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

As a Meads Cup semi-finalist in each of the previous two seasons, big things were expected of Wairarapa Bush in 2014. And, after a thumping 71 – 0 win over Poverty Bay in a first-class fixture pre-Heartland, another semi-final appearance again looked highly likely. In the end, though, the side did not get close. They came from behind to defeat Thames Valley for their sole win in the sixth round of the competition. But an unlucky draw with eventual champions Mid Canterbury – where they conceded a last minute converted try – was easily their best performance. A major problem for the side was the penalty count against them.

In the forwards the triumvirate of lock Andrew McLean, hooker Richard Puddy and captain/prop Kurt Simmonds were the standouts. Flanker Isaac O’Connor was not far behind them. Season-ending injuries sustained by NZ Universities rep Andrew McWhirter and prop Finbarr Kerr-Newell were real blows to the side. John McFadzean and Tom Fleming had high work rates in the forward exchanges.

In the backs, former Canterbury rep Sam Monaghan always looked most likely to create something. The top try-scorer started at first five-eighth and then shifted to fullback in a swap with Ben Aoina. Byron Karaitiana was dangerous in broken play and was partnered in the midfield by newcomer Robert Anderson, who had a pleasing all round debut season. The big, strong running wing, Paula Tikomainavalu, did not play after the halfway point of the season, with the two wing positions then becoming a three-way contest between Cameron Hayton, Nathan Hunt and Nick Olson. At halfback, Zeb Aporo was a solid performer.

Thirty-one players were called on, 16 appearing in all matches or missing just one match. Fleming, McLean, Simmonds and Te Whare had previously played in 2012.

The 2013 regulars missing this year were James Goodger and Tapaga Isaac (both injured), Nathan Iro (Wellington), Johan van Vliet (Netherlands) and Glen Walters (Wellington).

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: N.S. Hunt, A.R. McLean, SJ. Monaghan

2014 Match Record: Played 9 ; Won 2 ; Drew 1 ; Lost 6

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2014 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
464		Zebulan.A.T.M.’Zeb’ Aporo	Scrumhalf	East Coast	9
471		Kurt Michael Simmonds	Prop	Greytown	9
477		Nicholas Keith Olson	Fullback, Winger	East Coast	9
478		Richard William Puddy	Hooker, Prop	Gladstone	8
481		Andrew Robert McLean	Lock	Gladstone	9
486		Byron Tony Ivan Karaitiana	First Five, Fullback	East Coast	8
503		John Alexander Alistair ‘Johnnie’ McFadzean	Loose Forward	Carterton	9
515		lnia S.T. Katia	Fullback, Scrumhalf, Winger	Gladstone	8
523		Nathan Shane Hunt	Fullback	Martinborough	6
524		Cameron McKellar Hayton	Winger	Gladstone	9
526		Sam Michael Marshall-Wilson	Flanker, Lock, Prop	Eketahuna	8
530		Michael Joseph Te Whare	Center	Marist	3
533		Thomas Peter James ‘Tom’ Fleming	Loose Forward, Lock	Carterton	8
535		Finnbarr John Kerr-Newell	Prop	O.B.University – Wgtn	4
537		Joseph Shaun Mark Sio	Scrumhalf	Greytown	2
538		Paulo Rokolili Tikomainavalu	Centre, Winger	Eketahuna	5
540		Joseph George ’Joe’ Beech	Lock, No. 8	O.B.University – Wgtn	9
542		Jacko Hull	Prop	Carterton	7
543		Andrew James McWhirter	Flanker	Carterton	2
544		Rimataeri ‘Rima’ Marurai	Flanker	Pioneer	9
545		Samuel Jack ‘Sam’ Monaghan	First Five, Fullback, Winger	Eketahuna	9
546		Benjamin Iosua Kiwi ‘Ben’ Aoina	First Five, Fullback	Upper Hutt – Wgtn	8
547		Heinrich Tennison Terblanche	Prop	Carterton	7
548		Adam Johnson	Hooker	Martinborough	4
549		Robert Joseph Anderson	Centre	Eketahuna	9
550		Isaac O’Connor	Flanker	Marist St Pats – Wgtn	7
551		Otto Raymond Rasch	Prop	Hut O.B Marist – Wgtn	3
552		Greg Anthony Mullany	First Five	O.B.University – Wgtn	1
553		Teihana Brown	Centre	Greytown	2
554		Cody K. Whittaker	Scrumhalf	Martinborough	1
555		Zachary George ‘Zac’ Wilkie	Hooker	Eketahuna	2