We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Wanganui Rugby Union. We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series from the season’s 1934 through to 2015 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

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Wanganui finished eighth in the Heartland Championship round robin and only just qualified for the Lochore Cup playoffs with a for and against differential that was just five better than Thames Valley. The semi-final win over King Country Was their best performance of the season and the final was won in a war of attrition against North Otago.

The new coach used 29 players, with 13 having played in last year’s disappointing campaign. There were recalls for Cole Baldwin, Simon Dibben, Tremaine Gilbert, Darren Munro, Rhema Sagote (all 2012), and Tevita Taufui (2011). Of the loan players, Joshua Hamilton had played for Horowhenua Kapiti and Bryn Hudson for Thames Valley. A notable absentee was lock Nick Cranston, who was out injured.

The outstanding back was second five-eighth Rhema Sagote. He was an aggressive runner and top try-scorer. Loan player Joshua Hamilton, the top points-scorer in Taranaki club rugby, was tried at first five-eighth and fullback before the decision was made to go with the reliable Asalemo Malo at fullback and persevere with debutant Dane Whale at first five-eighth. Whale, a good runner, looked promising until a broken jaw against Wairarapa Bush ended his season. Of the four wingers used, Simon Dibben was the best. At halfback, Lindsay Horrocks started every game.

In the loose forwards, captain Peter Rowe again produced consistency of performance and ended the season on 99 games for Wanganui. Lasa Ulukuta was initially tried at prop but the switch back to number eight was better for him and the team. Injury restricted the appearances of Bryn Hudson, but he still made an impression, and Andrew Evans appeared in every game. The tight five certainly had an element of youth about it. New lock John Laurie learned well and Sam Madams toiled away in every game. It was again unfortunate that Sonny Woodmass was not always available. The two young props, Kamipeli Latu and Viki Tofa, improved in their debut seasons, while the experienced 37-year-old Shaun McDonough was good insurance on the bench. At hooker, Cole Baldwin was prominent.

The Bruce Steel Memorial Cup, held since 2012, was lost in the first defence of the year to Horowhenua Kapiti 23-34.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland XV: C. Baldwin, P.G. Rowe, L.K. Ulukuta