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

After last year’s winless Heartland Championship, Buller was an improved side this year, winning three games. These three wins came in the first four games after which Buller found itself in fourth position on the table. The thrilling win against neighbour West Coast was achieved in the final minute with a wondrous try where the ball was held for seven minutes through 43 phases and with 14 men on the field.

Unfortunately, the remaining four games were lost and Buller finished ninth to just miss out on a play-off place for the Lochore Cup when, in the last round, it lost to Wairarapa Bush and Horowhenua Kapiti leapfrogged past it with an upset win over Thames Valley. The defeat to King Country in the penultimate match proved particularly costly as Buller led with 20 minutes to go but could not score again.

With one of the smaller packs in the competition, the forwards struggled against some of the tougher opposition but at no stage did they ever give up. The front row of Tim Dallison, Anthony Ellis and Tapi Allen was a strong one with Allen having an encouraging debut season at tighthead prop. The pacy lock Isei Lewaqai had something of a vintage season that belied his 37 years. He proved a good ball-winner in the lineout and scored five tries. His runs carrying the ball one-handed were a feature of his play.

In the loose forwards, Greg Foe arrived from playing in Sydney and was a good asset, but injury interrupted his season. George Methven had a standout game against Thames Valley and Jamie Tinetti and Kyle Te Tai were always busy flankers.

Brett Cutbush was another debutant to make his mark, finishing the season as first choice halfback. Loan player Jack Parker directed the team well at first-five until he suffered an injury in the penultimate game. Buller had an able replacement in James Lash, who stepped up from his Buller assistant coach role, to continue on from where he left off in 2019.

The wingers, Mitieli Kaloudigibeci and Iliesa Tora were both in good form, and Tora is now within sight of breaking the Buller try-scoring record, having scored 41 for the province. The standout player was centre Michael Stringer who took the player-of-the-year award in his debut season. He provided a cutting edge on attack with pace and ability to beat a man, and was strong defensively. He scored a superb 80-metre individual try against Poverty Bay.

Joel Everson had previously represented Canterbury and Southland, Ehipa Thompson had represented Counties Manukau in 2011 and Greg Foe had previously played for Wellington. Buller narrowly missed out on securing the Seddon Shield, going down 24-28 to holder Marlborough sub union at Renwick on July 31.

The match had been set down for Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, but because of rain all week the venue was waterlogged and transferred to Renwick Rugby Club’s ground on the day of the game

Results

Sun 31 Jul	1:00 pm	A	Seddon Shield	Marlborough	28 - 24	Match Center
Sat 06 Aug	12:30 pm	A	Pre-Season	Nelson Bays	26 - 00	Match Center
Sat 20 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Mid Canterbury	34 - 29	Match Center
Sat 27 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	North Otago	71 - 10	Match Center
Sat 03 Sep	12:05 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Poverty Bay	48 - 20	Match Center
Sat 10 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	West Coast	32 - 36	Match Center
Sat 17 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Thames Valley	12 - 52	Match Center
Sat 24 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Whanganui	83 - 07	Match Center
Sat 01 Oct	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	King Country	30 - 44	Match Center
Sat 08 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Wairarapa Bush	55 - 39	Match Center

THE 2022 SEASON :