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

With only three wins from 10 championship games, Wairarapa Bush did not have a great season but managed to hold on to First Division status comfortably enough. The team had good wins over Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay and upset Counties at the end of the season. It also set a record for the union with a 50 points win over Horowhenua. Although soundly thrashed by Auckland and Otago, Wairarapa Bush performed well against Wellington and could well have beaten North Auckland. It also put up a good showing in the Ranfurly Shield Challenge.

Injuries suffered by leading players such as Greg Karaitiana, Graeme Anderson, Chris Kapene and Nigel Sargent created difficulties for coach Lance Penn but he managed to unearth some talented young players whose form augured well for the union’s future.

Mark Benton settled down well at fullback and showed a great deal of attacking skill while the two young wings, David Rutene and Mike Foster, were full of promise. Garry Cotter and the experienced Charlie Kaka were solid in mid-field while both Greg Gray and Philip Rutene handled the first five-eighth berth capably. Bernie Lett proved a good substitute for the injured Anderson.

Although the pack lacked size it stood up well to the bigger forwards, largely through the efforts of David White and Brent Anderson, who were a competent pair of locks. Veteran prop Rex Playle, who did not play in 1983, turned out again and was good value, as was hooker Steve Thompson, for so long understudy to Gary McGlashan. Tom Hullena, Brett Harvey and Paul Hawkins, who took over the captaincy after Graeme Anderson was injured, were a useful trio in the loose.

Harvey played in the All Black trial and David Rutene won selection for New Zealand Colts. Kaka and Hawkins took part in the Prince of Wales Cup match, Kaka going on as a replacement for New Zealand Maoris against Hawkes Bay.

WAIRARAPA-BUSH MATCH RECORD 1984 MATCH RECORD
Played 14, Won 6, Lost 8
Points: For 215, Against 271

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1984 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
045		Nigel Peter Sargent	Prop	Featherston	1
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	12
106		Stephen Reihana Thompson	Flanker, Hooker	Gladstone	12
109		Paul Huatahi Hawkins	Loose Forward	Martinborough	12
117		Graeme Wighton ’Bunter’ Anderson	Scrumhalf	Eketahuna	3
123		Christopher Rangi ‘Moose’ Kapene	Lock, Prop	Martinborough	3
131		Joseph George ‘Joe’ Wyeth	Flanker	Masterton	4
142		Gregory Ian Karaitiana	Winger	Masterton	2
143		Charles Huru Aporo Kaka	Centre	Martinborough	13
144		Phillip D. Rutene	First Five, Winger	Masterton	7
145		Garry Maurice ‘Jack’ Cotter	Centre	Carterton	14
146		Stephen James Bignall	Lock	Masterton	1
147		Bernard James Lett	Scrumhalf	Carterton	11
148		Gary Ian Rolston	Lock	Eketahuna	2
150		Stephen J. Hurley	Centre, Fullback	Carterton	4
151		David Alexander White	Lock	Gladstone	14
152		Brett Andrew Harvey	Flanker	Tirumea	13
154		Thomas Henry ‘Tom’ Hullena	No. 8	Red Star	13
155		Mark Frederick Clive Benton	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	14
156		Brent Leslie ‘Buck’ Anderson	Lock	Masterton	11
158		Bryan Edward Styles	Prop	Gladstone	10
159		Gregory Ross Gray	Centre, First Five	Marist	7
161		Nigel Craw	Lock	Gladstone	1
162		Michael Thomas Foster	Winger	Featherston	12
163		David Rutene	Centre	Masterton	14
164		Bryce Digby Percy Stilborn	Flanker	Masterton	2
165		Brett Ivon Aitkenhead	Prop	Gladstone	2
166		Douglas Glen Fraser	Hooker	Masterton	2