1985

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:

Back to Year by Year Index click here

1985

waibush2014

Season

1985 Status:
First Division
Founded 1886 – Affiliated 1893 – Amalgamated 1971
President:
K.Matthews
Chairman:
D.J.Galvin
Secretary:
N.F.McDonald
Selector:
P.L.Penn
Main ground:
Memorial Park , Masterton
Capacity:
20,000
Colours:
Turquoise jersey with scarlet collar bands and cuffs, red shorts, green socks with red bands

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

1985

Sun 21 Apr 2:30 pm Representative Match Wairarapa-Bush RU v Wellington XV 13 - 12
Mon 03 Jun 2:30 pm Representative Match Wairarapa-Bush RU v Horowhenua 47 - 00
Wed 03 Jul 2:30 pm Representative Match Wairarapa-Bush RU v NZ Emerging Players 11 - 20
Wed 24 Jul 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Canterbury 13 - 09
Sat 03 Aug 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Bay of Plenty v Wairarapa-Bush RU 21 - 06
Wed 07 Aug 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Counties Manukau v Wairarapa-Bush RU 04 - 10
Tue 13 Aug 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Auckland 06 - 16
Sat 17 Aug 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Southland 21 - 04
Tue 27 Aug 2:30 pm Representative Match Wairarapa-Bush RU v Hawkes Bay 53 - 06
Sat 31 Aug 2:30 pm Representative Match Whanganui v Wairarapa-Bush RU 07 - 19
Wed 04 Sep 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Waikato 15 - 16
Tue 10 Sep 2:30 pm Representative Match Nelson Bays v Wairarapa-Bush RU 00 - 57
Sat 14 Sep 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Manawatu v Wairarapa-Bush RU 45 - 10
Sat 21 Sep 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v North Auckland 12 - 10
Sat 28 Sep 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Otago v Wairarapa-Bush RU 18 - 19
Sat 05 Oct 2:30 pm 1st Division NPC Wellington v Wairarapa-Bush RU 19 - 20

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