1970 | I'm a Hawkeye Guy

After the Shield

1970: New decade, new season, new era!

The Ranfurly Shield was gone, likewise Colin Le Quesne, the architect of the 1960’s era, who had brought about so much success for the Magpies of Hawkes Bay – and the coffers of the governing union. The sterling service that he had given the sport in the province earned him a life membership of the union, as conferred on him at the annual meeting, but exactly what impact he had on Hawkes Bay rugby was about to be truly assessed as autumn arrived and the first season of a new decade dawned without him at the helm.

Still, there was much for a Hawkeye fan to ponder. The long summer hangover from the three year party of 1967-69 – with all its thrills and adventures – was wearing off and at first glance, life without the shield to defend seemed a relatively humdrum prospect.

But to the real enthusiast, those who turned up come hell or high water, the feelings of ‘anti-climax’ were not so pronounced. Sure, there won’t be the same sized crowds roaring their heads off at rep fixtures, as in the last few seasons, but the Bay is likely to still be one of the countries strongest unions.

Hawkes Bay players had a rather raw deal from both the North Island and All Black selectors during their shield reign, would others perhaps, receive greater recognition? MacRae and Davis aside, how many other Magpies will make the All Black side to tour South Africa?

And just how will the new Hawkes Bay outfit of the 1970’s measure up to their predecessors? Will they make full use of the reserve of talent built up during the shield era? Will they be able to discard the memories of defending the shield and at the same time set out with new objectives?

Although the whole shield experience had been balmy and grandeur and no one would have wanted it any other way, the disruption to the normal course of club rugby had been a common gripe during the tenure. Clubs were often forced to play below strength sides, with regular players away with various representative selections. The club programme had been curtailed by the need to arrange a longer rep season to accommodate shield challengers and also regular fixtures.

With the shield gone, the rugby going public of the twin cities now had a renewed interest in the senior competition and there was no better place for the incoming selector/coach, Derek Tombs, to start his rebuild than at grassroots level in the club environment.

Maintaining the prestige of Hawkes Bay rugby and the burden of attempting to keep the province at the top, would fall squarely on Tomb’s shoulders. The legacy, as handed down by Le Quesne, was to remember that ‘silence is golden’; willy-nilly discussion on team, players and prospects, indeed his innermost thoughts, Tombs was urged to ‘keep very much to himself’.

*****

The dawn of this new era began on Saturday, March 21st with the annual pre-season hit out, which doubled as an ‘All Black benefit rugby’ fundraiser; Kel Tremain’s XV met Brian Lochore’s XV on Nelson Park, with proceeds raised in aid going to the Hastings Junior Advisory Board, Chairman Bramwell commending their (and Hastings Sub-union) efforts in keeping youth actively interested in rugby and in fostering this up-and-coming talent in the district.

Established in 1958, the Hastings Junior Advisory Board – a hard working bunch of rugby enthusiast volunteers – had organized junior rugby in the city for around 1,500 schoolboys every Saturday morning throughout the autumn and winter months. Money raised helped to finance rugby balls, travelling allowances to country schools, subsidies to clubs for jerseys and the arranging of representative fixtures.

Special thanks were awarded to Mr. C H (Charlie) Bunker (six times president of the HBRFU, thirty-four years as President of the Hastings Rugby Sub-union), Mr. Reg Nash (sixteen years as secretary of the Sub-union) and Hastings Boys High School, which provided trained boys to referee games.

The majority of the 1969 Ranfurly Shield side were involved in the game – most in Tremain’s XV – with a large sprinkling of All Blacks, juniors or New Zealand Universities representatives making up the balance of the playing thirty.

*****

The following weekend was Easter and Hawkes Bay teams taking part in various rugby tournaments all did very well. Napier Marist were made to work hard in the Spillane Cup final to overcome their Wellington counterparts. The Napier side were expected to ‘chop Wellington to shreds’ in the vanguard, but the marauding forwards from the Capital did a fine job in checking the flow of quality ball to the aforementioned back line.

In Wellington, Napier High School Old Boys were also successful in defeating big city opposition, by beating Wellington by 9 -5, in the final of the annual Old Boys tournament.

The greatest success and sign of things to come came from Havelock North who won the Pirates tournament in Wanganui, defeating Colenso-Pirates in the final by 22-0. Mike Natusch and John Dougan had been in dynamic form for the ‘Villagers’. Natusch scored sixteen points in the first round match and Dougan four tries and a dropped goal in the final.

*****

Napier-Hastings club rugby kicked off on April 4th in a somewhat lighter and brighter environment than in recent seasons. Overturning a half-time deficit, a 26-9 win over Clive in round one – on the new look Nelson Park - had most punters raising their eyebrows or donning their caps toward Havelock North being a side to watch during 1970. Coached by Bob Mitchell, an infusion of new blood to the senior team was exciting, but already there were rumblings that two of their trump cards – Dougan and ‘Tote’ Rumball - were soon to be heading out of town.

