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 2017 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

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After qualifying for the Meads Cup playoffs in a somewhat fortunate fourth place on points differential over Mid Canterbury and West Coast, Wanganui then proceeded to move through the semi-final and final in convincing fashion and claim the Meads Cup as Heartland Champions for an unprecedented three-peat. Their considerable experience in playoff football counted for much in winning both matches at the business end against opponents they had lost to in the round robin. At their free-flowing best Wanganui crushed Wairarapa Bush and King Country but in wet conditions looked vulnerable in defeating Thames Valley and losing to Horowhenua Kapiti.

A rebuild job was necessary with a number of the 2016 lnvincibles having moved on. Asalemo Malo, Karl Parker and last year’s captain Peter Rowe all retired after the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury. Rowe had retired after last year’s Meads Cup final but came back to play for the NZ Provincial Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions. Others not to reappear were Te Rangatira Waitokia, Kameli Kuruyubaki (both Manawatu), Kane Tamou (Horowhenua-Kapiti), Gavin Thornbury (back in Ireland), Michael Nabuliwaqa, Malakai Volau (both back n Fiji) and Tietie Tuimauga (injured).

Gains with previous first-class experience were Taione Ratu (South Canterbury) and Sekonaia Kalou who had represented Fiji at the 2011 World Cup and prior to that had played for North Otago and Otago under the name of Sekonaia Qaranaqio.

Newcomer Timoci Seruwalu was the team’s outstanding back, topping the try-scoring with nine. He was a constant threat to opposing defences and played in the final with a well-strapped broken hand. Cameron Crowley missed early matches while recovering from injury, but by season’s end had scored five tries, showing great determination on attack and defence. Nick Harding, who had last appeared in 2012, gave good service at fullback. fielding safely, tackling solidly and attacking well.

Whether at first five-eighth or midfield, Craig Clare gave some high-class displays in
marshaling the backline with good tactical sense, and experienced halfback Lindsay Horrocks was another to end the season in the ascendancy after indifferent form in the middle of the season.

Lock Sam Madams stood out in the pack for his skills in the lineout and forceful play around the field, and with Campbell Hart they dominated the Horowhenua Kapiti lineout jumpers in the final. Prop Viki Tofa was always good value and he was well supported by newcomer Hamish Mellow who gave of his best at all times. Bryn Hudson was a fine forward at number eight.

The two experienced hookers and co-captains Cole Baldwin and Roman Tutauha passed 100 games and 50 games for Wanganui respectively during the season. Baldwin announced his retirement after the final, having participated in all six of Wanganui’s Meads Cup final victories, a fine record.

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: C. Clare. C. Crowley, B. Hudson

2017 Results

Sat 28 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Meads Cup Final	Horowhenua-Kapiti	14 - 30	Match Center
Sat 21 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship (S/F) Meads Cup	South Canterbury	24 - 29	Match Center
Sat 14 Oct	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	North Otago	10 - 06	Match Center
Sat 07 Oct	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Horowhenua-Kapiti	15 - 8	Match Center
Sat 30 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	King Country	80 - 03	Match Center
Sat 23 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Mid Canterbury	40 - 39	Match Center
Sat 16 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	South Canterbury	21 - 17	Match Center
Sat 09 Sep	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Poverty Bay	25 - 14	Match Center
Sat 02 Sep	2:30 pm	A	Heartland Championship	Thames Valley	19 - 21	Match Center
Sat 26 Aug	2:30 pm	H	Heartland Championship	Wairarapa-Bush	79 - 07	Match Center
Sat 19 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Pre-Season (non-first class)	Horowhenua-Kapiti	17 - 37	Match Center
Sat 12 Aug	2:30 pm	A	Pre-Season (non-first class)	Hawkes Bay Saracens	14 - 33	Match Center
Wed 21 Jun	7:30 pm	A	Ranfurly Shield	Canterbury	71 - 05	Match Center
Wed 14 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Pre-Season (non-first class)	Manawatu Evergreens	07 - 33	Match Center
Mon 05 Jun	2:30 pm	H	Pre-Season (non-first class)	Hurricanes Development	17 - 52	Match Center

APPEARANCES For Wanganui RFU (2017)

2017 Players

			Position	PL
	Angus Middleton		Loose Forward	7
	Asalemo Malo		Fullback, Winger	1
	Bruno Tuivai		Winger	5
	Bryn Hudson		Loose Forward	11
	Cade Robinson		Flanker	1
	Cameron Crowley		Outside Back	10
	Campbell Hart		Loose Forward, Lock	6
	Cody Hemi		Outside Back, Winger	8
	Cole Baldwin		Flanker, Hooker	10
	Craig Clare		Centre, Five Eighth	10
	Dane Whale		Five Eighth	9
	Ethan Robinson		Centre	1
	Fa'alele Isoua		Midfield Back, Outside Back	1
	Fraser Hammond		Flanker, Lock	5
	Gabriel Hakaraia		Prop	6
	Hamish Mellow		Prop	9
	Jamie Hughes		Loose Forward	11
	Jona Sawailau		Fullback	7
	Josh Lane		Lock	1
	Kamipeli T. Latu		Prop	4
	Karl Parker		Hooker	5
	Kaveni Dabenaise		Midfield Back	10
	Lindsay Horrocks		Halfback	11
	Nick Harding		Centre, Fullback	9
	Peter Rowe		Flanker	1
	Raymond Salu		Prop	4
	Renato Tikoilosomone		Loose Forward	1
	Roman Tutauha		Hooker	9
	Sam Dawson		Loose Forward	5
	Sam Madams		Lock	11
	Samu Kubunavanua		Flanker, Winger	7
	Simon Dibben		Wing	8
	Sokonaia Kalou		Lock	9
	Taione Ratu		Loose Forward, Flanker	5
	Timoci Seruwalu		Midfield Back	8
	Tom Stewart		Halfback	7
	Tremaine Gilbert		Loose Forward, No. 8	10
	Viki Tofa		Prop	10
	zPenalty Try			0