We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby Union. We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series from the season’s 1934 through to 2019 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin – Information Sourced from the NZ Rugby Almanack 1958

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1957

(Founded, 1921; Affiliated, 1922)
Headquarters: Ruatoria.
COLOURS: SKY BLUE

Selectors: Messrs. C.P.Shea, D.McClutchie and R.Donald

A limited fixture list again this season provided little opportunity to the players, 27 of whom were needed in the four matches. Only four of these were newcomers, the most. likely of whom was side-ranker Grooby. Knox Karaka and Watson played in the North Island and New Zealand Trials, and provided impressive displays; Karaka made a name fur himself with hefty punting and some fine goal-kicking at Palmerston North, and with more opportunity could well improve. Watson was a likely looking centre. New arrivals included Whatarau from Counties, and ex- All Black Bagley, who had last appeared in 1954 for Poverty Bay. Of the others, 14 players had represented East Coast in 1956, W. and G.Walker, Kururangi and Edge in 1955, Takarangi in 1954, Moana in 1953 and Manuel in 1950. D.B.Green, the previous season’s winger, had transferred to Poverty Bay, from where he played in the New Zealand Trials. Whatarau played in New Zealand Maori team, and Karaka, Whatarau and George Walker represented Tai Rawhiti.

Players 1957

				Position	PL
0176		T.J. Takarangi		Fullback	1
0224		Karere ‘Babbie’ 'Babs' Henare		Loose Forward, Lock	3
0226		Barnard Manuel		Forward	1
0234		Kono Waihi		Winger	3
0244		Koro M. Dewes		Hooker, Prop	3
0250		Hemara ‘Bo' Kururangi		First Five, Winger	2
0255		Darling Moana		Forward, Fullback	3
0258		Tuta Wanui Taare		Scrumhalf	3
0264		Thomas Tamati		Lock	3
0266		Thomas Edge		Centre	2
0269		Walter Walker		Forward	2
0272		E.R.'Knox' Karaka		Centre, Fullback	3
0280		Albert Ngatai		Forward	1
0282		Bruce Allan Watson		Centre	1
0287		George Kiwa Walker		Lock, Prop	4
0298		Rangituatini 'Tene’ Henare		Prop	2
0301		Turei Forest Dale Mackey		First Five, Scrumhalf	4
0303		Sonny Brown		Prop	1
0305		Euan Trafford Hovell		Loose Forward	4
0307		Tamati Muturangi Reedy		Fullback, Winger	4
0308		David John Hooper		First Five, Fullback	1
0310		Keith Parker Bagley		Lock	1
0311		William.F de Malmanche		Forward	1
0312		James Wilkie		Hooker	1
0313		Graham John Grooby		Prop	3
0314		Peter Turei Karaka		First Five	1
0315		Edward Hone Whatarau		First Five, Fullback	2