No. 8 and skipper, John Pickering, was prominent throughout, supported admirably by the Bay players, Rumball, Dougan and Natusch. A couple of new faces made impressive debuts in full-back, Allan Parker and utility back, Brent Mawson.

Round one though belonged to perennial powerhouse, NHSOB, with new senior coach, Tony Dick, on the blindside flank. Napier annihilated the once equally powerful Hastings club by 59-8, Hastings basic predicament quite simply, that they couldn’t win any ball. Little surprise as only lock, Dale Lucas (Rod Abel’s replacement) had not played for Hawkes Bay. The Old Boys pack, in fact, would do justice to most provincial units and had Hastings playing second fiddle in lineout’s, scrums and loose play.

It was an inauspicious start for the new Hastings coach, former All Black forward (and MAC coach), ‘Snow’ Cotterill. Although small, inexperienced and hopelessly outplayed, the Hastings side did everything they were capable of to try and restore some balance to the match. But at the completion of round one it did appear evident that there would not be a pack in the Napier-Hastings senior competition to equal Napier Old Boys.

Interest was roused when it was noted that Kel Tremain was ‘carrying more condition’ than normal for the start of a season and although appearing to ‘take the match fairly easily’, scored a couple of quality tries. Paul Carney gave ‘certainly one of the finest displays of goal kicking seen on McLean Park’.

Apart from Abel, NHSOB were without Dave Selby, Doug Curtis and ‘Uncle’ Harry Clare for the 1970 season. Selby and Clare had retired from long years serving the team and Curtis was one of an exodus heading to the Celtic club. Selby’s replacement was none other than former Magpie half-back, Barry Neale.

Napier Old Boys great rival, Marist, did not have things all their own way in notching up an 18-12 victory over the Technical club, in the main game on McLean Park. The Technical display was as encouraging as the Marist side’s was disappointing and a feather in the cap for new coach, Harry Grady, a former selector of the Napier junior representatives and Eddy Watts replacement.

With Robbie Stuart and hooker Les Roberts in grand form, Technical won enough possession to set away its impressive back division with former Magpie centre Gary Watts overshadowing his All Black opposite in Ian MacRae, exhibiting some elusive running with several telling breaks of his own. Inside Watts, former Napier Old Boy, Gary Ebbett was strong as was the rapidly improving young first five-eighth, Terry Exeter.

Technical – busy preparing for their 50th celebrations - had called on its juniors with the loss of some key players in John and Gavin Exeter, Brian Manson, Greg Ball, Richard Harris and Brent Hannah from 1969, although they had gained two Hawkes Bay junior forwards in Merv Dallimore and John Winter.

Frank Crotty’s Marist had three significant gains for the new season in half-back, John O’Rourke and No. 8 P Maloney - both promising youngsters - and a locally known sprinter and athlete, Alan Burk on the wing.

Former shield heroes in action in the big clash of round six of Napier-Hastings Club rugby between NHSOB and Celtic. Left: Aidan Thomas gets a right marauding from Tom Davis, with Hilton Meech and Graham Wiig surveying. Right: Ian Bishop is tackled ball and all by Bill 'Jock' Eddy.

As well as gaining the services of Doug Curtis, Celtic (who had won the Moran Cup, a subsidiary of the Spillane Cup tournament the preceding weekend) had also benefitted from other shield players switching to the club; Ian Bishop (Waipukurau HSOB), Aidan Thomas (Hastings) and Neil Thimbleby (Marist) who had taken the role of player-captain-coach.

The talk was all of Celtic before the match yet, despite the ‘name’ influx, they proved no match for the well drilled Taradale outfit, who now had amongst their ranks the former Counties half-back, Graham Lewis, who had played against the Bay in the shield challenge of 1968.

Well coached and with speed to burn, Taradale scored after only three pulsating minutes, giving one of the finest ‘first-of-season’ showings by a club team seen in years. Playing into the wind, Taradale held a commanding and wholly unexpected 19-9 lead at the break, with Lewis certainly having the edge over his more illustrious opposite, Thomas.

Following a half-time Thimbleby pep talk, a spirited fight back from the new look Celtic outfit was imminent and forthcoming, but despite their ‘power supply’ of shield heroes, they were always second best. Taradale, with skipper Phil Pratt to the fore, prevailed by 25-9.

Thrashed by Havelock North the weekend before, Colenso-Pirates put up a better showing in round one on McLean Park No.2, although eventually going down to M.A.C by 5-14. An exciting newcomer for them and new to senior rugby was Bevan Cottrell, who had impressed as a goal kicker while at Napier Boys High School. Former Taradale centre, Barry Blunsdon, had also joined the Pirates for the 1970 season.

The Hastings High School Old Boys clash with Tamatea – won 24-8 by HHSOB – was marred by the condition of the ground at Kirkpatrick Park in Hastings, with play only moved to the venue late in proceedings from Mayfair Park, where there were also concerns regarding the surface.

