I'm a Hawkeye Guy

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2nd DEFENCE

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WAIKATO

 

McLean Park, Napier. Saturday, July 29th, 1967

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HAWKES BAY 35, WAIKATO 9 (Half-time: 10 – 6)

 

For Hawkes Bay: Ian MacRae (4), Kel Tremain (2), Dennis Smith tries. Ian Bishop, 7 conversions.

 

For Waikato: Brian Cooper 3 penalty goals.

 

Hawkes Bay: Ian Bishop, Dennis Smith, Bill Davis, Doug Curtis, Ian MacRae, Blair Furlong, Hepa Paewai, Tom Johnson, Dave Bone, Rod Abel, Kaaran Crawford, Kel Tremain, Neil Thimbleby, Myles Reddy, Hilton Meech.

 

Waikato: Brian Cooper (Kereone), Bill Birtwhistle (Te Awamutu SPOB), Andy Johnson (Tokoroa), Jim Bell (Waharoa-Walton United), Quentin Tapsell (Cambridge United), Dave Wood (Putaruru Athletic) captain, John Wood (Putaruru Athletic), R B Baldwin (Putaruru Athletic), Beau Guest (Matamata), Graeme Clarke (Kereone), Ian Paterson (Hamilton HSOB), Duncan Dysart (Putaruru Athletic), Gary Bremer (Putaruru Athletic), Joe Wright (Huntly), Brian Forrest (Hamilton HSOB)

 

Referee: DH (Dave) Millar (Dunedin)  Crowd: 22,500  net profit for HBRFU: $8,395.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I suggest that had Waikato been the first match, the conditions would have been the same for the Hawkes Bay team. Had Manawatu come                                                                    second, they would have got the same treatment as Waikato received.”                                                                         Colin Le Quesne (Shield ’67)

 

 

 

 

Led by their own trusty bovine hero (New Zealand’s first iconic rugby mascot), the Jersey cow ‘Mooloo’, Waikato folk ascended on Napier in their thousands for challenge number two. Cowbells rang and the famous ‘red, black and yellow’ of the Waikato helped to elevate the excitement already generated by the parochial home supporters.

 

As was the case during during the 1920’s, ‘Shield Fever’, a most infectious syndrome, was once again running rampantly through the veins of the Hawkes Bay province, rendering the rugby fraternity helpless. An outbreak of the like, not seen for over forty years, was threatening to go epidemic.

 

The Bay may have muffled their way through their lines against Manawatu, but the win in the white hot cauldron of McLean Park - with the nations rugby jewels at stake - was responsible for spreading the fever wider still and the thirsty rugby public who couldn’t get enough, naturally wanted more.

 

With a degree of pressure and burden now lifted from the holders, a clear-headed decision was made to aim for a much more relaxed approach toward the next challenge the following weekend. This meant a return to the team’s natural game, as much as they could possibly be allowed to play it. 

 

This was not a great Waikato side, not compared to that provinces great shield winning and Springbok conquering sides of the 1950’s and their 1966-67 season records were not brilliant reading. Very much in a transitional stage, the Union was trying to replace some of the names that had served them so well in the past; Ian, Ben and Don Clarke, Rex Pickering, Ponty Reid.

 

Upon winning the Ranfurly Shield from North Auckland in 1951, the province of Wakato was besieged for the first time themselves with the aforementioned ‘shield fever’, which sent the population of Hamilton city, neighbouring townships and rural outposts into a state of euphoric delirium. The triumphant side returned home to a city ecstatic with the disease. The Waikato Times reported: "Scenes in Victoria Street, when the team returned from Whangarei, were reminiscent of V-J Day”. 

 

A local business ‘Booth and Chapman’ held a competition to create a mascot for the Waikato rugby team, the winner being ‘Mooloo’ the cow, a place in history also as the nations first real provincial rugby mascot. Waikato Breweries issued a beer called ‘Mooloo Medicine’ following the shield win and ‘Mooloo’ merchandise eventually stretched as far as salt and pepper shakers.

 

It was a commercial traveler from Hamilton named Richard Everest, who became the sole selector of the provincial rugby side in 1950, who transformed the fortunes of Waikato rugby forever, helping them attain both shield success for the first time and their golden moment in the sun on June 9th, 1956, when they stunned South Africa in the opening match of that countries third rugby tour to New Zealand, by 14 points to 10.

 

Everest had played for Waikato himself during the 1930’s and had been in the combined Waikato-Thames Valley-Bay of Plenty-King Country side which had only narrowly lost to the famous 1937 Springboks by 3-6.

