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 1960

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1959

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

Selectors: Messrs. C.Calder, D.McClutchie and W.Rickard

Maintaining the excellent form displayed during the previous seasons, East Coast was again a well-equipped side. Once more Poverty Bay was defeated in both matches, a fact that caused the suggestion to be made, for what it is worth, that the next match by the combined Unions against a visiting side should be at Ruatoria instead of at Gisborne. As it happened the XV that gave British Isles such a hectic and exciting contest at Gisborne contained nine East Coasters, five backs – K.E.R.Karaka, T.M.Reedy, Watson, Hooper and Taare, and four forwards – J.L.Karaka, Paea, Tamati and Rickard. Reedy’s two tries in this match, and the manner of his scoring them should have won him further attention. Watson, too, was splendid at centre – he has now retired, and K.E.R.Karaka, when in form, a grand fullback. In the forwards, the main attribute was the ability to play together as a pack. J.L.Karaka was again a very fast loose forward and a grand tackler; K.Henare at No.8 was captain; Paea and Tamati, a weighty pair of locks; Rickard was on one side, with R.Henare and Shelford the props, and Kokiri the hooker.

Of the 25 players who represented, only four were newcomers. Seventeen of the others had played for East Coast the previous season. P.T.Karaka and K.Henare had last represented in 1957, Manuel in 1956, and Green in 1955.

K.E.R. and J.L.Karaka, T.M.Reedy and Kururangi played in the regional Trial at Napier, but none were given a further Trial. J.L.Karaka represented New Zealand Maoris, with T.M.Reed, Tamati and Paea, also playing in the Trials at Rotorua.

Players 1959

				Position	PL
0221		Walter Materite Peachey		Prop	2
0224		Karere ‘Babbie’ 'Babs' Henare		Loose Forward, Lock	5
0250		Hemara ‘Bo' Kururangi		First Five, Winger	6
0256		H.M. 'John' Paea		Flanker, Lock	5
0258		Tuta Wanui Taare		Scrumhalf	3
0264		Thomas Tamati		Lock	7
0265		Reweti Te R. Green		Winger	4 (1)
0272		E.R.'Knox' Karaka		Centre, Fullback	7
0276		Thomas Shelford		Prop	7
0282		Bruce Allan Watson		Centre	5
0292		John Jacob Moeke		Centre	2
0298		Rangituatini 'Tene’ Henare		Prop	6
0302		Joseph Manuel		First Five	1 (1)
0307		Tamati Muturangi Reedy		Fullback, Winger	7
0308		David John Hooper		First Five, Fullback	7
0314		Peter Turei Karaka		First Five	1
0317		J.L. Karaka		Flanker	6
0319		Mauheru Kokiri		Hooker	6
0320		Victor Claude Rickard		Loose Forward	7
0321		Mokena Pahoe Awarau		Scrumhalf	5
0322		John Maxwell		No.8	3
0323		Martin Haua		Winger	1
0324		George Pomana Hauraki		Centre	3 (1)
0325		Waiheke P.M. Kaika		Hooker	1
0326		Alex D. Reedy		Loose Forward	1