Year By Year , Our History ~ 2015 ~
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
2015Season |
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Buller finished sixth in the round robin with a 50/50 record and then lost at home in the Lochore Cup semi-final to King Country; a disappointing finish after having defeated King Country in the round robin. If either of the one-point defeats to Wairarapa Bush or North Otago had been overcome then Buller would have finished fourth with a Meads Cup semi-final. The best Performance of the campaign was the Win at Horowhenua Kapiti where Buller completely dominated the first 60 minutes to lead 44-10.
In the backs Setefano Sauqaqa again was an elusive finisher to score nine tries, including a record-equaling four against Thames Valley. Scott Neighbours and Penijamini Nabainivalu both gave reliable performances every week. Loan player Hagen Schulte started in the 10 jersey, but a change was made after the fourth match with Jesse Elley brought forward. He challenged the opposition defence well. Andrew Stephens appeared in every match and took over the goal kicking with Elley’s shift. Last year’s record-breaking try scorer Iliesa Ravudra had shifted to Tasman but appeared in the final five matches on loan.
Luke Brownlee’s record run of consecutive matches ended when missing the opening match against King Country due to injury, while fellow flanker Blair Mcllroy never turned in a bad game and was unlucky to miss New Zealand Heartland selection. Lock Craig Moore had a standout season and fully deserved his New Zealand Heartland selection. Fellow lock Taione Ratu, a number eight last year, made a good impression in the role. The two props Phil Beveridge and Logan Mundy gave excellent service in every game, with Mundy finally scoring his first try for the province in his 79th match. Brad Hemopo was a valuable loan acquisition but injury restricted him to only half the games.
Thirty-one players were used, of which 13 were new, and John Noble and Stephen Crackett earned recalls after last appearing in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Missing from last year were James Lash (Tasman), Mike Lealava’a (Wellington) and Isei Lewaqai (West Coast).
On 8 August a Seddon Shield challenge to Nelson Bays sub-union was lost 6-36 in a non first-class fixture.
Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland: C.M.Moore
2015 Match Record: Played 9 ; Won 4 ; Lost 5
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Points : For 206; Against 207
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HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
Sat 22 Aug | 5:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship | King Country | 32 - 20 | Match Center |
Sat 29 Aug | 5:00 pm | A | Heartland Championship/Rundle Cup | West Coast | 21 - 7 | Match Center |
Sat 05 Sep | 5:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship | Wairarapa Bush | 13 - 14 | Match Center |
Sat 12 Sep | 5:00 pm | A | Heartland Championship | Whanganui | 35 - 09 | Match Center |
Sat 19 Sep | 5:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship | Poverty Bay | 36 - 14 | Match Center |
Sat 26 Sep | 5:00 pm | A | Heartland Championship | North Otago | 35 - 34 | Match Center |
Sat 03 Oct | 5:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship | Thames Valley | 25 - 17 | Match Center |
Sat 10 Oct | 5:00 pm | A | Heartland Championship | Horowhenua Kapiti | 31 - 44 | Match Center |
Sat 17 Oct | 5:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship/Lochore Cup Semi Final | King Country | 06 - 20 | Match Center |
2015 Buller REPRESENTATIVES
Position | PL | |||
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Andrew Paul Stephens | Scrumhalf | 9 | ||
Anthony W. Ellis | Hooker | 4 | ||
Axel Young | Flanker | 1 | ||
Blair Stewart McIlroy | Flanker | 8 | ||
Brad C.M. Hemopo | Flanker | 3 | ||
Craig Michael Moore | Lock, Prop | 8 | ||
Glen Anthony Duncan | Hooker, Prop | 8 | ||
Hagen L. Schulte | First Five | 4 | ||
Hemi W. Manawatu | Prop | 0 | ||
Iliesa Tora | Winger | 5 | ||
Inia V. Toa | Hooker | 3 | ||
Isaac L. McDonald | Flanker | 2 | ||
Jale Masi | No. 8 | 6 | ||
Jesse Morgan Elley | First Five, Fullback | 7 | ||
John Robert Noble | Centre | 6 | ||
Lance A.H. Gahan | Centre, Fullback | 3 | ||
Logan Matthew Mundy | Lock, Prop | 8 | ||
Luke George Brownlee | Flanker | 7 | ||
Marc L. Crackett | Prop | 2 | ||
Matthew D. James | Lock | 3 | ||
Mitieli Kaloudigibeci | Winger | 8 | ||
Paul Charles Clarkson | Flanker, Lock, Winger | 6 | ||
Penijamini Nabainivalu | Centre | 8 | ||
Philip.J.’Phil’ Beveridge | Hooker, Prop | 8 | ||
Scott William Neighbours | Winger | 6 | ||
Simon Abel | Flanker | 5 | ||
Stefano Tuidrodroa Sauqaqa | Centre | 8 | ||
Stephen Robert Crackett | Hooker, Prop | 4 | ||
Taione Ratu | Lock, No. 8 | 7 | ||
Thor H. Manawatu | Scrumhalf | 6 | ||
Tyler J. Price | Centre, Fullback | 1 |