All Black Andy Haden, centre, is flanked by Maurice Colclough, left, and Steve Bainbridge, right of the British Lions during the fourth test at Eden Park on July 16, 1983. New Zealand won 38-6. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
RUGBY
CHRIS COGDALE
[email protected]
Wairarapa-Bush 6, Auckland 16 is a result that grates with many Wairarapa-Bush rugby fans – especially those of my generation.
The scene was Memorial Park on August 13, 1985.
A near-capacity crowd turned out on that cold wintry Tuesday afternoon, and braved a strong southerly, persistent rain, and occasional snow flurries, as the country boys took on the All Blacks-laden city slickers.
Mark Benton kicked the only points for the home side. The only try was controversial to say the least, with Auckland flanker Mark Brooke-Cowden scoring from a 10m forward pass.
As more than one player from that Wai-Bush team have stated, Auckland captain Andy Haden did a superb job ‘refereeing’ the game, as the official whistle blower, Ken Beckett, struggled to see through his rain-splattered glasses.
Wai-Bush went on to finish fourth in the NPC first division that year, memorably beating Canterbury, Otago, and Wellington in a last-gasp 20-19 win with Mark Benton converting Mike Foster’s try on fulltime.
But there were no semifinals in those days, and Auckland remained the only province that Wai-Bush didn’t beat in their six seasons in the first division.
Now Wai-Bush chief executive officer Tony Hargood wants to right a wrong by taking on Auckland in a virtual game of rugby.
“At the last minute, Auckland rang and said ‘Yes’ to our request,” Hargood said.
“Auckland will name their team from their 1985 squad to take the field against Wai-Bush but said it must be played at Eden Park,” he said.
“Auckland said they are so confident of winning the semifinal that we can name our best team from all of our 728 players since amalgamation in 1971 and we can bring our own referee and touch judges.”
Hargood is calling on all Wai-Bush supporters to have a bit of fun and see how their 23 players match up against the “official” team.
Each day over this week, the Times-Age will display a shortlist of players for each position.
The final selections will be announced shortly before kick-off at 2.30pm on Sunday.
The game will be “screened” live on the Wai-Bush Facebook page.
To kick off the selection process the shortlisted front rowers are:
Props [four required]: Robbie McLean, Brett Aitkenhead, Chris Kapene, Rex Playle, Bill Rowlands, Brian Styles, Brendon Walker, Kurt Simmonds, Nigel Sargent
Hookers [two required]: Gary McGlashan, Joe Harwood, Richard Puddy, Steve Thompson, Andrew Makalio, Glen Fraser.
