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 1962
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1961
(Founded, 1921; Affiliated, 1922)
Headquarters: Ruatoria.
COLOURS: SKY BLUE
Selectors: Messrs. H.Potai, Wm.Rickard and David McClutchie.
East Coast gained only one success, a victory over Poverty Bay at their second meeting, but a draw in two other matches improved the record somewhat. Nevertheless, it was a disappointing season.
Generally the players were kept together very well, 14 appearing in at least five matches, but a total of 28 players were required for the eight matches. Of these, eleven were making their debut, 13 had represented the previous season, Hovell and Hiha in 1958 whilst Mackey had represented Poverty Bay in 1960, and Ashton, Bush in 1958.
The side was captained by Karere Henare, who played solidly as lock. Hiha was his partner, with Ngatai on one side, A.D.Reedy at No.8, and with the front-row comprising R.Henare, a newcomer, Murphy, as hooker, and Ashton, The back line was experienced and capable, but did not impress on attack, being too inclined to individualism. The best were Watson (centre), Hooper (second five-eighth), and T.M.Reedy (winger).
T.M.Reedy represented Tai Rawhiti in the Prince of Wales Cup match.
1961 Results
| Thu 14 Sep | 14:30 | Representative | NPEC v Hawkes Bay | 11 - 24 | Match Center |
| Sat 12 Aug | 14:30 | Representative | NPEC v Auckland XV | 00 - 15 | Match Center |
| Wed 12 Jul | 14:30 | Representative | Counties Manukau v NPEC | 03 - 03 | Match Center |
| Sat 08 Jul | 14:30 | Representative | North Auckland v NPEC | 25 - 08 | Match Center |
| Wed 05 Jul | 14:30 | Representative | King Country v NPEC | 20 - 11 | Match Center |
| Sat 01 Jul | 14:30 | Representative | Bay of Plenty v NPEC | 06 - 06 | Match Center |
| Sat 24 Jun | 14:30 | Representative | NPEC v Poverty Bay | 08 - 03 | Match Center |
| Mon 05 Jun | 14:30 | Representative | Poverty Bay v NPEC | 10 - 05 | Match Center |
Players 1961
| Position | PL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0224 |
|
Karere ‘Babbie’ 'Babs' Henare |
|
Loose Forward, Lock | 8 |
| 0256 |
|
H.M. 'John' Paea |
|
Flanker, Lock | 1 |
| 0258 |
|
Tuta Wanui Taare |
|
Scrumhalf | 6 |
| 0272 |
|
E.R.'Knox' Karaka |
|
Centre, Fullback | 2 |
| 0276 |
|
Thomas Shelford |
|
Prop | 2 |
| 0277 |
|
Busby Brown |
|
Scrumhalf | 1 |
| 0282 |
|
Bruce Allan Watson |
|
Centre | 8 |
| 0298 |
|
Rangituatini 'Tene’ Henare |
|
Prop | 6 |
| 0301 |
|
Turei Forest Dale Mackey |
|
First Five, Scrumhalf | 6 |
| 0305 |
|
Euan Trafford Hovell |
|
Loose Forward | 3 |
| 0307 |
|
Tamati Muturangi Reedy |
|
Fullback, Winger | 8 |
| 0308 |
|
David John Hooper |
|
Fullback, First Five | 7 |
| 0318 |
|
Ruruarau Heitia Hiha |
|
Lock | 6 |
| 0326 |
|
Alex D. Reedy |
|
Loose Forward | 8 |
| 0327 |
|
Walter C. Ackroyd |
|
Winger | 6 |
| 0328 |
|
T.W. Ngatai |
|
Flanker | 6 |
| 0333 |
|
Roger John Lougher |
|
Fullback | 5 |
| 0334 |
|
P.D. Ashton |
|
Prop | 8 |
| 0335 |
|
H.H. Fairlie |
|
First Five | 2 |
| 0336 |
|
John Lima Manuel |
|
Loose Forward, Lock | 2 |
| 0337 |
|
Terence E.R. Murphy |
|
Hooker | 6 (1) |
| 0338 |
|
B.J. Te Puni |
|
Forward | 1 |
| 0339 |
|
R.T. Maxwell |
|
Forward | 4 (1) |
| 0340 |
|
Rangi Henderson |
|
Hooker | 4 |
| 0341 |
|
Tuteira ‘Blackie' Pohatu |
|
Hooker | 1 |
| 0342 |
|
Nehe Collier |
|
Winger | 2 |
| 0343 |
|
Peter A. Karauria |
|
Utility Back | 2 |
| 0344 |
|
Poreno Houia |
|
Scrumhalf | 1 |
