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 1975 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

A programme of 14 matches makes too great a demand on the resources of the more sparsely populated Unions, who do not possess the depth of players of the required standard. Wairarapa-Bush started well with wins over Nelson-Bays and Hawke’s Bay, but could not sustain this record.

Players from the previous season no longer available included P.J.Ryan to Taupo where he represented Hawke’s Bay, John McEwen overseas, B.W.Narbey moved South and Dalziell who had virtually retired. In all, 30 players were called on, but only eight of these played in 12 or more matches. Eight of the 30 players were new to representative Rugby.

Halfback Karatau captained the side but appeared unable to inspire the players to greater effort, and was not helped by the number of new backs he had to link up with. Dewar shaped well at first five-eighth with good footwork and handling, but was lost through injuries. Utility back Kjestrup took over — a player of much potential: good hands and useful goal-kick. Blake who had last represented in 1973 took over; but the arrival of O’Neill from Waikato, an experienced player who had represented North Otago in 1966 and South Canterbury in 1970-71, gave the knowledge and confidence required in this vital position for the final two games. Bargh, who had ‘previously represented in 1973, tackled hard and ran well, but family circumstances caused him to be not available later; an 18 year-old, Carter, looked very promising in the final matches. Martin was affected by injuries and was not as prominent as previously. Patrick lost two games through injury, but would appear to be of greater value at centre than on the wing. Miller, a new player, looked promising but transferred to Wellington after four games. Sims (1973 representative) was recalled, but was not up to his old form. Robertson was an improved player both on attack and defense. Couch was a good attacking full-back and an excellent goal-kick, and had he been available for the two Sunday games and not been injured against King Country would surely have totaled 100 points.

Turley played his 100th game for his Union against Counties, and was still a great worker in the tight as well as being mobile in the loose, often first to the ball at a kick-off. Fellow-lock Pyatt was disappointing and finally gave way to Guscott who impressed in this position after having played at No. 8 and as prop; he had previously been a Wairarapa Junior representative in 1970 and represented New Zealand Universities in 1972. McConnochie had a good season -— a fast, strong flanker who used his strength to advantage. Spence enjoyed the freedom of the flank position and scored several good tries, but also played at No. 8; he returned to Poverty Bay at the end of the season. Cole was a vigorous flanker and prominent at the front of the line-out.

The front-row of Rowlands (vice-captain) and Playle as props, with Falconer or McGlashan as hooker was an experienced and effective one. But Rowlands, one of the country’s outstanding ‘props, withdrew through personal commitments and the loss of his strength and experience was a blow. McGlashan became the regular hooker and held his own with most opponents. Playle was a key member of the pack who also stood out in the open play. Torea, a new representative, used his 17-1/2 stone to the full as a vigorous prop and
in the line-out.

Dewar and Couch played in the Prince of Wales Cup match.

1975 MATCH RECORD
Played, 14; Won, 3; Lost, 11
Points: For, 164; Against, 301

Results 1975

Wed 07 May	2:30 pm	H	Nelson Bays	Wairarapa-Bush	25 - 10	Match Center
Tue 13 May	2:30 pm	H	Wellington	Wairarapa-Bush	09 - 31	Match Center
Sat 31 May	2:30 pm	H	Hawkes Bay	Wairarapa-Bush	12 - 11	Match Center
Wed 25 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Tonga	Wairarapa-Bush	12 - 13	Match Center
Sun 03 Aug	2:30 pm	A	West Coast	Wairarapa-Bush	23 - 16	Match Center
Wed 06 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Buller	Wairarapa-Bush	06 - 00	Match Center
Sat 09 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Marlborough	Wairarapa-Bush	37 - 03	Match Center
Tue 12 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Counties Manukau	Wairarapa-Bush	12 - 22	Match Center
Sat 23 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Whanganui	Wairarapa-Bush	32 - 16	Match Center
Sun 31 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Horowhenua	Wairarapa-Bush	06 - 23	Match Center
Sat 06 Sep	2:30 pm	H	King Country	Wairarapa-Bush	28 - 17	Match Center
Wed 10 Sep	2:30 pm	H	South Canterbury	Wairarapa-Bush	00 - 26	Match Center
Sat 13 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Manawatu	Wairarapa-Bush	33 - 12	Match Center
Thu 18 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Taranaki	Wairarapa-Bush	13 - 17	Match Center

Cap#		PLAYER	POSITION	CLUB	PL
002		Graham Edmund Falconer	Hooker	Carterton	5
003		William Nepia ‘Bill’ Rowlands	Prop	Red Star	7
004		lan Francis Turley	Loose Forward, Lock	Red Star	14
009		Laurence Herbert Karatau	Scrumhalf	Masterton	14
010		Roy Te Ra Riwai Couch	First Five, Fullback	Featherston	12
013		Bruce George Martin	Centre	Masterton	7
022		Gary Keith McGlashan	Hooker	Red Star	12
034		Brian J. McConnochie	Flanker, Wing	Masterton	13
043		Kevin Wyless Inder	Centre	Masterton	2
047		Richard Ewing ‘Ritchie’ Robertson	Scrumhalf, Wing	Greytown	10
049		Ian Barry Blake	First Five	Carterton	3
050		Howard James Sims	Winger	Red Star	4
053		Christopher John Bargh	Centre	Featherston	9
056		Rex Basil Playle	Prop	Carterton	14
062		Simon James Spence	Flanker	Red Star	13
063		Bruce Bernard Patrick	Centre	Gladstone	12
064		Neil Francis Kjestrup	First Five, Fullback	Gladstone	8
065		Denis John Pyatt	Lock	Masterton	11
066		John William Cole	Flanker	Greytown	8
068		Alan Henry Dewar	First Five	Pahiatua	7
072		Clinton Barclay Gunn	No. 8	Pahiatua	2
073		Donald Eric Miller	Winger	Carterton	4
074		Philip John Guscott	Lock	Masterton	11
075		Noel Ronald Berg	Centre	Carterton	1
076		David James Pitt	Flanker	Greytown	1
077		Terekino Omoeavaroa ‘Terry’ Torea	Prop	Pioneer	6
078		Anthony Ian ’Tony’ Craig	Centre	Masterton	2
079		Kevin Wayne Carter	First Five	Pahiatua	4
080		Antony John Jones	Winger	Red Star	2
081		Alistar John O’Neill	First Five	Red Star	2