Raetihi's All Black history

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 402, 3 September 1991, Page 17

Raetihi's All Black history

In its 90 years of rugby the Raetihi Football Club has produced one All Black, Ron Bryers, who played for New Zealand in 1949. It has also produced four Maori All Blacks, R. Bryers, R. Parr, H. Paiaka and ? Ron Bryers captained Maoris against Manawata on September 21, 1946. The team won by 14 points to 11. This team went on to defeat Australia, by 20 points to nii, at Hamilton on September 25. Howard Paiaka played for the New Zealand Maoris in 1957. Paiaka was 21 years of age, 6' tall, and weighed 14.9 stone. The team made an intcmal tour of the country piaying two tests against the touring Fijian side. The team defeated Horowhenua by 42 points to 8; lost to Fiji in the first test at Wellington, by 13 points to 36, defeated North Otago at Oamaru by 18 points to 6, and

again lost in the second test ;by 8 points to 17. Howard played two games for the Maori XV and during the tour scored eight points. Ray Parr has been a key figure in Raetihi rugby for several years. He has played many seasons of senior rugby for the club. The highlight of his career was the ycar he played for the Maori All Blacks in 1955. Ray was 24 years old, 5'10", and weighed in at 13.7 stone. The 1955 New Zealand Maori team made an intemal tour of the country and during that time played three matches. Ray Parr played one game for the team. The team defeated King Country, at Otorohonga, by 21 points to 11, lost to Thames Valley by 14 points to 7, at Thames, and won their last match against Auckland by 19 points to 7. Other well-known men played for the Raetihi Club. 1949 All

Blacks Des O'Donnell came to Raetihi from Wellington and played a very important role as coach of the senior team for many years. Legendary All Black Frank Mitchenson represented Raetihi after he moved to the township from Wellington. Norm Scarrow and Fred Baddely represented the N.Z. Army team. And in modern times the team had players the

likes of W.J. Trusttum, the Haitanas, Neil Mitchinson, Leo Michalick and Bundai Taku....just a few names which spring to mind. For a small club Raetihi has had a fair share of successes within its ranks. Ron Bryers was also fortunate to tour with the team to Australia in 1949. The team won nirie matches, drew one, and lost one. In the first

test, they won 12-3, the second test they drew 8all, and in the third they lost 18-3. Ron played five games and scored a total of nine points. On their retum to New Zealand the team played Auckland and lost six points to nine. In 1949 Ron also represented the New Zealand All Blacks at 29. The team lost to Australia by six points to 11.