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 1968

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1967

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

Selectors: Messrs. Moeraki Reedy, R.Donald and Ed. Baker.

When Bush was defeated it was East Coast’s first success in 28 successive matches, and a further victory, over New South Wales Country, made it East Coast’s best season for a long while. Apart from the actual results, however, the football produced was also the best many years, the forwards especially playing with drive and purpose, quick to break up opposing attacks. The inside back combination of Taare, Robertson or McClutchie, and Grayson was also alive tor attacking opportunities, whilst Haua was a strong-running winger and Gilvray a competent full-back, as was Henson who later replaced him. A new young player from King’s College, Auckland, in Horsley has the makings of a good centre. Moved to the wing, Cross appears to have found his best position.

The arrival of the Taranaki veteran, MacDonald, gave the forwards a fine leader, well supported by former captain and fellow prop, Stewart. Colbert and Manuel were solid hard-working locks, with the loose trio of Penetito. No.8, and side-rankers Wi Repa and Nepe, quick and effective. The pack was held together, and later a new side-row forward, Tamepo, had a lot of success. Chambers, a hooker, who took Walker‘s place in the later matches, last represented in 1963. McCarthy had played for both Poverty Bay and Wanganui.

A total of 29 players represented in the nine matches, of whom ten were in their first year. Penetito had last appeared in 1965. Lewis had played for Poverty Bay in 1966, and also earlier in the current season. Of the previous year’s players, H.H.Henare had moved to King Country.

Players 1967

				Position	PL
0258		Tuta Wanui Taare		Scrumhalf	9
0323		Martin Haua		Winger	8
0336		John Lima Manuel		Loose Forward, Lock	8
0364		Daniel Ruha		First Five	1
0365		Te Whakamara 'Mara' Chambers		Hooker	2
0369		John Thomas Grayson		Centre	9
0375		David H. Walker		Hooker, Prop	6
0376		Dr.Tutere ’Doc’ Wi Repa		Flanker	8
0381		A.J. 'Arthur' Cross		Centre	7
0382		Kenneth Cambrig Gilvray		Utility Back	5
0383		Robert ‘Bob’ Penetito		Loose Forward	9
0388		Puni Nepe		Flanker	3
0390		Taina Mate ‘Charlie’ Keelan		Winger	1 (1)
0393		Hamish R. ‘Bill’ Stewart		Prop	9
0395		Parekura ‘Paddy' McClutchie		First Five	4
0396		Barry Stuart Colbert		Hooker, Prop	8
0396		Barrie Stuart Colbert		Hooker, Prop	0
0398		Amster Reedy		First Five	2
0401		Campbell R.W. Horsley		Centre	6
0402		Denis Mills Robertson		First Five	6
0403		William Jury Reedy		First Five, Fullback, Winger	1
0404		Ian Hugh MacDonald		Hooker	8
0405		Thomas Poi		Forward	4
0406		Norman Tamepo		Flanker	4
0407		Alan Ruatapanui Lewis		Centre	1
0408		John King		Hooker, Prop	1
0409		Laurence Edwin 'Laurie' Rau		Prop	1
0410		Brian Ihakara McCarthy		Hooker	3 (3)
0411		Arthur Waititi		Forward	2 (1)
0412		T.N. ‘Nick' Henson		Fullback	4