Ray Stafford (from left), Richard Adam, Andy Baker and Kiwi Searancke were some of the many Waikato reps from the Te Awamutu area.
Ray Stafford (from left), Richard Adam, Andy Baker and Kiwi Searancke were some of the many Waikato reps from the Te Awamutu area.
The professional era of rugby (1996-present) is talked about a lot these days but there were plenty of passionate players that 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 Ōhaupō 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.
One-cap Waikato loose forward Martyn Steffert coached Te Awamutu Sports after his playing career was over.
Te Awamutu region Waikato XV - 1960-1995:
John O'Connor - Te Awamutu Old Boys 1974.
1. J.M. (John) O’Connor - Te Awamutu Old Boys
Waikato #688
Waikato years: 1973-1974
Waikato caps: 23
Waikato points: 8
Other rep teams: Auckland Colts, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson Bays Invitational XV, Harlequins club, Barbarians club, New Zealand Colts, New Zealand Juniors, New Zealand Trials
Other rep teams: Manawatū, Wairarapa Bush Centennial XV, New Zealand Colts, North Island Universities, New Zealand Development Team, New Zealand XV, New Zealand Universities, New Zealand Trials
