I'm a Hawkeye Guy
There's Something About a Magpie
CHALLENGE 20: TARANAKI
McLean Park, Napier. Saturday, September 20th, 1969.
HAWKE'S BAY 24, TARANAKI 8 (Half-time: 8-3).
For Hawke’s Bay: Dennis Smith (2), Mick Duncan, John Rumball (tries); Ian Bishop (2 penalty goals. three conversions).
For Taranaki: Bill Currey (try); Barry O’Dowda (conversion, penalty goal).
Hawke’s Bay: Ian Bishop; Doug Curtis, Mick Duncan, Dennis Smith; Ian MacRae, Blair Furlong; Hepa Paewai; Gary Condon; John Rumball, Kaaran Crawford, Rod Abel, Kel Tremain (captain); Neil Thimbleby, Gus Meech, Graham Wiig.
Taranaki: Barry O’Dowda (Tukapa); Dave Vesty (Stratford); Bill Currey (Opunake); Kerry Hurley (Okato); Neil Wolfe (New Plymouth Star); Jim Irving (Stratford OB); Dennis Wards (Tukapa); Alan Campbell (Eltham) replaced by Roger Feather (Clifton); Murray Wills (Patea); Trevor Jenkins (NPHSOB); Alan Smith (captain/Stratford); Peter Coles (Tukapa Red Star); Brian 'Jazz' Muller (Eltham); Fred Harris (NPHSOB); Ash Gardiner(Tukapa).
Referee: Mr A. R. Taylor (Canterbury). Crowd: 20,177. Net Profit to HBRFU; $6,800.00
When Taranaki challenged in 1967, Colin Le Quesne believed that the seasoned Ferdinand pack would be the toughest the Magpies would face during that season's shield campaign. There was also an aspect of 'revenge' for the Bay, having been narrowly beaten by Taranaki, when they themselves were the shield holders, in 1965.
In fact, the 'Naki had fashioned a rich history with the log over the past decade, one that was certainly to be revered. Against expectation, they'd lifted the trophy from Otago (by 11-9, after trailing by 0-9 at half-time) in 1957 and successfully defended it 14 times, until Southland took it from them in 1959. Remaining one of the finest packs in the land, they recaptured the log in 1963, this time repelling 16 challengers until being dethroned by the Auks in 1965.
The 17-0 win against Wellington on Athletic Park in 1963 - The Capital boys having only relieved Auckland of it the previous weekend, after one of the greatest reigns in the trophy's history - looked likely to set up another lengthy dynasty for the amber and blacks.
The Taranaki side of the mid 60's were an impenetrable lot, very hard to breakdown and score against. Admirably led by 'Pascoe' Brown and containing other players who had been, were or would become All Blacks in Kevin Briscoe, Roger Urbahn, Neil Wolfe, John Major, Murray Wills, Alan Smith, Ian Eliason and 'Jazz' Muller. The side also included Kerry Hurley, Barry O'Dowda and Trevor Jenkins, who would all play over 50 matches for the province.
Le Quesne was correct. The 1967 Taranaki pack were tough and resilient. But on that day, the Bay had played them at their own game up front and duly won the battle. It is fair to say that the 1969 Ferdinand side were but a shadow of sides from the recent glorious past, so much so that they carried the 'underdog' tag before the commencement of this particular shield challenge, totally unheard of over the past ten or so seasons.
While the side contained the nucleus of the '67 challengers in Kerry Hurley, Bill Currey, Dennis Wards, Murray Wills, Trevor Jenkins, Brian Muller, Alan Smith and Ash Gardiner, gone were All Black's 'Pascoe' and John Major, plus the champion try scoring winger, Lloyd Clarke.
Early season form had looked good. A solid 31-3 win over neighbours, Wanganui, in New Plymouth was followed up by probably the performance of the season, a gritty and hard fought 9-9 draw with the touring Welsh side. Wales had only recently won the 1969 Five Nations Championship, registering good wins over the home countries; Scotland (17-3), Ireland (24-11) and England (30-9), only dropping points when drawing 8-8 with the French in Paris.
*****
*****
Injuries had not been kind to the challengers throughout the season and it was only on the morning of the match that the Taranaki captain, Alan Smith, was cleared to play, having spent many weeks recovering from a broken finger.
Hawke’s Bay were preparing for life without Bill Davis (broken ankle) and Hilton Meech (fractured shoulder) for the last two matches of the season. Both succumbed to injuries sustained tin the tenuous challenge against North Auckland ten days earlier.
In their place, Le Quesne moved Mick Duncan to centre and Doug Curtis took his place on the wing, while Graham Wiig made his shield debut in Meech’s place.
Pristine spring sunshine greeted both teams, as they took the field for the 21st challenge of the current Hawke's Bay tenure. McLean Park was in flawless condition for the battle of two central North Island adversaries, who'd provided several fine clashes in the past few seasons.
Having won the toss, Hawke’s Bay were given the advantage of a slight breeze and the crowd watched on anxiously as Ian Bishop failed with a couple of early penalty attempts.
One of the newcomers to watch was Dave Vesty on the right wing. He'd run in four tries in six appearances (including a brace against Poverty Bay).
Dave Vesty runs in one of his two tries for Taranaki in their match against Poverty Bay in Gisborne. Taranaki won the match by 17-0.
But losses to Wellington (17-20, Hawera), King Country (14-22, Taumarunui), Auckland 11-13 and Bay of Plenty 6-17, both at home in New Plymouth, had bred doubt among the Ferdy faithful that this was not a side looking likely to beat the mighty Magpies.
