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 a disappointing season, finishing bottom of the first division and being relegated for 1988. A number of records were set in the first match of the season, against Horowhenua, and the side looked good when it beat North Auckland and drew with Waikato.

However, crushing defeats were inflicted by Auckland and Otago although Wairarapa Bush welt not disgraced in either the Canterbury or Wellington games.

A serious blow was the loss through injury early in the season of the two best backs, Marty Berry and Charlie Kaka. As a result, Stewart Cruden played second five-eighth while Ivan Karaitiana was also moved to midfield. These two did their best but naturally lacked the ability of the men they had replaced and the backline suffered accordingly.

Mark Benton played steadily at fullback and again scored over 100 points for the season, Veteran wing Greg Karaitiana is still an elusive runner and his tries in the Wellington match were exciting ones. Philip Rutene and Bernie Lett combined well and both gave good service.

The Wairarapa Bush pack was a very strong one, especially in scrummaging and mauling. Apart from Auckland, it was not really mastered by the opposition all Season. Brent Anderson and Craig Sims were two strong locks who won more than their share in the lineouts and worked solidly in the tight. Anderson’s selection for the All Blacks were well deserved.

Robbie McLean, Motu Tua and Brian Styles formed a tough front row. McLean’s selection for the tour to Japan came as a major surprise, however, especially as he was in his first year of first-class rugby. Captain Brett Harvey, Tom Hullena and Peter Sargent were an effective loose trio who were always close to the ball.

Wairarapa Bush players who appeared above provincial level in 1987 were :
New Zealand: Anderson, McLean.
New Zenland Trials: Berry, Anderson, Harvey.
Central Zone: Anderson, Harvey.
New Zealand Colts: Sims.

1987 Match Record: Played 14 ; Won 5 ; Drew 1 ; Lost 8
Points : For 290 ; Against 307

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1987 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
142		Gregory Ian Karaitiana	Winger	Masterton	10
143		Charles Huru Aporo Kaka	Centre	Martinborough	1
144		Phillip D. Rutene	First Five, Winger	Masterton	14
145		Garry Maurice ‘Jack’ Cotter	Centre	Carterton	2
147		Bernard James Lett	Scrumhalf	Carterton	13
148		Gary Ian Rolston	Lock	Masterton	3
152		Brett Andrew Harvey	Flanker	Featherston	14
154		Thomas Henry ‘Tom’ Hullena	No. 8	Red Star	12
155		Mark Frederick Clive Benton	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	14
156		Brent Leslie ‘Buck’ Anderson	Lock	Masterton	14
158		Bryan Edward Styles	Prop	Carterton	14
162		Michael Thomas Foster	Winger	Featherston	14
168		Martin Joseph ’Marty’ Berry	Centre, Fullback	Greytown	2
170		Stewart Neil Cruden	Centre, Loose Forward, Lock	Masterton	10
173		Matthew Harvey O’Rourke	Centre, Winger	Masterton	6
174		Christopher Francis William Berry	Prop	Greytown	1
176		Motu Tua	Hooker	Tararua	13
177		Peter William Sargent	Flanker	Featherston	14
179		Ilisone S. Rarasea	Winger	Carterton	3
181		lvan Tony Karaitiana	Centre, Scrumhalf	Masterton	12
183		Robert John ‘Robbie’ McLean	Prop	Woodville	14
184		Craig Lionel Sims	Lock	Masterton	10
185		Donald Shade Munro	Lock	Greytown	2
186		Stephen Rewi Haira	Centre	Masterton	2
187		Christopher John Lett	Hooker	Carterton	2
188		Gary Rutene	Centre, Winger	Masterton	4

		PL
	Penalty Try	1