Year By Year , Our History ~ 2012 ~

We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Buller Rugby Union.
We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series since 1934 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

Buller and neighbours West Coast were the only remaining regions in New Zealand rugby never to have won a national championship trophy — until 2012. Buller had sighted the Lochore Cup when Westport hosted the 2010 final but Wairarapa Bush took the trophy home. There was no prize for second place despite Buller’s narrow 15-9 loss. In 2012 Buller hosted the Lochore Cup final again after a most successful season. Hosting rights ‘were assisted by South Canterbury being stripped of two championship points because of a breach of the eligibility regulations,

During the round robin only Wanganui comfortably defeated Buller, the other losses being to North Otago and eventual Meads Cup winner East Coast. Memories of the 2010 final lost returned to several of the players, and coaches, when a semi-final against Poverty Bay was set to be played at Westport. The disappointment of two years; previous made the home side more determined to avoid a repeat. Buller raced away to a 31-03 halftime lead and Won 42-22.

In the final South Canterbury were dominant during the first half, scoring two tries while Marty Banks kicked four penalties to keep the home side in the game. Near halftime Andrew Norton-Taylor scored under the posts and Buller trailed by one point. After the break, Pene Nabainivalu scored, and later Ilaisa Namua. For the remaining 20 minutes Buller defended its ll-point lead against South Canterbury’s strong attacks. A try was conceded but the game was won 31-28. It was Buller’s Finest Hour in championship rugby.

For the coaches Craig Neil and Craig Scanlon the cup win was a fitting reward for six years guiding the team. Reward also to the players who had given many years’ service to the small union including the centurions Luke Brownlee and Phil Beveridge. Nabainivalu was in outstanding form, he forming a dangerous attacking midfield partnership with Trael Joass. Teenager Andrew Norton-Taylor showed much promise on the wing and a versatile William Saukuru performed well in each of the four positions he was placed. Marty Banks, a former Canterbury B rep, set a new union record for points in a season. Andrew Stephens’ consistent form again earned him Heartland selection.

James Foster locked the scrum with Ben Coman and later Craig Moore. Coman led the side in the final games following the injury to captain Bevan Tetai. Coman was one of the standout performers of the championship and deserved his Heartland selection. Props Beveridge, Logan Mundy and Stephen Crackett formed a strong front row with hooker Ilaisa Namua. Matt Parata was a promising loose forward while veteran Luke Brownlee retains his place, his commitment and high tackle count being an inspiration to the younger players.

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: B.F.Coman, A.P.Stephens

2012 Fixtures & Results

Sat 25 Aug	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Thames Valley	24 - 14	Match Center
Sat 01 Sep	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	North Otago	22 - 15	Match Center
Sat 08 Sep	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	East Coast	20 - 18	Match Center
Sat 15 Sep	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	King Country	31 - 19	Match Center
Sat 22 Sep	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	South Canterbury	32 - 45	Match Center
Sat 29 Sep	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Horowhenua Kapiti	34 - 16	Match Center
Sat 06 Oct	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Whanganui	39 - 12	Match Center
Sat 13 Oct	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship/Rundle Cup	West Coast	26 - 18	Match Center
Sat 20 Oct	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship/Lochore Cup Semi Final	Poverty Bay	42 - 22	Match Center
Sun 28 Oct	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship/Lochore Cup Final	South Canterbury	31 - 28	Match Center

2012 Buller REPRESENTATIVES

			Position	PL
	Andrew Craig Duncan		Scrumhalf	1
	Andrew Paul Stephens		Scrumhalf	10
	Andrew Wayne Norton-Taylor		Winger	9
	Apenisi Ratugoleavanua		Flanker	9
	Benjamin Francis 'Ben' Coman		Lock	10
	Bevan Patrick Te Tai		Flanker, Lock	8
	Craig Michael Moore		Lock, Prop	7
	David Roy Greig		Scrumhalf	6
	Isei Nagusu T. Lewaqai		Lock, No. 8	6
	James William Foster		Lock	10
	lliasa Leca Namua		Hooker	10
	Logan Matthew Mundy		Lock, Prop	10
	Luke George Brownlee		Flanker	10
	Marcos Marika Nariaria		Winger	1
	Martin 'Marty' Banks		First Five, Fullback	10
	Matt Parata		Flanker	7
	Penijamini Nabainivalu		Centre	10
	Phil Kinraid		Lock	1
	Philip.J.’Phil’ Beveridge		Hooker, Prop	10
	Phillip Roger Gibson		First Five	4
	Samuel Allan 'Sam' Marris		Winger	7
	Scott William Neighbours		Winger	7
	Stephen Murray Lowe		Lock	6
	Stephen Robert Crackett		Hooker, Prop	8
	Trael Jerard Joass		Centre	9
	Warwick James Knox		Hooker, Prop	9
	William Ross Saukuru		Centre, Fullback	10