An “old school” Waikato rep XV
The professional era of rugby (1996-present) is talked about a lot these days but there were plenty of passionate players who were legends in their own right before money became involved.
The Te Awamutu region has seen many great Waikato representatives over the past 102 years.
From the pile of provincial representatives, I have put together an “Old School XV” of Waikato reps to play for clubs in the Te Awamutu region between 1960 and 1995.
Please note, this is not every representative and is just a random selection.
The likes of Waikato centurion Pat “Foxy” Bennett joined haupō Rugby Sports Club in 1984 after his Waikato career was over, while others moved to another club after just one season in the Te Awamutu area.
Several New Zealand players and New Zealand triallists played in the region over that period.
Te Awamutu St Pat’s Old Boys (now Te Awamutu Marist) had the services of New Zealand winger Bill Birtwistle for 1967, while current All Blacks coach Ian Foster amassed over 100 games for Te Awamutu clubs.
Former Te Awamutu Courier sports editor Colin Thorsen says that the prolific try scorer “just glided — it was just poetry in motion”.
Bill Bartie, John O’Connor and Richard Jerram were among the New Zealand triallists.
Te Awamutu region Waikato XV — 1960-1995: 1. J.M. (John) O’Connor
— Te Awamutu Old Boys
Waikato #688
Waikato years: 1973-1974 Waikato caps: 23
Waikato points: 8
2. P.J. (Pat/Foxy) Bennett — haupō Waikato #693
Waikato years: 1973-1978, 1980-1983 Waikato caps: 133
Waikato points: 20
3. K.P. (Kiwi) Searancke — TA OB/ Kihikihi
Waikato #711
Waikato years: 1976, 1978-1983 Waikato caps: 73
Waikato points: 4
4. B.C. (Bruce) Mandeno — Te Awamutu United
Waikato #659
Waikato years: 1970 Waikato caps: 3
5. B.A. (Bill) Bartie — TA OB/Kihikihi Waikato #690
Waikato years: 1973-1976, 1978
Waikato caps: 23
Waikato points: 4
6. R.M. (Richard) Jerram — TA OB Waikato #871
Waikato years: 1988-1994 Waikato caps: 106
Waikato points: 122
7. R.B. (Ray) Stafford — TA United Waikato #687
Waikato years: 1973-1975 Waikato caps: 37
Waikato points: 16
8. R.G. (Robin/Bob) O’Neill — Te Awamutu St Pat’s Old Boys Waikato #615
Waikato years: 1967 Waikato caps: 6
9. D.G. (Dene) Mullins — TA OB Waikato #715
Waikato years: 1976 Waikato caps: 4
10. I.D. (Ian) Foster — TA OB/Te
Awamutu Sports
Waikato #815
Waikato years: 1985-1988, 1990-1998 Waikato caps: 148
Waikato points: 322
11. R.A. (Richard) Adam Jnr — TA United/TA OB/TA Sports
Waikato #735
Waikato years: 1978, 1980-1984 Waikato caps: 75
Waikato points: 215
12. S.H. (Selwyn) Hohepa — TA OB/ TA Sports/Kihikihi
Waikato #864
Waikato years: 1988, 1991 Waikato caps: 6
Waikato points: 3
13. W.C. (Wren) Bartram — TA United Waikato #577
Waikato years: 1966-1968 Waikato caps: 19
Waikato points: 12
14. W.M. (Bill) Birtwistle — TA SPOB Waikato #608
Waikato years: 1967-1970 Waikato caps: 29
Waikato points: 21
15. A.W. (Andy) Baker — TA SPOB Waikato #709
Waikato years: 1976, 1978-1979, 1981-1983
Waikato caps: 50
Waikato points: 221
Reserves:
T.J. (Tom) Chestnut — TA OB Waikato #552
Waikato years: 1963-1965 Waikato caps: 27
Waikato points: 3
A.B. (Bryce) Wilson — TA United Waikato #582
Waikato years: 1967 Waikato caps: 7
D.J. (David) Livingstone — TA OB \Waikato #763
Waikato years: 1980-1982 Waikato caps: 17
M.J. (Marty) Gilmer — TA United Waikato #635
Waikato years: 1968-1972, 1974 Waikato caps: 45
Waikato points: 17
R.T. (Rex) Robinson — TA Sports Waikato #905
Waikato years: 1993-1994 Waikato caps: 7
P.G. (Peter) Hollinshead — TA SPOB Waikato #562
Waikato years: 1964-1965, 1967 Waikato caps: 5
G.M. (Graham) Dewdney — TA United
Waikato #560
Waikato years: 1964, 1968 Waikato caps: 5
Waikato points: 3
A.A. (Andy) Ō Bell — haupō/TA SPOB Waikato #551
Waikato years: 1963, 1965, 1968-1969 Waikato caps: 23
Waikato points: 78