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

After seven matches, Wairarapa Bush had six wins and were in second place with the same number of points as leader Mid Canterbury. With the last round robin match to go, and a top two finish and home semi-final likely, a poor loss in tough conditions to Thames Valley at Paeroa meant finishing third and an away semi-final to North Otago. At Oamaru, in a thriller each side scored six tries, but Wairarapa Bush were down 12-31 at halftime and despite an improved second half eventually lost 34-48.

The team was very consistently selected. Nick Olson was a dangerous runner and safe at fullback. Of the wings Paul Tikomainavalu was the standout, with Hayton and Hunt having less opportunities. Byron Karaitiana had a cutting edge at second five-eighth, and it was only at centre where the coach had to make a selection change due to form with Tapaga Isaac being preferred in the second half of the season. At first five-eighth Glen Walters again made a difference with his boot for goal and position. Zeb Aporo and his deputy Inia Katia were both good halfbacks with a good service.

Nathan Iro was a hard to stop number eight. Captain Johan Van Vliet started off slow but hit form by the end. In form blindside flanker James Goodger suffered a broken jaw against West Coast and didn’t play again until the last match. He was missed. Lachie McFadzean showed up well at lock and was partnered throughout by Clark Butcher. At prop Finnbarr Kerr-Newell shone in the tight and made many strong charges and Jonathan Fuimaono similarly added consistent impact coming off the bench. Richard Puddy played every game at hooker.

Just 27 players were used, with only seven being new. Of the newcomers Paul Tikomainavalu had previously represented Poverty Bay. Campbell Lawrence had last appeared in 2011 and Ben Pereira in 2009. 2012 captain Kurt Simmonds was out injured.

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: Hayton, L.McFadzean, Walters

Pre-Season Match Record: Played 4 ; Won 3 ; Lost 1
Points : For 113; Against 95

2013 Heartland Match Record: Played 9 ; Won 6 ; Lost 3
Points :For 237; Against 192

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2013 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
462		Tapaga Peter Alefaio Isaac	Centre	Greytown	10
464		Zebulan.A.T.M.’Zeb’ Aporo	Scrumhalf	East Coast	10
477		Nicholas Keith Olson	Fullback, Winger	East Coast	11
478		Richard William Puddy	Hooker, Prop	Gladstone	11
486		Byron Tony Ivan Karaitiana	First Five, Fullback	East Coast	11
498		Ben John Tavita Pereira	Hooker	East Coast	3
503		John Alexander Alistair ‘Johnnie’ McFadzean	Loose Forward	Carterton	11
508		Campbell John Lawrence	Hooker, Prop	Bush Sports	10
509		Johannes Jan Arie van Vliet	Flanker	Eketahuna	10
515		lnia S.T. Katia	Fullback, Scrumhalf, Winger	Gladstone	9
518		James W.P.R. Goodger	Flanker, Loose Forward	Marist	5
521		James Robert ‘Jamie’ Hunt	Hooker	Bush Sports	10
522		Lachie J.M. McFadzean	Lock	Carterton	11
523		Nathan Shane Hunt	Fullback	Martinborough	10
524		Cameron McKellar Hayton	Winger	Gladstone	10
526		Sam Michael Marshall-Wilson	Flanker, Lock, Prop	Bush Sports	7
529		Glen Miha Walters	First Five, Fullback	Greytown	10
531		Lance Graves	Hooker, Prop	Gladstone	3
532		Jonathon Roy Fuimaono	Prop	O.B.University – Wgtn	9
534		Titapu Pairama-Lewington	Center	O.B.University – Wgtn	10
535		Finnbarr John Kerr-Newell	Prop	O.B.University – Wgtn	11
536		Wiremu Grace	Lock	East Coast	9
537		Joseph Shaun Mark Sio	Scrumhalf	Greytown	7
538		Paulo Rokolili Tikomainavalu	Centre, Winger	Carterton	11
539		Clark Butcher	Lock	East Coast	11
540		Joseph George ’Joe’ Beech	Lock, No. 8	O.B.University – Wgtn	1
541		Nathan Anilafa Iro	No. 8	Greytown	10