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:
2003Season |
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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

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