I'm a Hawkeye Guy
There's Something About a Magpie
CHALLENGE 16: MANAWATU
McLean Park, Napier. Saturday, August 2nd, 1969
HAWKES BAY 22, MANAWATU 6 (Half-time: 3-3)
For Hawke’s Bay: I. R. MacRae, M. G. Duncan, K. R. Tremain, W. L. Davis (tries); P. R. Carney (2 conversions, penalty goal); J. P. Dougan (dropped goal).
For Manawatu: J. G. Francis (2 penalty goals).
Hawke’s Bay: P. R. Carney; W. L. Davis, I. R. MacRae, M. G. Duncan; J. P. Dougan, B. D. M. Furlong; H. J. Paewai; G. A. Condon; J. P. Rumball, K. K. Crawford, R. S. Abel, K. R. Tremain (captain); N. W. Thimbleby, A. Meech, H. Meech.
Manawatu: Jim Francis (Massey); Roger Twentyman (Masterton); Tony Loveridge (Massey); Mick O’Callaghan (Massey); Don Kitchen (Fielding); Gerald Tuarau (PNHSOB); Brian Cuff (PNHSOB); Alan Cornelius (captain/PNHSOB); Ron de Cleene (Massey); Sam Strahan (Oroua); Francis Thompson (Oroua); David Bydder (Massey); Doug Knight (Oroua); Warwick Grieve (Massey) replaced by Phil Murphy; Alex O’Connell (PNHSOB) replaced by Don Kerr (Massey)
Referee: Mr A. R. Taylor (Canterbury). Crowd: 17,986. Net profit to HBRFU; $5,413.53.
Alan Cornelius, Ron de Cleene, Don Kitchen, Doug Knight, Mick O'Callaghan, Sam Strahan and Frank Thompson were back for Manawatu in 1969, for the 16th defence of the tenure. All listed took part in Challenge One, way back in July, 1967. That had been a tough first up defence, where a nervous Hawkes Bay outfit struggled to overcome their southern boundary counterparts.
The Magpie machine was well oiled by the time the 1969 campaign began and the Manawatu were not given much of a realistic chance of lifting the log. Front row veterans, Kevin Nesdale and Brian Kitchen, had both retired after lengthy provincial careers at the end of 1968 and the energetic and intelligent loosie, John 'Tote' Rumball, had made his way to Magpie country.
Following an impressive 27-3 win over Wanganui (for the Bruce Steel Cup), the Manawatu suffered a 6-25 thrashing in Palmerston North against Wellington and a 17-18 loss to lowly Thames Valley, also at home. The latter, particularly, had left most aficionado's of the sport in the Central North Island of the opinion that the Bay would have them for breakfast.
Successfully defending the Bruce Steel Cup, the Pegasus boys put Horowhenua away by 24-0, a fortnight out from their shield challenge. Making only his fourth appearance for Manawatu, winger Roger Twentyman from the Freyberg OB club, rannounced his arrival by running in three tries. The Lan Valuer from Palmerston North had played four matches for Southland in 1968, until a knee injury kept prematurely ended his season.
Two changes we made in the Hawke’s Bay team to defend the trophy against Manawatu. Paul Carney played his first full shield match (he had come as a reserve against Auckland at the end of ’68 to kick the shield-holding goal), replacing the injured Ian Bishop.
The other was the return of Ian MacRae, injured for the first match, at centre, with Bill Davis moving out to the wing to take Dennis Smith’s place.
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Once again, the weather was fine and it was hoped this would allow some running rugby. But a strong wind swept down the field and Kel Tremain decided to give the challengers the advantage of it in the first half.
Carney had a frightening start to the match, when he fluffed his first attempt at goal from a penalty and then missed a “sitter” from in front of the posts. His opposite, Jim Francis, opened the scoring with a penalty goal and it was not until six minutes before half-time that Hawke’s Bay’s first points were scored.
Kel Tremain flashed through at the front of a line-out near the Manawatu goal-line for 'a honey' of a try. Carney missed the conversion and the two sides went to the break locked at three apiece. The try was in the classic Tremain tradition. The speed with which he moved from the middle of the line-out, took the pass, and crashed into the corner, bewildered Manawatu players and spectators alike.
The holders did not make the same mistake and for most of the second half, the Magpies were camped down inside the Manawatu 25.
The challengers defended extremely well and that it was not until the 16th minute of the second half that John Dougan was able to add more points, with a dropped goal.
The final 20 minutes however, the Bay applied some real pressure and Manawatu were left wide open. First Ian MacRae scored, after a long kick through by Carney, then Mick Duncan took a pass on the short side from Hepa Paewai and went over for his ... of the shield tenure. Carney converted both tries, the second from a wide angle.
Paul Carney and Jim Francis then exchanged penalty goals, the Bay were out to 19-6.
The final points came in the last minute, when Bill Davis set out for the line from outside the Manawatu 25 yard line. He dived magnificently over for a fine try to end the match on a high note.
Another newcomer was Massey fullback, Jim Francis. Francis was a second five-eighth for the Hastings Sub-union representatives the previous season, but had successfully converted to full-back since his introduction in the Wanganui game on May 24th.