*****

As the club season got underway in earnest, one eye was always on the forthcoming All Black tour to South Africa and speculation on how many Magpies – on the back of deserved shield success – would make the thirty strong tour party. Most agreed that the names of Ian MacRae and Bill Davis would be on the list and that in all likelihood, MacRae would be named as tour vice-captain.

But what were the realistic chances of other members of the shield squad becoming All Blacks? Tenure of the shield and the spotlight being constantly on Hawkes Bay rugby during those seasons had done virtually nothing when it came time to name an All Black side. Although the Bay had been a dominating force in New Zealand rugby throughout most of the 1960’s, individual recognition had largely not come.

Blair Furlong - to most in the Bay - was as close to a certainty as one could get. The rugby-going public of Hawkes Bay had watched Furlong outclass several All Blacks during the shield reign; Mac Herewini, Ross Brown, Earle Kirton, Wayne Cottrell and other top-ranking first five-eighths in Maori All Blacks, Mattie Blackburn and Brian Going.

He had great hands, kicked equally well off both feet, was a shrewd tactician, competent drop kick specialist and had the pace to make a break and initiate a backline move. Was he in the selector’s plans?

The first indication was given when ten Hawkes Bay players were invited to the preliminary North Island trials, held in Palmerston North on May 20th, with final trials in Wellington three days later; M G Duncan (HHSOB), W L Davis (Taradale), I R MacRae (Marist), B D M Furlong (Marist), J P Dougan (Havelock North), M A Thomas (Celtic), G Lewis (Taradale), H J Paewai (Aotea), K K Crawford (MAC), N W Thimbleby (Celtic). Mick Duncan’s nomination was subject to him passing a fitness test and in the advent he was not able to participate.

In the first trial (won 14-0 by the Probables) John Dougan and Hepa Paewai were paired at scrum and fly half for that side. In the main trial (won 21-15 by the Probables) Blair Furlong (try and penalty goal) and Aidan Thomas were paired in the same positions, with Neil Thimbleby up against the youngster from King Country, Graham Whiting at prop. Bill Davis and Ian MacRae were in the beaten Possibles side, with such illustrious company as Colin Meads, Ian Kirkpatrick and Sid Going, three greats of their generation. Graham Lewis, Mike Natusch and Robbie Stuart were reserves, along with John Rumball, now registered as a Manawatu player.

Left: Main New Zealand trial action as Otago winger, Bruce Hunter has a head start on his opposite, Bryan Williams. Fergi McCormick follows the action. Right: An anti-tour ptoestor is led from the ground by the Police.

Mick Duncan and Mike Natusch were in the Possibles line-up for the early trial on the 23rd at Athletic Park. Natusch retired injured in the fifth minute, replaced by his club mate from Havelock North, John Dougan and Duncan was replaced late in the match by Morrie Collins of Otago. Hepa Paewai came on to replace Grant Batty of Wellington in the Probables, fifteen minutes into the second half. The match was won by the Probables by 16-11.

In the main trial (won 14-6 by the Probables), the winning side contained Bill Davis (try), Ian MacRae and at fullback, where he hadn’t played a lot in recent seasons, Blair Furlong (penalty goal and conversion). Neil Thimbleby was named in the programme in the Possible side, but withdrew through injury and was replaced by shield stealer, Alister Hopkinson of Canterbury.

Half an hour after the final trial concluded, beneath the stand at Athletic Park, Jack Sullivan, Chairman of the NZRFU Executive Committee, read out live on national radio the names of the thirty players, as chosen by the selectors, Messrs. Vodanovich (Wellington), Walsh (Counties) and George (Southland), to tour Australia and the republic of South Africa.

Ian MacRae and Bill Davis both made it, as was generally expected, but Hawkes Bay also had two new All Blacks; Blair Furlong and Neil Thimbleby.

1970 All Blacks touring side to Australia and South Africa

Back Row: H P Milner (Wanganui), B G Williams (Auckland), B E McLeod (Counties), W D Cottrell (Canterbury), W L Davis (Hawkes Bay), M J Dick (Auckland).

2nd Row: B D M Furlong (Hawkes Bay), R A Ulrich (Auckland), A J Wyllie (Canterbury), B L Muller (Taranaki), I R MacRae (Hawkes Bay),

G F Kember (Wellington), K Murdoch (Otago)

Standing: J F Burns (Canterbury), A E Hopkinson (Canterbury), I A Kirkpatrick (Poverty Bay), S C Strahan (Manawatu), A E Smith (Taranaki),

A R Sutherland (Marlborough), B Holmes (North Auckland), T N Lister (South Canterbury).

Seated: C R Laidlaw (Otago), C E Meads (King Country), Mr. R L Burk (Manger/Auckland), B J Lochore (Captain/Wairarapa),

Mr. I M H Vodanovich (Coach/Wellington), N W Thimbleby (Hawkes Bay), E W Kirton (Otago)

In front: B A Hunter (Otago), W F McCormick (Canterbury), G S Thorne (Auckland), S M Going (North Auckland)