2003

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

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2003

waibush2014

Season

2003 Status:
Third Division
Founded 1886 – Affiliated 1893 – Amalgamated 1971
President:
L.J.Hurley
Chairman:
A.G.Beech
Chief.Executive.Officer:
P.J.Taylor
Coach:
P.C.Russell
Main ground:
Memorial Park , Masterton
Capacity
10,000
Colours:
Green and Red

A notable feature of the 2003 squad was that, for the first time for several years, the union relied on local club talent instead of a heavy use of players trekking over the Rimutaka Hill from Wellington. This change in policy can only restore confidence in locals aspiring to NPC level.

The new coach, Peter Russell, a former Carterton resident who had achieved three Wellington senior club championship titles coaching Marist St Pats, produced results which confirmed that this small union can field a respectable team from their own resources. In 2002 the team had won just two games and were 15 championship points short of qualifying for the play-offs. ln 2003 three games were won and the gap to qualifying had shortened to just two championship points.

The 32-37 loss at Greymouth in the first round proved to be the defining match which denied Wairarapa Bush a semi-final place. It was West Coast’s sole win of their season and the visitors had been trailing 10-29 at the break before scoring three second half tries. Despite that loss Wairarapa Bush still had a real chance of finishing in the top four when, in the final round-robin match, they led King Country 18-17 late in the game. When King Country scored within six minutes of fulltime, Wairarapa Bush were consigned from what would have been second position to sixth – an indication of the closeness of the third division championship.

The outstanding player was flanker Germaine Anaha, who not only gained Divisional team honours but was the only player outside a division one union to gain selection to tour Canada with the New Zealand Maori team. Anaha, who has represented Wairarapa Bush with distinction since 1998, was an inspiring captain and his departure to Taranaki will be a big loss to his union. Another standout player was number eight Darryl Fale, who arrived during the season from Manawatu. The former Taranaki and Hurricanes representative added plenty of experience and his defence and driving charges lifted the team considerably. Stu Smith had his best season, playing every game at lock. Other forwards to appear in all NPC games were Damon Searle, Dan Filihiahekava, Logan Ili, Wai Heybloom, Jason Adamson and Ritchie MacDonald.

Best of the backs were the strong-running centre Simanu Simanu and the inside pairing of James Bruce and Patrick Rimene. There were also fine contributions from fullback Richard Carroll, wingers Bevan Gray and Asesela Lagiloa, midfielders Steve Olds and Nathan Couch and halfback Hamish McKenzie.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Maori: Germaine Anaha.
New Zealand Divisional Team: Germaine Anaha, J.F.Stewart-McDonald

Wairarapa Bush - 2003
Wairarapa Bush – 2003

2003 Pre-Season Match Record: Played 2 ; Lost 2
Points :For 24 ; Against 58

2003 NPC Third Division Match Record: Played 7 ; Won 3; Lost 4
Points : For 156 ; Against 160

2003

Mon 02 Jun 2:30 pm Representative Match Hawkes Bay v Wairarapa-Bush RU 37 - 15
Wed 18 Jun 2:30 pm Representative Match Manawatu v Wairarapa-Bush RU 21 - 09
Sat 23 Aug 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC West Coast v Wairarapa-Bush RU 37 - 32
Sat 30 Aug 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Poverty Bay 28 - 15
Sat 06 Sep 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Buller 25 - 00
Sat 13 Sep 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wairarapa-Bush RU 34 - 12
Sat 20 Sep 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v Whanganui 35 - 18
Sat 27 Sep 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC Wairarapa-Bush RU v South Canterbury 06 - 32
Sat 04 Oct 2:30 pm 3rd Division NPC King Country v Wairarapa-Bush RU 24 - 18

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2003 {Total Games}

#CAP NAME POSITION SEASON PL
257 Kelsey David Beales Winger Eketahuna 8
278 Richard John Carroll Fullback Pioneer 8
287 Nathan Leslie Arekateia Riwai-Couch First Five, Fullback Marist 6
323 Germaine Stacey Anaha Flanker Masterton Red Star 8
332 Frederick James Taulapapa Saipani Lock Carterton 2
336 James Clayton Bruce Scrumhalf Gladstone 7
343 Patrick Harding-Rimene First Five, Fullback Marist 9
347 Logan Fiaui Ili Prop Featherston 9
351 Norman Albert Henricksen Flanker, Lock Greytown/Tuhirangi 6
355 Waikura Vincent ‘Wai’ Heybloom Prop Marist – Manawatu RU 7
363 Joseph Rua ‘Joe’ Harwood Hooker, Prop Carterton 2
364 Stuart Graeme Smith Lock Eketahuna 9
368 Jason P. Adamson Flanker, Hooker Carterton 9
369 Richard Allan McDonald Flanker, Hooker Featherstone 7
380 David John Drummond Winger Gladstone 1
392 Daniel Paul Wyeth Prop Marist 2
393 Mikaele Apikatoa Flanker Carterton 1
396 Barry S. O’Sullivan Flanker East Coast 2
397 Hamish Mavor McKenzie Scrumhalf Eketahuna 9
403 Simanu Filisoa Simanu Centre Eketahuna 9
405 Dan Filihiahekava Lock Featherston 9
407 Asesela G. Lagiloa Winger Eketahuna 9
408 Dylan Morgan Higgison Prop Greytown/Tuhirangi 2
409 Jacob Aaron Bubb Flanker Masterton Red Star 1
410 Daniel William Aldworth Flanker, Lock Eketahuna 2
411 Damien Connolly Winger Carterton 2
412 Steven Gerald Olds Centre Eketahuna 9
413 Tyron McTavish Lock Masterton Red Star 7
414 Lance Graeme Blatchford Centre Eketahuna 1
415 Brendan Hiona Walker Prop Eketahuna 7
416 Damon Richard Searle Flanker Carterton 7
417 Russell van Dieman No. 8 Masterton Red Star 3
418 Bevan John Gray Winger Marist – Manawatu RU 7
419 Darryl Glen Fale Loose Forward Carterton 6
420 Daniel P. Elms Fullback Eketahuna 1
#CAP NAME SEASON
Penalty Try 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2015, 2014, 2008, 1987, 2003, 2002, 2013, 1990, 2010, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 1