Year By Year , Our History ~ 2007 ~

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 enjoyed one of its better seasons and only narrowly missed the semi-finals for the Meads Cup. An upset win over Wanganui was followed by excellent performances away at Ruatoria and Gisborne then victory at home over South Canterbury. Four wins in succession boosted interest in Westport and larger than usual crowds at Victoria Square was the result. Prior to the championship season Buller played two non-first-class fixtures, losing to Nelson Bays 45-17 at Motueka then defeating Canterbury Maori 20-7 at Reefton.

The team’s strength was its forward pack.The experienced frontrow of captain Clark Nelson, Glen Atkin and Gavin Briggs was never bettered. Craig Moore and Bradley Walters won their share of lineout ball, but it was the loose trio of Phil Rossiter, Luke Brownlee and Josaia Yalayala which was so effective in general play. Rossiter was the team’s most outstanding individual, a thinker and great worker. Yalayala impressed with his high work-rate and was involved in many try scoring moves, a player who could gain higher honours.

Behind the forwards Andrew Stephens and Nathan Thompson excelled, an effective combination on attack and strong defenders. The experienced Michael Mumm was in good form at second five-eighth and his loss, through injury, in the South Canterbury game was sorely felt, the backs not being as effective without him. Canterbury loan player Marcus Taylor scored four tries in the demolition of East Coast. Neither of the wings, Stu Neighbours and Paul Clarkson, registered a try but Neighbours proved a match winner with his goal-kicking. Fullback Matthew Bonisch continues to develop as a reliable player and keen to attack.

Buller is fortunate to have a good relationship with Tasman union where Todd Blackadder was generous in supplying quality players to their smaller neighbour. Yalayalu could have been playing for the Tasman B team and Briggs was a popular squad member, his experience and encouragement being a major factor in the team’s success, a grand motivator who provided much inspiration.

2007 Buller REPRESENTATIVES

	Name		Position	PL
	Andrew John Mumm		Scrumhalf	2
	Andrew Paul Stephens		Scrumhalf	8
	Bradley John Walters		Lock	8
	Clark Raymond Nelson		Prop	8
	Craig Michael Moore		Lock, Prop	8
	Gavin Dwain Briggs		Hooker	7
	Gene Simmiss		Flanker, No. 8	5
	Glen Michael Atkin		Hooker	8
	Josaia Nasalo Yalayala		No. 8	8
	Jourdan Brent Cross		Centre	2
	Luke George Brownlee		Flanker	8
	Luke Gerald McKessar		Centre	1
	Marcus James Taylor		Centre	8
	Matthew Paul Bonisch		Fullback	8
	Michael Peter Mumm		Centre	5
	Nathan James Thompson		First Five	8
	Nathan Tahu Rakena		Centre	5
	Paul Charles Clarkson		Flanker, Lock, Winger	8
	Philip J. 'Phil' Beveridge		Hooker, Prop	5
	Philip John Rossiter		Flanker	8
	Ross Albert Gardner		Winger	2
	Ryan John Hughes		Hooker	7
	Samuel Allan 'Sam' Marris		Winger	3
	Stuart Alan Neighbours		Winger	7
	Verran Leslie Robertson		Lock	6