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 finished second last in the Heartland Championship without a win in their eight games.

Their best performances were in their final two matches when they led West Coast 11-7 at halftime and were only 3-8 down at halftime against Mid Canterbury. Two problems that persisted throughout the season were turnovers conceded and missed tackles.

The forward pack did sterling work securing enough ball for the backs, including against the two eventual finalists South Canterbury and Thames Valley, with strong set pieces in the scrum and lineout.

Captain and hooker Anthony Ellis was always prominent and played his 50th match in the last game, and with props Jacob Wetere, Tuala Tauasosi and Tim Dallison formed an effective front row in the scrums and with ball carrying in general play. Phil Beveridge, who last appeared in 2017, came back for one match on account of injuries.

Locks Caleb Havili, Jeff Lepa, Sam Godwin and Isei Lewaqai were proven ball winners in the lineout and with a high workrate around the field. Samoan international Lepa unfortunately suffered injury in the second match which ruled him out for the rest of the season, while Lewaqai also filled in at blindside flanker.

The loose forwards Petrus “Gabba” De Kock, Kahu Parata and Kyle Te Tai were of great value together, being never far from the ball.

There were some talented backs out wide but the backline overall was less effective than it could have been. The wings Mitieli Kaloudigibeci and Iliesa Tora started to receive more ball as the season went along and the loss to injury of the attacking fullback Alex Paterson for the season, after the Thames Valley match, was a blow.

Logan Heath shored up the midfield with his strong defence and Erenimo Tau arrived midseason to add more attacking thrust. The backline functionality seemed to be better when Andrew Norton-Taylor, who last appeared in 2012, was moved into first five-eighth. The two halfbacks Thor Manawatu and Jack Ferguson appeared to be on a rotation policy.

Results

Sat 31 Jul	2:00 pm	H	Pre-Season	Tasman Development XV	07 - 47	Match Center
Sat 07 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Pre-Season	North Canterbury	07 - 41	Match Center
Sat 18 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	South Canterbury	13 - 48	Match Center
Sat 25 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Poverty Bay	76 - 14	Match Center
Sat 02 Oct	2:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Thames Valley	30 - 15	Match Center
Sat 09 Oct	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Horowhenua Kapiti	12 - 27	Match Center
Sat 16 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	East Coast	50 - 26	Match Center
Sat 23 Oct	1:00 pm	H	Heartland Championship	North Otago	29 - 45	Match Center
Sat 30 Oct	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship/Rundle Cup	West Coast	14 - 22	Match Center
Sat 06 Nov	2:00 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Mid Canterbury	22 - 03	Match Center

THE 2021 SEASON :