 

He had the 1956 victors preparing for their own match with South Africa as early as December, 1955. After selecting a 25 man squad to train and prepare for the ‘Boks, still seven months away, he would have them all out doing fitness training in their own sub-unions on Sunday mornings. He  had a dossier on each player in the South African squad, some of the information collated by ‘spies’ he had in Australia, who had watched them play in the section of the tour precluding New Zealand.

 

Psyched to the eyeballs for the match, Waikato kicked off and had scored a dramatic try after just sixty seconds. They then proceeded to launch themselves at the bewildered tourists, tackling in pairs and driving into their sizeable opposites.

 

Another try to Ron Pickering and a long range left footed dropped goal by Don Clarke saw the Waikato race to a 14-0 half-time lead. Although the Bok’s replied with two superb tries of their own, the Mooloo men remained focused to perfection and in the process, playing themselves to a standstill, held on to claim a most emphatic scalp.

 

Leaner times had befallen the union during the early 1960’s. Unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge’s in 1961, 1962 and 1965 against Auckland and Taranaki in 1964 were disappointing, as was the 13-26 defeat suffered at the hands of the ’65 Springboks in tour match twelve.

 

An overwhelming defeat of the French in 1961 by 22-3, a clear highlight for the Mooloo’s, Don Clarke contributing 16 points in the match and winger Noel Blackburn scoring two tries. A piece of rugby history was created at Te Aroha on August 12th the same year, when Don and four brothers (one third of the team) represented their province in a match against Thames Valley.

 

Taranaki’s loss was Waikato rugby’s gain in 1946, when Alex and Ann Clarke arrived with their five sons to take up a share-milking job in Tatanui, near Morrinsville. Within a couple of years, they had moved to a bigger farm in the neighbouring district of Ngarua, where the boys spent much of their youth playing rugby in the paddocks and helping with physical farming tasks. They had associated themselves with the Kereone Club.

 

Alex was passionate about rugby and ensured that his sons learnt the games correct basic skills to go with their natural ability and enthusiasm.  The physical farm work, combined with hours of training saw the boys’ progress from club rugby on to Waikato representative level.  

 

The name Clarke has now been synonymous with local and international rugby for decades and the five talented brothers amassed a total of 409 matches for Waikato.  Ian played 126 games, Doug 43, Don 98, Brian 70 and Graeme 72.  

 

1966 began well with Coronation Shield success against North Auckland in the form of a 16-13 win in Hamilton. The Wood brothers, Dave and John were recalled to the Waikato side, neither having represented for a number of seasons, to cover retirements and departures. A gain was the strong running second five-eighth, John Cresswell, an Otago representative in 1965, who was the spearhead of the attack.

 

The forwards lacked the drive and intensity of past Waikato packs and the introduction of new players did not help in this regard. The outstanding forward was 17 stone Graeme Clarke, who had first represented in 1961 and took a lot of stopping when in full cry.

 

The Coronation Shield was lost instantly to the Bay of Plenty. Down 0-9 early to three penalty goals by Bill Potae, Waikato rallied but were unable to capitalise on it’s chances, the home side victorious in Whakatane by 19-6.

 

Despair turned to joy the following weekend when a surprise 15-11 Ranfurly Shield victory over Auckland saw the log return again to Hamilton. Following the loss to Bay of Plenty, the question was asked by Waikato followers, as to their sides realistic chances of beating the Auks. Many had already decided to stay home, even though Auckland were without Mac Herewini, Ron Rangi and Waka Nathan, all on test duty in Christchurch with the All Blacks.

 

Those who went were rewarded with a thrilling match, the Waikato side rising to the occasion and tearing into their work with great enthusiasm. The forwards won plenty of good ball and the backs ran it freely.

 

When passing was not desirable, Dave Wood kicked with great precision and judgement and dictated terms most admirably. They probably should have had the game sewn up by half-time, but the holders hung in and rallied with a storming finish, in a gallant bid to hold onto the shield. 

 

That was on August 27th. Waikato had but one home game against the Lions, followed by a fourteen day South Island tour. Their only remaining home fixture, where they would be obligated to put the Ranfurly Shield on the line, was against Hawkes Bay on September 24th.

 

The British Lions turned on one of their finest displays all tour in soundly defeating Waikato by 20 points to 9, with Swansea and Welsh international, Dewi Bebb running in two of the Lions five tries on the left wing. The Irish inside centre, Mike Gibson, in particular, was breathtakingly sublime at times.

