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

No union, in any division, produced such a marked improvement in results than Wairarapa Bush during the 2000 national championship. Having slipped from the second division after the 1998 season, in 1999 they languished at the bottom of the third division, having achieved just one victory.

And the 2000 season could have been even better for new coach Roger Walker as Wairarapa Bush were desperately unlucky not to win their semi-final at Ruatoria after leading until close to full-time. It took a dropped goal by Mano Flutey almost on the final whistle to give East Coast a one point victory. Had that match been won, Wairarapa Bush were confident of beating North Otago. In both round-robin matches, despite one being narrowly lost, they had had the better of their opponents.

Given the sudden resurgence of form produced by Walker it was surprising that his name did not appear on the nominations list for NPC Coach of the Year. Few coaches have made such an impact in their first season.

Several non first-class games were played earlier in the season with wins over Wanganui and Manawatu and losses to New Zealand Universities, Marlborough and a Wellington XV.  In the defeat of Manawatu, Wairarapa Bush took possession of the Bruce Steel Cup for the first time since 1972 and later defended the trophy successfully against Horowhenua-Kapiti. While the union made maximum use of Wellington players residing in the Hutt Valley, this policy did not dampen public support for the team and it is encouraging to see increased crowd numbers and enthusiasm at home fixtures.

The team’s strength was in the forwards and while the backs lacked true attacking power they were sound on defence. Mike Robinson was an outstanding captain and had excellent support from fellow loose forwards (Germaine Anaha and Wal Frith. The two young locks, James Saipani and Norm Henricksen. not only excelled in the lineouts but were mobile and industrious about the field. New props Rakai Te Ture and Wai Heybloom ensured a steady scrum with Matthew Hoggard and Joe Harwood sharing the hooking duties.

The experienced Peter Bresaz at first five-eighth directed back play with two newcomers outside him in Thomas Gemmell and centre Robert Hooper. The robust Jamie Stewart-McDonald was top try scorer and a determined runner. The other wingers were Sam Booth and the speedy .James Reilly while at fullback Patrick Rimene seized any attacking opportunity.

2000 NPC Third Division Match Record: Played 9 ; Won 6; Lost 3
Points : For 217 ; Against 134

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2000 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
197		Peter R. Bresaz	Centre	Masterton Red Star	7
204		Matthew Edward Hoggard	Flanker, Hooker, Lock	Masterton Red Star	6
213		Vernon Mark Boyce	Lock	Masterton Red Star	1
224		Mark Brendon Percy	Scrumhalf	East Coast	7
307		Michael Raymond Robinson	Loose Forward, Lock	Upper Hutt – Wellington RU	9
323		Germaine Stacey Anaha	Flanker	Masterton Red Star	9
330		Samuel John Booth	Winger	Masterton Red Star	6
332		Frederick James Taulapapa Saipani	Lock	Gladstone	8
335		Andy Thomson Wichman	Winger	Masterton Red Star	1
336		James Clayton Bruce	Scrumhalf	Gladstone	4
343		Patrick Harding-Rimene	First Five, Fullback	Marist	8
351		Norman Albert Henricksen	Flanker, Lock	Puketoi	9
354		Rakai Te Ture	Prop	Masterton Red Star	9
355		Waikura Vincent ‘Wai’ Heybloom	Prop	Masterton Red Star	9
356		Warren John ‘Wai’ Frith	Flanker	Masterton Red Star	9
357		Anton Murray Persico	First Five	Marist	5
358		Jamie Finn Stewart-McDonald	Centre, Winger	Marist	9
359		Thomas Paul Gemmell	First Five	Avalon – Wellington RU	9
360		Robert Bruce Hooper	Centre	Avalon – Wellington RU	9
361		William James Christopher Reilly	Fullback, Winger	Marist St Pats –  Wellington RU	9
362		Justin Hugh Va’a	Prop	Wainuiomata – Wellington RU	8
363		Joseph Rua ‘Joe’ Harwood	Hooker, Prop	Carterton	7
364		Stuart Graeme Smith	Lock	Eketahuna	6
365		Cameron Bain Woodhouse	Flanker	Carterton	5
366		Matua Frank Puia	Prop	Puketoi	2