The "honours list" for the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's 125th anniversary dinner being held at the Masterton Town Hall on Saturday night will bring back many memories.
Those on the list are all surviving former and current Bush, Wairarapa and Wairarapa-Bush players or administrators who have played for national sides or chalked
up 100 matches in their provincial colours.
Six of them - Sir Brian Lochore, Mike McCool, Brett Harvey, Marty Berry, Brent Anderson and Robbie McLean - have worn the All Blacks jersey with Sir Brian also coaching the national team when they won the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
Rebecca Mahoney has been a member of two Black Fern World Cup-winning teams and is again in the reckoning for selection.
New Zealand Maori honours came the way of Kingi Matthews, Germaine Anaha, George Mahupuku and Charlie Kaka, while Phillip Rutene and Michael Foster were in New Zealand Colts teams, Ian Turley, Graham Falconer and Brent Elder in New Zealand Junior teams and Brian Styles, Dylan Higgison, Patrick Rimene, John Hutchins, Nathan Couch, Joe Harwood and Nick Olson in New Zealand Heartland sides.
Celebrated for playing 100 matches for their province will be Mark Benton, Ian Turley, Bernie Lett, Jamie Kerriage, Neil Kjestrup and Gary McGlashan while recognised for their administrative achievements will be Lane Penn (NZRFU president), Dave Galvin (NZRFU board member), Ross Cooper (NZ selector), Peter Russell (NZ Heartland coach) and Bob Francis (international referee).
Each of those on the "honours list" will be presented with an attractive commemorative shirt at the function which is expected to attract 500 guests, including members and coaching staffs of all 10 premier division sides who will be involved in inter-club play at Memorial Park that afternoon.
