‘Jack’ Cotter	Centre	Carterton	3
146		Stephen James Bignall	Lock	Masterton	2
147		Bernard James Lett	Scrumhalf	Carterton	1

SIR JAMES DOUGLAS HUTCHISON who died at Wellington on July 20, 1981 aged 86, represented New Zealand Universities against Sydney University in 1920 as a hooker in the old 2-3-2 scrum, and as a member of Victoria University club played for Wellington against Hawke’s Bay (a try) and Wairarapa. With Carterton club he represented Wairarapa in four matches in 1922 and in five the following season, including the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay when his hooking partner was All Black, Quentin Donald.

Sir James Hutchison was born in Dunedin on September 29, 1894.