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

As has been the case for a number of years Wairarapa Bush had another poor season, with only two wins from the 13 matches.

Relegation stared Wairarapa Bush in the face throughout the season, but a good win over Horowhenua in the last match ended the season on a high note and enabled Wairarapa Bush to again escape third division. The team’s other win was a fine performance over the New Zealand Universities early in the season.

Many crushing defeats were inflicted in 1994, with 84 points conceded against Hawke’s Bay, a record. Opponents averaged 46 points a game against Wairarapa Bush’s 14.

For the 13 engagements a record 38 players were called upon.

Wairarapa Bush were often outclassed by their opponents, as the results indicate, with the team frequently lacking confidence both on attack and defence. On attack the team lacked a game-breaker in the midfield, although a number of individuals impressed nonetheless.

Wing Dean Spicer was an enterprising, aggressive performer. Versatile Neil Foote again gave good service in the backs. First five-eighth Mark Childs showed promise late in the season, his first All this level. Halfback Craig Pepperell was the standout back on display though, often breaking through defences, and was a handful for opponents.

In the forwards, blindside flanker Dean Bassett again performed to a high standard, both in the lineout and in general play. Captain John Cummings, a former Wellington player, was a consistent loose forward. Vern Boyce and John Hutchins were two hard-working locks, while Wairarapa Bush’s front row was solid.

1994 Match Record: Played 13 ; Won 2 ; Lost 11
Points : For 195 ; Against 626

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1994 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
190		Craig Noel Pepperell	Centre, Fullback, Scrumhalf	Red Star	7
192		Joseph North Huirama	Centre, Fullback, Winger	Greytown	4
200		Graham Charles Richardson	Loose Forward	Eketahuna	4
201		Bruce Donald Bowie	Flanker	Puketoi	1
204		Matthew Edward Hoggard	Flanker, Hooker, Lock	Red Star	4
205		Robert Ihaka Rutene	Centre, Fullback	Carterton	5
209		Nicholas Andrew O’Neale	Hooker	Masterton	10
213		Vernon Mark Boyce	Lock	Martinborough	13
214		John Adrian Hutchins	Lock	Red Star	12
215		James Huatahi Shirkey	Winger	Martinborough	5
219		Quentin Geoffrey O’Neale	Centre, Fullback	Masterton	9
224		Mark Brendon Percy	Scrumhalf	East Coast	3
226		Daren Whana Conway Guildford	No. 8	Greytown	7
227		Dean Alan Bassett	Flanker, Lock	Pioneer	12
229		Neil Michael William Foote	First Five, Scrumhalf	Greytown	12
232		Shane Clifton Coley	Prop	Masterton	10
235		Paul Anthony Roache	First Five	Eketahuna	9
238		Aaron Dean Kahu Awa	Winger	Pioneer	2
242		Dean Andrew Spicer	Winger	Greytown	13
244		Mervyn M. Mason	Prop	Pioneer	13
247		Jason Richard Diedrichs	Flanker	Masterton	2
248		John Herbert James Cummings	Loose Forward	Red Star	13
249		Shane Richard Brown	First Five, Fullback	Marist	9
250		Robert Charles Wehe Guildford	Centre	Greytown	6
251		Fale Piopa	Prop	Masterton	4
252		Michael John Jackson	Flanker	Masterton	1
253		Blair Foster Percy	Winger	Eketahuna	3
254		Jason Paul Mather	Hooker	Marist	2
255		Marcus Denis Rose	Winger	Masterton	1
256		Peter Kirk Noble	Centre	Pioneer	7
257		Kelsey David Beales	Winger	Eketahuna	6
258		Corey Maia Rongonui	No. 8	Masterton	3
259		Nicholas Lindsay Scott	Centre	Greytown	2
260		Todd Andrew Coley	Hooker	Red Star	2
261		Damian Kauika	Flanker	Pioneer	5
262		Kerry Todd Hargood	Lock	Marist	5
263		Mark Darryn Childs	First Five	Greytown	4
264		Joe M. Potangaroa	Prop	Marist	3