The former Havelock North player, earned himself an Under-23 trial following his performances, averaging 9.5 points a game leading into the shield challenge. The 20 year old was proving a fast and enterprising player, eager to link up on attack and a most successful goal kicker.
Jim Francis of the Massey University club, would amass 113 of Manawatu's total hall of 239 points in 1969.
Francis' club mate, centre, Tony Loveridge (another 20 year old), had worked his up through the provinces junior grades and was brought into the side for the Thames Valley match, scoring a try in the defeat. Although he was a strong running centre himself, marking Ian MacRae with only two representative matches until his belt was a tough ask.though.
In fact, the Hawkes Bay backline were likely to have too much spice for their opposites and as the match developed, this became more obvious. Draughtsman, Gerald Tuarau, at first five-eighth, had only debuted in the Horowhenua match and - although he was declared 'a find' - solid, with good handling skills, he was up against the experienced Blair Furlong, the architect of McLean Park.
Tuarau's clubmate at scrumhalf, Brian Cuff, stood but 5' 5", but was big hearted and had played over 30 matches since his debut in 1967.
Pack retirements had hurt the Manawatu side also, but there were some bright new stars emerging. The leading light here was David Bydder. The Fielding farmer had impressed for NZ Universities against Japan in 1968, but had switched from the University club to Fielding during the off season. Equally at home as a lock or a loosie, Bydder was tall and rangy, rated a most promising prospect.
Warwick Grieve of Massey University, a back for the Hastings Sub-union representative in 1968, was now a specialist hooker. Grieve was a renowned quick striker, who broke even with former All Black Terry McCashin in the tight head count during the encounter with Horowhenua. Prop, Alex O'Connell, was a 23 year old Policeman from the Palmerston North Tech Old Boys club. He had played 26 matches for Wanganui before transferring to Manawatu at the start of the 1969 season.
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Hawkes Bay captain, Kel Tremain, crashes over for a try just before half-time, to level the score at 3-3.
Hawke’s Bay had done extremely well to be on even terms at the turn-round, although Manawatu had helped a little by not making full use of the wind. A few high kicks would have drifted downfield and pushed Hawke’s Bay back on defence.
HAWKE’S BAY three-quarter Bill Davis completed a great back movement in the Manawatu match when he dived to score ahead of the Manawatu flanker, Ron de Cleene.
Following their Ranfurly Shield challenge, the Manawatu team undertook a tour of the South Island, playing four matches in ten days between August 13th and 23rd. The results were mixed; Southland (12-12), Otago (3-11), South Canterbury (21-6) and Canterbury (5-10). The loss to Canterbury was probably the best performance of the tour, bearing in mind that in five weeks time, they'd be the new shield holders.
A resounding 60-6 win over Bush followed (another Bruce Steel Cup tie), running in 13 tries in the process. Roger Twentyman bagged four, also picking up three while on the southern tour. Jim Francis converted nine and added a dropped goal. Wairarapa followed, yet another Bruce Steel Cup match, where Manawatu notched another impressive win, beating their neighbours by 24-12. Francis scored 15 of the points.
Had Manawatu defeated Hawkes Bay, these would have been the first two challengers. But a week later, they would have surrendered the trophy to Taranaki, who travelled to Palmerston North and won by 10-3. The season was completed on September 20th with a return fixture against Wanganui, a match easily won by Manawatu by 31-9. Twentyman bagged his twelfth try for the season (in just 13 matches).
Jim Francis made 55 appearances for Manawatu between 1969 and 1973. He then returned to Hawkes Bay (and the Havelock North club), playing 22 times for the Magpies in 1974 and '75. Tony Loveridge made just the seven appearances for the Pegasus in 1969. Roger Twentyman played 38 times for Manawatu between 1969 and 1971, making 11 appearances for Wairarapa in 1972.
Gerald Tuarau played 33 times until the end of the 1972 season. Warwick Grieve played just 3 matches in 1969 and Alex O'Connell played in 5, before returning to Wanganui for 1970. Brian Kitchen (66 matches since 1962) and Doug Knight (59, 1962) both retired at the end of the 1969 season. Knight, the hard Oroua prop, bowed out in the Taranaki match and Kitchen in the season finale.
Frank Thompson played the 1970 season, before calling it a day. He'd played 78 times in the green of Manawatu. Similarly, Alan Cornelius saw out the 1970 season, having accumulated 47 matches since 1966, having represented Mid-Canterbury for five seasons before that. 'Tote' Rumball returned to Manawatu in 1970, retiring in 1971, playing 78 times for that province.
Brian Cuff played for Manawatu until 1973, racking up 66 matches, going back to 1963. Ron de Cleene retired the same season. he'd played 65 matches (plus 20 for Wellington). He'd played for New Zealand Universities as an open side flanker from 1966-1971.
Mick O'Callaghan, following his elevation to the All Blacks in 1968. Shortly after the All Blacks returned from Australia, France arrived in New Zealand. When Tony Steel was forced to withdraw after selection for the 1st Test, the selectors over-looked Australian tourists, Bill Currey and Michael Knight, in preference for the in-form O'Callaghan.
