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

Sat 18 May	2:30 pm	H	Representative	West Coast	34 - 23	Match Center
Sat 01 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	Marlborough	20 - 51	Match Center
Mon 03 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Seddon Shield	West Coast	00 - 20	Match Center
Sat 17 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Div3 - NPC	Horowhenua Kapiti	14 - 15	Match Center
Sat 24 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Div3 - NPC	Poverty Bay	19 - 24	Match Center
Sat 31 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Div3 - NPC	East Coast	36 - 18	Match Center
Sat 07 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Div3 - NPC	West Coast	03 - 18	Match Center
Sat 21 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Div3 - NPC	Whanganui	35 - 11	Match Center
Sat 28 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Div3 - NPC	North Otago	22 - 20	Match Center
Sat 05 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Div3 - NPC	Mid Canterbury	03 - 08	Match Center
Sat 12 Oct	2:30 pm	H	Div3 - NPC	Marlborough	15 - 22	Match Center
Sun 20 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Div3 - NPC - Semi Final	Whanganui	22 - 15	Match Center

THE 1996 SEASON: excerpt from Rugby Almanac 1997

Buller had their best season since the advent of the NPC, finishing in third place on the third division table and making the semi-finals for the first time. In losing by only seven points to ultimate champions Wanganui, Buller performed with great courage in the semi-final and the whole team had good reason to be proud of their performance.

Perhaps the main reason for Buller’s success was a consistent selection policy which enabled combinations to be established and engendered team spirit.

Buller tried to play attacking football at all times and some fine tries were scored. Craig Neill was an enterprising fullback who ran well in the backline and collected four tries. Matt Direen was a strong wing and there was some good work on both attack and defence by Nathan Peipi in midfield.