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 2021 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

The loss to Wanganui in the final match of the season was a disappointing end to the season after wins in their first four games. In what was a virtual final for the Bruce Steel Cup Wairarapa Bush succumbed 8—29 in coach Joe Harwood’s last game. He has retired after four years in charge.

In the competitive forward pack prop Max Tufuga was a strong scrummager and reserve prop Topou Lea’aemanu always provided good impact off the bench in general play and scored three tries.

Newcomer Peter Beech won plenty of lineout ball. Number eight Kirk Tufuga captained the team well and after the Wanganui match was called into the Manawatu team for the Mitre 10 Cup.

The best of the backs was Nikora Ewe, a strong running second five-eighth and solid defender.

First five-eighth Sam Morison had a good debut season and speedy winger Soli Malatai was always a danger despite only touching down once.

The vastly experienced Inia Katia’s role was essentially as a second half substitute at halfback and in that position produced a superb display into the strong wind to secure victory against Poverty Bay.

The match against Poverty Bay was played at Park Island, Napier.

The Bruce Steel Cup in 2020 was played on a round robin basis among the three competing unions with four points for a win, not on the usual lines of a challenge match.

Cap# & Wairarapa Bush REPRESENTATIVES 2020 {Total Games}

			Position
477		Tavita A. Isaac	No. 8
511		Johannes Jan Arie van Vliet	Flanker
517		Inia S.T. Katia	Fullback, Scrumhalf, Winger
518		Tipene T. Haira	Centre, First Five
525		Nathan Shane Hunt	Fullback
542		Joseph George ’Joe’ Beech	Lock, No. 8
555		Teihana Brown	Centre
581		Sam G. Gammie	Prop
591		Elijah-James Pakoti	Hooker
600		Nikora V. Ewe	Centre, Winger
601		Soli Malatai	Centre, Winger
610		Max Tufuga	Prop
623		Kirk Tufuga	No. 8
627		Lewis Bush	Prop
640		Joseva Tako	Flanker
648		Terongo Tekii	Hooker
651		Chris Hemi	Prop
652		Peter Beech	Lock
653		Cameron Ravenwood	Scrumhalf
654		Shane Harmon	Winger
655		Tafa Tafa	Fullback
656		Nick Birchfield	First Five, Fullback
657		Himiona Haira	Flanker
658		Tupou Lea'aemanu	Prop
659		Tom McKay	Lock
660		Sam Morison	Fullback
661		Sam Siaosi	Prop
662		Lee Thomson	Scrumhalf
663		Leo Eneliko	Centre, No. 8