In turn, Malcolm Dick and Graeme Thorne (1) of Auckland and George Skudder (2) of Waikato had been preferred by Vodanovich and company, when the Welsh arrived early in 1969 for two test matches. O'Callaghan would make his second successive North Island appearance on September 13th, in an unexpected loss to the South Island by 3-13.
A full report of that match can be read here...
Mick O'Callaghan had played 34 times for Manawatu since 1966, finishing the 1968 season as the top try scorer in New Zealand with thirteen, a tally he was able to equal in 1969. He toured Hong Kong, Japan and Hawaii (a side which contained his Massey and Manawatu team mates, Bob Burgess and Ron de Cleene), eaarly in 1970 with the New Zealand Universities side, where he scored ten tries in six games.
He was one of only two final trialists who did not make the tour to South Africa (Ian Turley of the Wairarapa being the other), following a disappointing match in Wellington, in May. He played 11 matches for the Waikato in 1970. Heading overseas to further his veterinary studies, O'Callaghan moved to France and completed a Masters degree, playing rugby for Stade Poitevin (1970-71) and Stade Toulousian (1971-73). Moving on to Cambridge University, he played for the 'Blues' from1974-1977) and played once for the Barbarian Club in the last named season. At Cambridge he gained a doctorate with a thesis on the electrical activity of a horse's heart.
Returning to lecture at Massey University in 1978, Dr O'Callaghan's outstanding form in club rugby could not be ignored, the 32 year old veteran being brought into the Ranfurly Shield squad at centre. His experience and skill was most beneficial to Manawatu during the season and the following two years.
In 1979 he was the Union's top try scorer with nine, six coming in National Championship matches. He played with much enthusiasm and eagerness, his high standard of fitness enabling him to participate in more than his share of movements. In addition he passed on his knowledge to the younger, promising members of the back division.
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Had Manawatu lifted the shield from the Magpies and then lost in to Taranaki in challenge 3 on September 13th (while Mick O'Callaghan and Sam Strahan were playing for the North Island, plus 'Jazz' Muller of Taranaki), their only home defence for the season fell on October 4th against Waikato, so Taranaki would not have been automatically obligated to put the trophy on the line. Refer the Taranaki challenge page for further details.
Manawatu players to have played against Hawke's Bay in challenges 1 (1967) & 16 (1969)
CORNELIUS, Alan Francis (PNHSOB). No. 8 (1967 & 1969). 47 matches for Manawatu between 1966-1970. Mid-Canterbury (40).
de CLEENE, Ronald Thomas (University. Flanker (1967 & 1969). 65 matches for Manawatu between 1966-1973. Wellington (20).
FRANCIS, James Graeme (University). Fullback (1969). 55 matches for Manawatu. Hawke's Bay (22).
KITCHEN, Brian Ronald (Fielding). Hooker (1967). 66 matches for Manawatu bwtween 1962-1969.
KITCHEN, Donald Arthur (Fielding). 2/5 (1967 & 1969). 46 matches for Manawatu between 1962-1969.
KITCHEN, Rex (Fielding). Winger (1967). 9 matches for Manawatu in 1967.
KNIGHT, Douglas James (Oroua). Prop (1967 & 1969). 59 matches for Manawatu between 1962-1969.
McCASKIE, Donald (Oroua). Halfback (1967). 86 matches for Manawatu between 1959-1967.
MEADS, Lindsay (Oroua). Centre. 8 matches for Manawatu in 1967. Wanganui (40).
NESDALE, Kevin James (Oroua). Prop (1967). 58 matches for Manawatu between 1964-1968.
O'CALLAGHAN, Michael William (University). Winger (1967 & 1969). 65 matches for Manawatu between 1966-1980. Waikato (11).
PAEWAI, Raymond Hori (University). Fullback (1967). 28 matches for Manawatu between 1963-1967. Wairarapa (4).
RUMBALL, Peter John 'Tote' (University). Flanker (1967). 78 matches for Manawatu between 1963-1971. Hawke's Bay (12).
STEWART, Cam (Marist). 1/5 (1967). 11 matches for Manawatu in 1967. Wellington (44).
STRAHAN, Samuel Cunningham (Oroua). Lock (1967 & 1969). 70 matches for Manawatu between 1965-1976.
THOMPSON, Francis Mervyn (Oroua). Lock (1967 & 1969). 78 matches for Manawatu between 1961-1970.
TWENTYMAN, Roger (Freyberg OB). Winger (1969). 38 matches for Manawatu between 1969-1972. Southland (4).
Champion Hawkes Bay prop, Neil Thimbleby in action during the 1969 Ranfurly Shield match against Manawatu. Thimbleby was in his 11th season in black and white, where he'd already racked up over 100 matches, most of them successive.
In 1970 he was finally awarded an All Black jersey, when selected for the tour of South Africa. As a strong, burrowing type of prop, Thimbleby had long been admired for his technique by scrummaging experts.
In the Republic, he performed with typical honesty, playing in 12 matches, including the third test. He was selected for the second test also, but could not take his place, owing to a thumb injury.
Neil Thimbleby made 158 appeances for the Magpies (still the record), between 1959-1971.