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

Wairarapa Bush had its best season since entering the First Division, with 11 wins from 16 games and fourth place in the championship. This was a marked improvement on the, 1984 results and the indications are that Wairarapa Bush will be very difficult to beat in 1986.

Losses from the 1984 season were David White, Steve Thompson and Philip Rutene but Wairarapa Bush gained the services of Fijian centre Peni Rauleni, and the former Taranaki five-eighth Stuart Cruden played towards the end of the season.

The highlights of the season were wins over Canterbury and Wellington, and a sterling effort against Auckland; but there were some low points, notably the losses to Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Manawatu.

Mark Benton was one of the best of the backs. playing well both at fullback and first five-eighth. He had a fine season with the boot. scoring over 100 points. Greg Karaitiana and Mike Foster, who occupied the wing positions in every game, went on scoring sprees with Kariatiana setting try scoring records for the union. The midfield players Rauleni, Charlie Kaka and young Martin Berry all reached a high standard while Kevin Carter put over seven dropped goals and played steadily at first five-eighth. Bernie Lett was sound at halfback but gave way to former captain George Anderson in the later games.

The pack was a very competent one that held its own against the more fancied unions. Loose forwards Paul Hawkins. who captained the side. Brett Harvey. Joe Wyeth and Carlos Baker were dynamic around the field and there was some hard grafting in the tight from Brent Anderson. Brian Higginson, Gary Patrick and Chris Kapene. Brent Aitkenhead. who played two games in 1984. and was much improved as was hooker Glen Fraser.

Harvey played for Emerging Players and Foster and Berry represented New Zealand Colts.

WAIRARAPA-BUSH MATCH RECORD 1985 MATCH RECORD
Played 16, Won 11, Lost 5
Points: For 332, Against 207

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1985 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	3
079		Kevin Wayne Carter	First Five	Woodville	10
109		Paul Huatahi Hawkins	Loose Forward	Martinborough	14
117		Graeme Wighton ’Bunter’ Anderson	Scrumhalf	Eketahuna	5
119		Bryan Lex Higginson	Lock, Prop	Carterton	13
123		Christopher Rangi ‘Moose’ Kapene	Lock, Prop	Martinborough	14
131		Joseph George ‘Joe’ Wyeth	Flanker	Masterton	10
137		Gary William Patrick	Lock	Gladstone	7
138		Carl Duan ’Carlos’ Baker	No. 8	Martinborough	10
142		Gregory Ian Karaitiana	Winger	Masterton	16
143		Charles Huru Aporo Kaka	Centre	Martinborough	8
147		Bernard James Lett	Scrumhalf	Carterton	11
152		Brett Andrew Harvey	Flanker	Tirumea	15
155		Mark Frederick Clive Benton	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	16
156		Brent Leslie ‘Buck’ Anderson	Lock	Masterton	14
158		Bryan Edward Styles	Prop	Gladstone	1
159		Gregory Ross Gray	Centre, First Five	Marist	4
162		Michael Thomas Foster	Winger	Featherston	16
163		David Rutene	Centre	Masterton	2
165		Brett Ivon Aitkenhead	Prop	Carterton	14
166		Douglas Glen Fraser	Hooker	Masterton	13
167		Peni R. Rauluni	Centre	Red Star	8
168		Martin Joseph ’Marty’ Berry	Centre, Fullback	Greytown	13
169		Vincent Joseph Burgess	Hooker	Carterton	3
170		Stewart Neil Cruden	Centre, Loose Forward, Lock	Masterton	3
171		Arthur John Morris	Fullback	Greytown	4