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

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Results

Mon 06 Jun	2:30 pm	A	Representative Match	Nelson	03 - 03	Match Center
Sat 25 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Rundle Cup	West Coast	14 - 03	Match Center
Sat 16 Jul	2:30 pm	A	Rundle Cup	West Coast	05 - 06	Match Center
Sat 23 Jul	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Golden Bay-Motueka	25 - 00	Match Center
Sat 30 Jul	2:30 pm	A	Ranfurly Shield	Otago	06 - 06	Match Center
Sat 06 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	West Coast	09 - 09	Match Center
Sat 20 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Nelson	12 - 06	Match Center
Sat 27 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Representative Match	North Otago	16 - 06	Match Center
Sat 03 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Marlborough	12 - 03	Match Center
Wed 14 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Representative Match	Wellington XV	24 - 11	Match Center
Sat 17 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Representative Match	Canterbury	13 - 03	Match Center

THE 1949 SEASON:
Despite the fact that New Zealand had a team of thirty players in South Africa, two Tests were played here against Australia, the Australians visiting for a twelve-match tour. Included in the itinerary was a game at Greymouth, with West Coast-Buller in opposition, Buller having ten representatives in the XV — George Anderson (Milleton Rangers), W M. Cunnliffe (Millerton Rangers), Robt. Dickson (Ngakawau). William Dickson (Ngakawau), W. J. Mumm jnr (Ngakawau). D. S. Neighbours (Waimangaroa United), F. J. Neighbours (Waimangaroa United), M. J. Ryan (Westport White Star), George Smallholme (Granity Rover) and Oliver Smallholme (Granity Rover).

W. J. Mumm, jnr won New Zealand selection, appearing in the 1st Test against Australia; he was selected to play in the 2nd Test also, but could not accept owing to injury. “Bill” Mumm was Buller’s seventh All Black, and, incidentally, the last from the Union to wear the Silver Fern. Prior to taking part in the Test he had been in the a New Zealand XV against Horowhenua, at Levin, and at the end of the year made his fourth appearance in the Inter-Island match, again as a South Island prop.

The Union maintained its excellent record of the previous season by losing only one of eleven fixtures; three games were drawn, one in the Ranfurly Shield challenge with Otago, at Dunedin, when two tries were scored to the holder’s one, and another in the defence of the Seddon Shield against West Coast. In the latter engagement both sides scored one try and two penalty goals.

The eleven matches were:

v Nelson At Nelson Drew 3 to 3
v West Coast At Westport Won 14 to 3
v West Coast At Hokitika Won 6 to 5
v Golden Bay-Motueka At Westport Won 25 to 0 {Seddon Shield}
v Otago At Dunedin Drew 6 to 6 {Ranfurly Shield}
v West Coast At Westport Drew 9 to 9 {Seddon Shield}
v Nelson At Westport Won 12 to 6
v Marlborough At Westport Won 12 to 3
v North Otago At Westport Won 16 to 6
v Wellington XV At Westport Won 16 to 6
v Canterbury At Christchurch Lost 3 to 13

The XV to draw the Ranfurlly Shield challenge was:
F. J. Neighbours (Waimangaroa United) ; R. P. Hawes (Westport White Star) ; T. M. Hansby (Westport White Star) ; A. Cummings (Granity Rover) ; Oliver Smallholme (Capt) (Granity Rover) ; William Dickson (Ngakawau) ; George Smallholme (Granity Rover) ; J. G. Stuart (Westport White Star) ; George Anderson (Millerton Rangers) ; Max J. Ryan (Westport White Star) ; D. S. Neighbours (Waimangaroa United) ; W. M. Cunnliffe (Millerton Rangers) ; Robert Dickson (Westport) ; J. C. Beveridge (Granity Rover) ; W. J. Mumm jnr (Ngakawau)