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

Although only one NPC match was won, against King Country, it seemed harsh that Wairarapa Bush were relegated to the third division for 1999.

Disadvantaged by having to meet eventual division winners Central Vikings twice in round-robin play, Wairarapa Bush were a mere two bonus points short of having their status preserved. They appeared to be better organised and with a more settled squad than King Country. The side played with a considerable amount of spirit with a strong loose forward trio and experience among the inside backs.

Several players loaned by Wellington added strength to a union affected by decreasing player numbers. With teams in the northem district of Pahiatua and Woodville, once known as Bush Union, now playing in the Manawatu competition, Wairarapa Bush’s catchment area has greatly diminished.

Experienced halfback Neil Foote again led the side and dictated back play. At five-eighth Nathan and Ben Couch had their moments with Nathan Couch finishing the season at fullback when veteran Mark Benton, who had last represented in 1992, was brought in to add greater control to the backline. Centre Robin Walker had represented Nelson Bays in 1997. George Rogers showed speed on the wing. Wairarapa Bush lost their promising fullback of last season, Russell Thompson to Counties Manukau but gained young Poverty Bay rep Jeremy David, who proved a dangerous runner on attack. Tragically, Jeremy David died on Christmas Day after falling from a two-storey building.

The feature of the forwards was the effectiveness of the loose trio, Aaron Satchwell, Elliot Fuller and Mike Fleming. They were a better combination than several other second division teams, being fast to the breakdowns and strong tacklers. Former New Zealand Universities lock Andrew Elvidge continues to impress as a lineout taker and provided tidy ball. Junior Maligi was effective and mobile as a flanker or lock and 23-year-old Deon Mitchell is an energetic hooker showing considerable promise. Alan Kent a New Zealand Colts triallist in 1995, and Shane Coley were the regular props.

1998 Pre-Season Match Record: Played 3 ; Won 2 ; Lost 1
Points : For 73  ; Against 75

1998 NPC Second Division Match Record: Played 8; Won 1 ; Lost 7
Points : For 126 ; Against 287

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 1998 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
155		Mark Frederick Clive Benton	First Five, Fullback	Carterton	7
205		Robert Ihaka Rutene	Centre, Fullback	Carterton	1
229		Neil Michael William Foote	First Five, Scrumhalf	Greytown	11
232		Shane Clifton Coley	Prop	Masterton Red Star	9
256		Peter Kirk Noble	Centre	Pioneer	7
260		Todd Andrew Coley	Hooker	Masterton Red Star	2
262		Kerry Todd Hargood	Lock	Marist	1
267		Michael James Fleming	Flanker	Greytown	10
268		Faleono Tufuga	Lock	Gladstone	2
271		R. Elliot Fuller	Flanker	Harlequins -Wellington RU	9
279		James Olds Rasmussen	Fullback, Winger	Masterton Red Star	8
287		Nathan Leslie Arekateia Riwai-Couch	First Five, Fullback	Marist	11
292		Mana N. Faraimo	Prop	Carterton	5
295		Steven Veitch	Flanker, Lock	Gladstone	2
296		Aaron Wayne Satchwell	No. 8	Eketahuna	11
297		George H. Rogers	Winger	Greytown	11
301		Michael James Gibbs	Lock	Eketahuna	1
302		Simon William Edward Searle	Flanker	Carterton	2
304		Brendon Paul Thomas	Centre	Puketoi	1
310		Benjamin Francis Couch	First Five, Winger	Marist	9
313		Deon Geoffrey Mitchell	Hooker	East Coast	10
314		Robin Noel Walker	Centre	Featherston	11
315		Raymond Jeremy Peter David	Fullback, Winger	Marist	11
316		John Walter Kilmister	Hooker	Gladstone	9
317		Aaron Matenga	Prop	East Coast	2
318		Graeme Hill	Prop	Marist	3
319		Brendon Mears	Flanker	Marist	1
320		Victor Graham Thompson	Scrumhalf	Pioneer	4
321		Sevulani Kurewaka	Winger	Gladstone	6
322		Shane Tyrone Namana	Lock	Carterton	10
323		Germaine Stacey Anaha	Flanker	Pioneer	7
324		David Edwards	Lock	Eketahuna	1
325		Alan J. Kent	Prop	Hutt OB Marist – Wellington RU	9
326		Andrew Douglas Elvidge	Flanker, Lock	Marist St Pats – Wellington RU	9
327		Junior Q. Maligi	Flanker, Lock	Northern United – Wellington RU	9
328		Tama K.M. Renata	Winger	Wainuiomata – Wellington RU	5
329		David William Hume	Hooker, Prop	Tuhirangi	3
330		Samuel John Booth	Winger	Masterton Red Star	1