 

Waikato bounced back from a decisive defeat and began their southern sojourn with a ‘lifeless and scrappy’ 0-0 draw against Wellington on Athletic Park. A 23-11 win over Golden Bay-Motueka followed, first five-eighth, Alan Kiely, scoring three tries on debut.

 

A 0-17 thrashing was handed out by Canterbury, with Derek ‘Bluey’ Arnold ‘a leading light’ in the centre’s and Alex Wyllie the outstanding forward. The cost was greater than the score-line however, with captain Dave Wood injured and out for the remainder of the season.

 

A moral boosting 13-9 victory was recorded against the Jack Hazlett led Southland ‘Lion busters’ side in Invercargill on Saturday, September 17th, one week out from their all important shield defence against the Magpies.

 

Defeat in their final outing in Dunedin, losing 8-17 to Otago (with John Cresswell and Baldwin joining the injury list), was followed by a plane trip home the following day (Wednesday) and a final training session in Cambridge before Hawkeye hit town.

 

It was a confident Magpie team that headed for Hamilton, with All Blacks Tremain, Davis and MacRae in the side. None of the 41 players who played for Waikato in 1966 ever played for the All Blacks and although favourites to win the match, Hawkes Bay had struggled to get points on the board, despite their dominance throughout most of the game in most facets of play.

 

It wasn’t the greatest of shield challenge’s as a spectacle, in fact Tom Johnson recalls it as ‘one of the poorest matches he’d ever played in’, but a first-half try to Bill Davis and a second-half penalty to Ian Bishop (after Waikato were lured offside, in a since infamous ruse engineered by Hepa Paewai) was enough to secure victory and return the coveted trophy to Napier for the first time in 32 years.

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“I got bigger thrills in some of the matches where we retained it”

Neil Thimbleby (Shield Fever, Lindsay Knight)

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The 1967 Waikato side were strengthened on paper by the arrival of the 1965 All Black winger from Canterbury, William Murray Birtwhistle. Born and educated in Auckland, Bill Birtwhistle made his first class debut for that province in 1961, before moving to Christchurch, where the following season he soon became a regular on the right wing for the red and blacks, scoring six tries in his 15 appearances.

 

He quickly established himself as a crowd favourite with his smooth running and extravagant side stepping, noted early as a ‘speedy runner with try scoring ability’. He scored 13 tries in 1963 and 15 the following season in all first class matches. In 1963 he received an All Black trial and the following year represented the South Island. 

 

Two tries in both the South Island trial and in the Inter-island fixture, plus another for the NZ XV in the final All Black trial of 1965, saw his name pencilled into most pundits All Black side to face the old enemy and great was the surprise when his name was not read out.

 

His acceleration, strong ball carrying and sound defence were all illustrated during Canterbury’s narrow 5-6 loss to South Africa, on a bleak winter’s day in Christchurch. His outstanding form was confirmed with an intercept, runaway try and when Malcolm Dick, withdrew from the New Zealand starting XV due to injury, Bill Birtwhistle got the call.

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“I could see that we were in trouble and decided I would have a go at the intercept…it worked and I took off…I never had any doubt I would score.”

Bill Birtwhistle (Tony Murdoch, Christchurch Football Club website)

 

 

 

He scored the opening try of the series against the ‘Bok’s (and another in the final game), playing in all four test matches.. His final try tally for 1965 was 20, in just 17 matches. 

 

Persistent injuries curtailed his availability for much of 1966 and his demise was the gain of his provincial team-mate, Tony Steel, who gained national selection at his expense against the British Isles. Birtwhistle did play for the Cantabs during their narrow 6-8 loss to the Lions and after pulling a hamstring in this match, was out for another two months. He returned in stellar form to complete the season in early September. 

 

After 59 appearances for Canterbury, four for the South Island and four test matches for the All Blacks, his experience in ‘big games’ was seen as an asset to this young and under-performing Waikato side.

 

Another gain was the smooth handling Quentin Tapsell, who had played thirteen times at first five-eighth for the Bay of Plenty in 1966 and had marked Mike Gibson in that Unions celebrated 6-6 draw against the Lions.

 

A promising young full back, 21 year old Brian Cooper, had arrived from the North Shore in Auckland and was picked ahead of the long serving incumbent, Dave Flavell, for the shield challenge. Flavell himself, centre, Andy Johnson and half-back, John Wood were in the Waikato side that had lost the shield to Hawkes Bay nine months prior.

