Year By Year , Our History ~ 2006 ~

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

This small, remote union of only four clubs continues to have difficulty putting together a representative squad and in past years has been assisted with players from Canterbury and Wellington but with the formation of Tasman union several quality players became available in Nelson. Former Nelson Bays captain Gavin Briggs provided valuable experience as did Rudolph Meredith. Craig Moore is a young lock with much promise and Fijian Carlos Gavidi an excellent number eight. James Foote directed the backline well and proved an accurate goalkicker and formed a sound inside back partnership with fellow Nelson player Nick Makea. Buller also obtained the services of Fabian Abella, a Frenchman playing his club season with Marist in Christchurch.

While the imported loan players added weight and skills to the team the heart of the side, as always, was in the few home players who have been loyal to the union for many years. Flanker Luke Brownlee has played in every Buller game since his debut in 1999, prop and captain Clark Nelson last missed a game in 2000 — two grand stalwarts of Heartland rugby. Likewise, Michael Mumm and Stu Neighbours continue the tradition of their family names which has made a huge contribution to Buller rugby over many generations.

In winning three games Buller went through to the semi-final for the Lochore Cup. The best performance of the season was the loss to North Otago during which Buller registered its highest score, The team’s strength was its scrum and mauling with props Nelson and Briggs and hooker Ryan Hughes setting a solid frontrow. Hughes continues to improve and enjoyed his best season and was the team’s player of the year. Other local players Stephen Martin at lock, and loose forwards Paul Clarkson, Phil Rossiter and Scott Rosanowski made useful contributions.

At fullback Matthew Bonisch, aged 20 but already with three rep seasons behind him, has grown in confidence and developing into a sound player and keen for attacking opportunities. Bevan Thomson showed much promise as a threequarter. Meredith missed part of the season when away in France briefly. Ross Gardner and Sam Marris were two local players to gain regular game time.

2006 Buller REPRESENTATIVES

	Name		Position	PL
	A. Rudolf Meredith		Centre	4
	Bevan Eric Stanley Thomson		Centre	9
	Carlos Gavidi		No. 8	9
	Clark Raymond Nelson		Prop	9
	Craig David Russell		Lock	4
	Craig Michael Moore		Lock, Prop	9
	Fabien Abella		Centre, Scrumhalf	6
	Gavin Dwain Briggs		Hooker	8
	Glen William McGuire		First Five, Fullback	2
	Greg Wayne Stechman		Flanker	3
	James Foote		First Five	7
	Jourdan Brent Cross		Centre	1
	Luke George Brownlee		Flanker	9
	Luke Gerald McKessar		Centre	2
	Mark W. Diskin		Hooker	1
	Matthew Brian McGuire		Hooker	2
	Matthew Paul Bonisch		Fullback	9
	Michael Peter Mumm		Centre	8
	Michael W.P. O’Brien		Prop	5
	Nicholas Jeremy Makea		Scrumhalf	8
	Paul Charles Clarkson		Flanker, Lock, Winger	4
	Penalty Try			1
	Philip John Rossiter		Flanker	5
	Richard James Anderson		Lock	4
	Ross Albert Gardner		Winger	8
	Ryan John Hughes		Hooker	9
	Samuel Allan 'Sam' Marris		Winger	6
	Scott Rosanowski		Flanker	8
	Stephen John Martin		Lock	8
	Stuart Alan Neighbours		Winger	7