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:
The 1993 season was another poor one for Wairarapa Bush. The team did not win any games the only joy coming from draws against Otago XV, Poverty Bay and Manawatu. Second division status for 1994 was maintained but only just, by drawing the desperate last game of the season with neighbour Manawatu. Heavy defeats were inflicted by first-division Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty, Nelson Bays and‘ Counties in the championship round.
Having lost a number of the previous year’s players through retirement, unavailability and changing unions, this team was largely comprised of young players new to representative rugby. The move to Wellington by star back Marty Berry was of particular significance — the backline needed someone of his experience to function properly.
There were some promising individuals, however Robert Rutene was a solid, dependable fullback. James Shirkey was again an exciting wing when given the chance. Midfield back Quentin O’Neale was a fine defender. Paul Roache showed good promise and improved as the season progressed. Halfback was shared between Mark Percy and Neil Foote who both had their moments. These players also appeared in other positions.
The forwards, although lacking height, functioned well. Captain Daren Guildford performed well when not hampered by injuries. Bruce Bowie was again a fine servant on the flank. Fellow loose forward Dean Bassett improved on last year’s promise and was Wairarapa Bush’s best forward. At lock Vernon Boyce was a hard worker who had a fine season and he was ably supported by Englishman Martin Rackham. Gavin Cayless at hooker played well and was never far from the ball. Anthony Holtham, Shane Coley and Merv Mason scrummaged well when called upon at prop.
Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Divisional XV: M.J.Berry (before transferring to Wellington).
1993 Match Record: Played 13 ; Drew 3 ; Lost 10
Points : For 176 ; Against 478
1993
Tue 04 May | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Hawkes Bay v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 83 - 03 | Match Center |
Wed 19 May | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Horowhenua | 13 - 21 | Match Center |
Tue 15 Jun | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Otago XV | 22 - 22 | Match Center |
Thu 24 Jun | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Whanganui v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 29 - 20 | Match Center |
Sat 14 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Bay of Plenty v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 72 - 03 | Match Center |
Tue 17 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Poverty Bay v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 17 - 17 | Match Center |
Sat 21 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Nelson Bays v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 48 - 09 | Match Center |
Sat 28 Aug | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Southland | 08 - 16 | Match Center |
Sat 04 Sep | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v Counties Manukau | 11 - 64 | Match Center |
Wed 08 Sep | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v South Canterbury | 05 - 22 | Match Center |
Sat 11 Sep | 2:30 pm | Representative Match | Wairarapa-Bush RU v NZ Combined Services | 13 - 23 | Match Center |
Sat 18 Sep | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Wairarapa-Bush RU v North Auckland | 30 - 39 | Match Center |
Sat 25 Sep | 2:30 pm | 2nd Division NPC | Manawatu v Wairarapa-Bush RU | 22 - 22 | Match Center |
Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1993 {Total Games}
#CAP | NAME | POSITION | CLUB | PL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
160 | ![]() |
Michael Craig O’Connor | Winger | Carterton | 2 |
196 | ![]() |
Lance D. Christiansen | Loose Forward, No. 8 | Red Star | 1 |
201 | ![]() |
Bruce Donald Bowie | Flanker | Puketoi | 10 |
203 | ![]() |
Neville Graham | Hooker | Pioneer | 2 |
205 | ![]() |
Robert Ihaka Rutene | Centre, Fullback | Carterton | 11 |
207 | ![]() |
Anton Mathew Kainuku | Prop | Pioneer | 3 |
211 | ![]() |
Ben K. Fox | First Five, Fullback | Pioneer | 2 |
213 | ![]() |
Vernon Mark Boyce | Lock | Martinborough | 12 |
215 | ![]() |
James Huatahi Shirkey | Winger | Martinborough | 12 |
219 | ![]() |
Quentin Geoffrey O’Neale | Centre, Fullback | Masterton | 13 |
222 | ![]() |
Gavin Martin Cayless | Hooker | Marist | 10 |
224 | ![]() |
Mark Brendon Percy | Scrumhalf | East Coast | 9 |
226 | ![]() |
Daren Whana Conway Guildford | No. 8 | Greytown | 9 |
227 | ![]() |
Dean Alan Bassett | Flanker, Lock | Puketoi | 11 |
229 | ![]() |
Neil Michael William Foote | First Five, Scrumhalf | Greytown | 8 |
230 | ![]() |
Jason Edward Turupa Reedy | Centre, Fullback | Martinborough | 8 |
231 | ![]() |
John Daniel Sutherland | Flanker | Marist | 6 |
232 | ![]() |
Shane Clifton Coley | Prop | Masterton | 8 |
233 | ![]() |
Richard Eion Clatworthy | Lock | Marist | 3 |
234 | ![]() |
Michael R. Cross | Flanker | Greytown | 1 |
235 | ![]() |
Paul Anthony Roache | First Five | Eketahuna | 10 |
236 | ![]() |
Geoffrey Neil Gardner | Centre | Featherston | 7 |
237 | ![]() |
Nigel John McLeod | Centre | Martinborough | 1 |
238 | ![]() |
Aaron Dean Kahu Awa | Winger | Pioneer | 11 |
239 | ![]() |
Anthony John Holtham | Hooker | Marist | 10 |
240 | ![]() |
Martin Rackham | Lock | Carterton | 10 |
241 | ![]() |
Guy C. Williams | Flanker | Martinborough | 7 |
242 | ![]() |
Dean Andrew Spicer | Winger | Greytown | 1 |
243 | ![]() |
Paul Graeme Rogers | Hooker, Prop | Greytown | 3 |
244 | ![]() |
Mervyn M. Mason | Prop | Pioneer | 6 |
245 | ![]() |
William Hamilton Keane Poharama | Winger | Carterton | 5 |
246 | ![]() |
Nicholas James Mita | First Five | Pioneer | 2 |
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