 

Forwards, Ian Paterson, Beau Guest, Graeme Clarke (the last of the famous Clarke brothers to play for the Mooloo men), Joe Wright, Duncan Dysart and Gary Bremer all shared the same ignominious fate.

 

At hooker, Joe Wright from the Huntly club had first represented the union in 1961, scoring two tries on debut in a 29-3 win over Counties in Papakura. Owing to an injury to the regular hooker Frank Peacock, he got to play in the unsuccessful shield challenge against Auckland, opposing another youngster in Frank Colthurst. He played for Waikato in both the Springbok and Lions fixtures of 1965 and ’66. 

 

Beau Guest and Graeme Clarke had played against the ‘Boks, the trio (with Wright) plus Baldwin, Ian Paterson and Gary Bremer had faced up to the Lions. Guest was a fast and tireless side rower and grand tackler, devastating of opposing movements. Brian Forrest, a big lad from the Matamata club, was hauled in as a lock, having made an appearance for a Waikato XV against North Otago in 1966.

 

In four outings leading up to their chance at shield redemption, wins had been recorded over Thames Valley (18-3) and East Coast (22-6). The encouragement of a good performance and a single point loss to Auckland was then offset by a loss to Poverty Bay (6-15), although in the latter, key personnel were rested before the shield challenge, three days later.

 

The expedient nature of the build up to the Manawatu match, the result of that game and the need to attempt to do things better in the future were put to the test by Colin Le Quesne’s desire that, for collective state of mind, the whole squad should spend the Friday night of any challenge together in the Criterion Hotel.

 

The manner of victory over Waikato would lead the ‘Fuhrer’ to believe that the success of this venture should be written into policy and from here-on-in, that policy, effective immediately, was passed into team law.

 

There was an on field casualty from the Manawatu match also. Tom Johnson, fit although troubled by a bothersome hamstring injury, was to play his first match of the 1967 season (his 100th first class match) at the expense of Gary Condon, who was relegated to the reserves. Johnson went to No.8, moving Dave Bone from that position to open side flanker. It was considered that Johnson provided another option for the Bay at line out time.

 

*****

 

22,500 people had packed into McLean Park, a thousand more than for the Manawatu game and the H.B.R.F.U. knew that their decision to purchase temporary seating for the match against South Africa in 1965, had paid handsome dividends.

 

The seating had cost $36,000 and was paid off after the Hawkes Bay match against the British Lions a year later. From here on in, providing Hawkes Bay could retain the shield for a while, a great profit could potentially be made. Expenses for each match were estimated to be around $2,000, which included the 20% paid in ground rental to the Napier City Council. ‘Bums on seats’ were tantamount to a healthy return for the Union.

 

The game began with plenty of sparkle, mirroring the bright winter sunshine that pervaded over McLean Park. The ebb and flow of the first 25 minutes would again have the Magpie faithful in two minds as to the countenance and ability of this side with the ‘log of wood’, with what was about to unfold, they needed have worried.

 

Waikato full back, Cooper and Ian Bishop were both astray with early penalties, the latter in fact, missing twice. But this contest was about to explode into action and exemplify the deserved tag that rugby matches of this quality carry, ‘the champagne game’.

 

Blair Furlong belted the ball up the wing, for Doug Curtis to race through and put pressure on Cooper. The full back spilled the ball, in turn scooped up by Kel Tremain, who was off like a greyhound to score. Bishop converted, 5-0.

 

A powerful surge by Neil Thimbleby, to within 15 yards of the Waikato goal line, set up a second try for Tremain, this time right beside the posts. Ian Bishop again converted, 10-0.

 

Ten points up, but still the bottle had not been completely uncorked. Brian Cooper added two penalties from two attempts to close the gap at half-time to 10-6. The Bay were no doubt on top, having twice crossed the Waikato line, but those heading to buy a pie at the interval would need more convincing.

 

The second forty minutes of this match would define the Hawkes Bay approach to defending the shield and predetermine this side for greatness. Not long after the restart, the cork well and truly popped.

 

When Dave Bone charged down a clearing kick, the ball was retrieved by Karaan Crawford, who - linking with his backs – sent Ian MacRae away. The five-eighth chipped ahead and gathered in his own kick to score. Bishop converted, 15-6.

 

MacRae scored again in similar fashion, by kicking ahead and beating full back Cooper to the ball, over the line. Able, Crawford and Tremain had featured prominently in the buildup. Bishop again converted, Hawkes Bay led by 20-6.

