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

Wairarapa Bush’s upward trend continued in 2019, making the top four where they lost their Meads Cup semi-final by just two points to eventual Heartland champions North Otago. The opening round win over Wanganui would have given the team a lot of confidence, a match in which the valued Bruce Steel Cup was also attained. Although well beaten by North Otago in the following game, there was only one further loss in the remaining round robin matches. Wairarapa Bush’s ability to grind out victories was a feature, with five of the six wins being by 10 points or less.

A spirited effort was made against North Otago in the semi-final, much superior to that displayed in the round robin defeat. In the final minute of play Wairarapa Bush attacked from their own 22 into the opposition 22 but a knock on at a ruck was called and the fulltime whistle sounded. The side’s fitness was very good and injuries were few, but the major reason for the side’s fortunes was the performance of the forward pack. It was a bigger one than last year and the scrum bettered the majority of the teams it encountered.

Sam Gammie, Bruce Kauika-Petersen and Max Tufuga formed a powerful front row at scrum time, appearing in every game together, with Sam Tufuga a capable reserve. All were mobile around the field, particularly Kauika-Petersen who stood out in this regard. Lachie McFadzean consistently proved his worth in the lineouts as well as applying himself in the tight play, and was partnered for most matches by Andrew McLean who provided good go-forward. James Goodger was the designated captain for the season; however, he suffered a shoulder injury playing for the NZ Heartland team against Samoa, but recovered in time for the final three matches.

Number eight Kirk Tufuga took over the captaincy in Goodger’s absence and retained it upon his return. Johan Van Vliet was an outstanding loose forward, be it tackling on defence, winning the ball at the breakdown or on attack. Brad Campbell showed up well in defence, and only lost his starting place due to the return of Goodger.

At halfback Daryl Pickering had his best season. Tipene Haira started the season in fine form at first five-eighth, but Tim Priest was moved there from fullback for the final few matches. His play throughout the season was of a uniformly high standard, launching counter-attacks and goal-kicking superbly, twice landing valuable last-minute penalty goals — against Thames Valley for a vital bonus point and against Buller for the win.

When Robbie Anderson’s season ended with injury, Ueta Tufuga moved out to centre where he scored a superb try against Poverty Bay. Brock Price was then brought into second five-eighth, proving solid on defence and a strong runner. The two wings,21-year-old Logan Flutey and 18-year-old Logan Hebenton-Prendeville, created problems for opposition defences with their speed and evasive ability, scoring seven and three tries respectively. Hebenton-Prendeville scored a brilliant try on debut against Wanganui. Inia Katia was unpredictable on occasions at fullback, always willing to try things which sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t.

Of last year’s local regulars Soli Malatai was in Wellington, Tavita Isaac was unavailable and Matt Henderson was injured. Johan Van Vliet arrived back in the province having last played for Wairarapa Bush in 2013 after which he then went overseas to play for the Netherlands, while Brent Wilson had previously represented North Harbour and English clubs Northampton and Newcastle Falcons.

In the match against Poverty Bay the union fielded three sets of brothers — Flutey (2), Priest (2) and Tufuga (4). All four Tufuga brothers appeared together in eight of the nine matches.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland: T. Flutey, J. Goodger, L. McFadzean, T. Priest

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2019 {Total Games}

#CAP		NAME	POSITION	CLUB	PL
481		Andrew Robert McLean	Lock	Gladstone	6
509		Johannes Jan Arie van Vliet	Flanker	Eketahuna	11
515		lnia S.T. Katia	Fullback, Scrumhalf, Winger	Gladstone	11
516		Tipene T. Haira	Centre, First Five	Martinborough	12
518		James W.P.R. Goodger	Flanker, Loose Forward	Marist	8
522		Lachie J.M. McFadzean	Lock	Carterton	13
524		Cameron McKellar Hayton	Winger	Gladstone	2
549		Robert Joseph Anderson	Centre	Eketahuna	6
558		Brock O.J. Price	Loose Forward	Carterton	11
559		Timothy Craig ‘Tim’ Priest	First Five, Fullback	Martinborough	10
567		Brendon J.W. ‘BJ’ Campbell	Flanker, No. 8	Eketahuna	11
577		Andrew D. Smith	Flanker, Lock	Gladstone	6
579		Sam G. Gammie	Prop	Eketahuna	13
586		Nicholas J. Hohepa	Prop	Greytown	1
587		Daryl J. Pickering	Scrumhalf	Carterton	13
589		Elijah-James Pakoti	Hooker	Martinborough	11
608		Max Tufuga	Prop	Eketahuna	12
610		Ryan Knell	Loose Forward, Lock	Gladstone	4
611		MooMoo Falaniko	Center, Fullback	Greytown	5
617		Bryan Arnold	Scrumhalf	East Coast	12
619		Tristan Flutey	Center, Winger	Martinborough	11
621		Kirk Tufuga	No. 8	Massey University	12
622		Paddy Gluck	Lock, Scrumhalf	Marist	1
625		Lewis Bush	Prop	Greytown	1
626		Sam Shaw	Loose Forward, No. 8	Eketahuna	7
630		Jerry Mapusua	Prop	Marist	1
631		Vincent Liardet-Smith	Prop	2019, 2018	1
632		Sam Tufuga	Prop	Massey University	11
634		Bruce Kauika-Petersen	Hooker	Northern United	13
635		Josh Pepperell	First Five	2019	1
636		Alex Priest	Fullback, Winger	Martinborough	4
637		Logan Hebenton-Prendeville	Winger	Gladstone	11
638		Joseva Tako	Flanker	Gladstone	6
639		Clinton Keil Skelton		2019	1
640		Usoalii Samuel Ulavade	—	2019	1
641		Ausage Faumui	—	2019	1
642		Jake Wakeling	First Five	2019	1
643		Ueta Tufuga	Center	Massey University	11
644		Brent Wilson	Lock	Carterton	2
645		Jock Cameron	Winger	Gladstone	1
646		Terongo Tekii	Hooker	Carterton	1
647		Logan Flutey	Flanker, Lock	Martinborough	4
648		Raneira Petersen	Centre, First Five, Winger	Greytown	5

#CAP		NAME	SEASON
—		Penalty Try	2019, 2018, 2016, 2005, 1987, 2003, 2002, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999