A comeback of sorts was attained in the manner of victory over Southland (17-9, New Plymouth) and Manawatu (10-3, Palmerston North) and hopes were raised again that maybe the bull might run.
He did land one after 15 minutes, but Taranaki full-back, Barry O’Dowda, equalised 5 minutes later. The score was locked at three-a-piece until five out from half-time, when Hawke’s Bay scored the first try of the match.
This came from a long line-out, where Kel Tremain received the ball and charged towards the Taranaki line. He offloaded to 'Tote' Rumball, who carried on to score. Ian Bishop added the extras and Hawke’s Bay went into the break ahead by eight points to three.
John 'Tote' Rumball scores Hawke's Bay's first try of the Taranaki challenge. Graham Wiig, on debut, raises his arms in support. Others in shot are referee Taylor, Roger Feather, Jim Irving (on ground), Neil Thimbleby, Dave Vesty and Trevor Jenkins.
Some good fortune for the Magpies at half-time even. The wind changed direction and the Bay would have it's assistance in the second half also. They opened the second spell with a slick move, initiated by Hepa Paewai, which then involved Ian MacRae, Mick Duncan, John Rumball and Dennis Smith taking part for Smith to score. Bishop landed the conversion.
One of the unsung heroes of the entire shield era of 1966-1969 was the Clive winger, Dennis Smith, seen here crossing for his two tries in the Taranaki challenge.
Taranaki scored next with Jim Irving beating Blair Furlong. Dave Vesty got over the line to the ball ahead of Ian Bishop, but lost control of the ball. Bill Currey was there, however, to score. O‘Dowda converted.
With a penalty to Bishop after 21 minutes, Hawke’s Bay quickened the pace with Tremain. at first five-eighth giving MacRae the chance to kick ahead. Smith gathered in the bouncing ball and Duncan took the pass to score.
Paewai, Furlong and Smith worked the short side for Smith to score his second try. Ian Bishop converted, to give him 12 points for the match and a shield total of 173 – only four short of the record held by Auckland’s M. C. Cormack (177).
A comfortable and deserved win by Hawke’s Bay, but little time to pause before the big Canterbury match the following Saturday.
*****
The shield challenge against Hawke's Bay was the 63rd and final appearance for the 'Amber & Blacks' for Barry O'Dowda. The Tukapa fullback had first represented the province in 1962. Seven days later, a 14-34 loss to Wellington on Athletic Park, was the swan song for former All Black, Neil Wolfe, who'd played 71 matches for Taranaki, since 1963. Wolfe had been a big contributor to the success of the shield side from 1963-65.
Similarly, the long serving Trevor Jenkins (75 appearances since 1960), bowed out the following Saturday, the final match of the decade, the October 4th clash with Waikato.
Kerry Hurley retired at the end of the 1971 season, having amassed 110 matches for his beloved Taranaki side. The same season saw the end of Jim Irving (45 matches) in the amber and black.
Bill Currey retired at the completion of the 1972 rugby season, the former All Black having made 67 appearances since 1967. Fellow AB's, Murray Wills (131 appearances) and Alan Smith (82) bowed out the same season, along with Fred Harris (85), Roger Feather (35), Peter Coles (28) and Alan Campbell (21). The contribution of Fred Harris shouldn't be underestimated, he was understudy to All Black rake, John Major, early in his own career.
Dave Vesty was not selected again after 1973, with 48 games for Ferdinand Country. Dennis Wards played 94 games for Taranaki between 1964-1974 and Ash Gardiner was another long server, having compiled 102 matches from 1966-1974. Gardiner was an All Black in his final season, a member of the teams to tour Australia and then Ireland (Wales and England). His one international was the third test against Australia in Sydney, a match won by New Zealand by 16-6.
Ian Eliason, who played in the 1967 challenge, would end up amassing 222 matches for Taranaki from 1964-1981. He is one of only four players in New Zealand's rich rugby history to play over 200 matches for his province. In 1972, his experience earned him a place on the All Black's internal tour, where owing to the retirement of Colin Meads particularly, lock had become a problematic position.
His form on that tour - and throughout the domestic campaign - earned him one of the four locking spots on the end of season tour to the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and North America.
*****
Had the men from Taranaki lifted the Ranfurly Shield, it may have been lost to Waikato on October 4th, when the Mooloo men came to New Plymouth and defeated the Bull by 21-12. But Waikato would have had to lodge a 'special challenge' with the NZRFU. for a 'special challenge', as in the times, home fixtures scheduled after September 30th, did not have to be accepted by the defender.
Had they decided 'not' to put the shield up, it would have likely caused pandemonium, given the staunch history between the two North Island neighbours. You can read more about their former battles by following the link below 'Hawkeyeus Ontrailerus'.
Other matches played around New Zealand on September 20th, 1969 were; Otago 20, Canterbury 17 (Christchurch). Waikato 13, North Auckland 12 (Whangarei). Auckland 14, Wellington 19 (Wellington). Bay of Plenty 37, Poverty Bay 8 (Te Puke). Manawatu 31, Wanganui 9 (Palmerston North). Mid-Canterbury 17, North Otago 15 (Oamaru). Marlborough 27, Bush 8 (Blenheim).
*****
No. 1 song in New Zealand (19/09/1969); Honky Tonk Woman - the Rolling Stones
Mick Duncan scores his try in the second half, evading the tackle of Dave Vesty, with Jim Irving coming across in cover. Ian MacRae follows the action in the photo at left, while Dennis Smith ranges up outside Duncan, should the centre have needed to offload (photo at right).