 

With the game in the bag, all the party tricks were coming out. Bill Davis and Dennis Smith joined forces to put MacRae in for a third. Davis featured in a blinding run that saw Smith score in the corner. With Bishop converting both, the Bay were out to a 30-6 lead.

 

Cooper added a third penalty goal, 30-9, but the Bay had the last word when Furlong cut through, in passing to MacRae whose pace was enough to put him over for his fourth try. Ian Bishop added the two extra points to make it seven conversions of seven tries. Hawkes Bay 35, Waikato 9.

 

With five scintillating tries in the second half, the Magpies had moved the ball in fast and furious fashion at break neck speed, a fact certainly not lost on the match referee from Dunedin.

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“The referee was Dave Millar, who said to me as I was lining up the last conversion of the day; "Take your time, as I am Buggered!" 

Ian Bishop, 2011

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For the first time in decades, true euphoria swept across McLean Park. Kel Tremain was carried shoulder high from the field and it appeared that even the Waikato supporters knew they had witnessed something very special. It was quite possibly the greatest display by a Hawkes Bay team on McLean Park since the glory days of the 1920’s.

 

*****

 

Although nominated for the New Zealand under-23 side, Brian Cooper did not play for Waikato again. The Bay had exposed his defensive frailties and David Flavell regained his full back spot. He was a member of the Frankton club side which won the Waikato First Division Premiership in 1969, scoring nine points in the final, a 12-3 victory over Hamilton Old Boys. Cooper scored over 100 points for Frankton that season. 

 

Jim Bell played three more times in red, black and yellow, confined to the 1967 season. Likewise, Quentin Tapsell played only twice more for Waikato, coming on as a replacement against Wellington and then in the merciless hammering Waikato received by North Auckland in Whangarei, 0-23 (the same day that Hawkes Bay were battling Taranaki in shield match five).

 

Bill Birtwhistle represented the province further on 29 occasions until the end of the 1970 season. He was the sole Waikato representative to make the All Black tour to the United Kingdom, France and North America at the conclusion of the 1967 season, but played in just eight of the 17 matches. 

 

These included the three home union tests against England, Wales and Scotland, scoring a try in the first two mentioned. A loss of form, particularly line-out throwing, saw him sit out the final three matches. 

 

He topped the try scoring with nine, including three in the game against Scottish Districts in Melrose, a match won 35-14 by the All Blacks. Despite trialling for the Australian tour in 1968, he never regained his New Zealand jersey.

 

Dave and John Wood both retired from rugby at the end of the 1967 season. The brothers had both represented Manawatu in the late 1950’s, before transferring to the Waikato in late 1959. Dave, noted for his leadership and tactical ability, was originally a loose forward, but was played at first (or second) five-eighth by his new union. Dave played 74, and John 41 matches for the Waikato.

 

Baldwin, Bremer and Dysart were also dropped from the Mooloo pack and between the three, made only scant appearances for the rep side later in the season. Duncan Dysart – like Cooper – did not play for Waikato again. 

 

Graeme Clarke retired at the conclusion of the 1967 season, after playing 72 matches for the province, dating back to his debut in 1961. Likewise, Baldwin who had made 19 appearances for the Mooloo’s, bowed out of representative rugby at the end of 1967.

 

Beau Guest played 74 times for Waikato between 1960-1967 and Ian Patterson, 44 (1964-1968). The latter captained the side against the Frenchman in 1968, a match won 13-8 by the tourists, but lost the captaincy to Joe Wright later in the season.

 

The entire front row of Gary Bremer, Joe Wright and Brian Forrest, plus centre, Andy Johnson, would be back in 1969 for another crack at the Magpies in challenge 18. 

 

***** 

 

Other representative matches played on this day were; King Country 18, Wairarapa 3, in Masterton. North Auckland 8, Counties 5, in Papakura. Marlborough 6, Nelson 3, in Nelson. In the major ‘bottom of the south’ derby in Dunedin, Otago defeated Southland by 11-6, while Bay of Plenty had a home victory in Te Puke against neighbours, Thames Valley by 33-17. Wellington had a morale boosting victory over their arch foe, Auckland, on Athletic Park by 19 points to 6.

 

It wasn’t a great result for Wairarapa, as next challenger for the shield, but good news for Wellington, the seventh and last of the season and indeed Otago, seven days before Wellington.

 

*****

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