Year By Year , Our History ~ 2016 ~

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

For the second time in three seasons Buller went all the Way to the Meads Cup final, losing to favourites Wanganui 18-20 in a match for which Buller really rose to the occasion. With an ounce of luck, extra time could have been forced but two penalty kicks went astray in the final five minutes.

From the 2015 squad, missing were Jale Masi (Canterbury), Taione Ratu (South Canterbury), Mitieli Kaloudigibeci (injured) and Paul Clarkson (unavailable). Thirty-one players took the field with 12 doing so for the first time, although James So’oialo had previously represented Wellington and Samoa.

The big and fast backline was always a constant threat to the opposition and responsible for 29 of the 36 tries scored. Anthony Tailua had a notable debut season. Having started the year playing rugby league in Christchurch, his attacking prowess from fullback brought him eight tries. His shift from wing to fullback only came about when James So’oialo suffered injury in the opening match. Wing Setafano Sauqaqa again was a good finisher, running in seven tries. James Lash returned for 2016 and continued on from his standout 2014 performances. The classy first five-eighth was the top points scorer in the Heartland Championship and joint top try scorer for the union. Andrew Stephens remains one of the better halfbacks in the Heartland Championship. Newcomer Joshua Tuidriva appeared in the midfield in all 10 matches.

At number eight, Daniel Hytongue was the standout forward, turning in a number of noteworthy performances. Luke Brownlee set a new appearance record for Buller, removing Thomas Stuart’s name from the record books. From his debut in 1999 he has made 161 first-class appearances and, incredibly, only missed three matches. Loan player Blair Mcllroy was again useful at blindside flanker, being very good defensively. Ciaran Neilsen showed some promise in his debut season at lock, while hooker Anthony Ellis, in his first full season, displayed good improvement on last year. At the age of 42 prop Phil Beveridge was the oldest player in the Heartland Championship and announced his retirement after the Meads Cup final, having debuted in 1993.

On 6 August, a Seddon Shield challenge to Nelson Bays was lost 16-19 when conceding a converted try three minutes from the end, in a non-first-class match.

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: D.W.L.Hytongue, J.J.Lash

HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 2016

Sat 27 Aug	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	South Canterbury	28 - 26	Match Center
Sat 03 Sep	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Mid Canterbury	34 - 32	Match Center
Sat 10 Sep	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Poverty Bay	18 - 30	Match Center
Sat 17 Sep	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship/Rundle Cup	West Coast	48 - 0	Match Center
Sat 24 Sep	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	East Coast	54 - 22	Match Center
Sat 01 Oct	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Wairarapa Bush	24 - 26	Match Center
Sat 08 Oct	5:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Whanganui	00 - 28	Match Center
Sat 15 Oct	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	King Country	38 - 40	Match Center
Sat 22 Oct	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship/Meads Cup Semi Final	South Canterbury	06 - 16	Match Center
Sat 29 Oct	5:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship/Meads Cup Final	Whanganui	20 - 18	Match Center

2016 Buller REPRESENTATIVES

			Position	PL
	Andrew Paul Stephens		Scrumhalf	10
	Anthony Tailua		Fullback, Winger	9
	Anthony W. Ellis		Hooker	9
	Blair Stewart McIlroy		Flanker	9
	Callum Lennon		Scrumhalf	1
	Ciaran Neilsen		Lock	8
	Craig Michael Moore		Lock, Prop	1
	Daniel Hytongue		No. 8	9
	David Eglestaff		Lock	9
	Glen Anthony Duncan		Hooker, Prop	4
	Hemi W. Manawatu		Prop	3
	Isaac Hogarth		Centre	4
	James Jeffery Lash		First Five	9
	James S. So'oialo		First Five, Fullback, Winger	1
	Jareth J.J.I. McKay		Hooker/Prop	0
	Joshua T. Tuidriva		Centre, Winger	9
	Kahutia Parata		Flanker, Lock	1
	Lochie C. Elley		Prop	3
	Logan Matthew Mundy		Lock, Prop	8
	Luke George Brownlee		Flanker	7
	Luke W. Watson		Lock	8
	Matthew Paul Bonisch		Fullback	6
	Penijamini Nabainivalu		Centre	7
	Petaia T. Saukuru		Centre, Winger	8
	Philip.J.’Phil’ Beveridge		Hooker, Prop	8
	Scott William Neighbours		Winger	3
	Shane David Grieve		Flanker, Lock	1
	Simon Abel		Flanker	6
	Stefano Tuidrodroa Sauqaqa		Centre	9
	Stephen Robert Crackett		Hooker, Prop	4
	Thor H. Manawatu		Scrumhalf	3