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 2023 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin
Back to Year by Year Index click here
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2023 Status:
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Heartland.Championship |
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Founded 1888. Original member 1892;
name changed to Whanganui 2021 |
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President:
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J.C. (Jeff) Slight |
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Chairman:
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J.M.(Jeff) Phillips |
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Chief.Executive.Officer:
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B.S. (Bridget) Belsham |
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Coach:
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J.P. (Jason) Hamlin |
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Assistant Coach:
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Kim McNaught, P.G. (Peter) O’Shaughnessy |
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Selector:
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M.F. (Marty) McGrath (since 2014) |
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Main ground:
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Cooks Gardens , Wanganui |
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Capacity:
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15,000 |
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Colours:
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Royal Blue, Black and White |
With two defeats in their first three games, Whanganui found themselves in the unaccustomed position of eighth on the points table. From there on they found their stride and reeled off six consecutive wins for a place in the Meads Cup final for the 13th time in the 17 years of the Heartland Championship.
The 38–3 demolition of Thames Valley in the semi-final was a very impressive performance and reversed the result of their encounter in the opening game. Whanganui and South Canterbury produced a hard-fought match in the final which ended in defeat for Whanganui, 30–40, a scoreline that was similar to last year’s final between the two teams.
Coach Jason Hamlin had most of his 2022 regulars returning, although frontline players missing were Ezra Malo and Semi Vodosese (both Hawke’s Bay) and Ethan Robinson and Ben Whale (both overseas). Kameli Kuruyabaki, Tyler Rogers-Holden and Jack Yarrall did not make the final selection which underlined the talent Hamlin had at his disposal.
Apolosi Tanoa and Peceli Malanicagi were the two outside backs who stood out. Newcomer Tanoa looked very promising and scored six tries, while Malanicagi gave some good displays at both wing and fullback.
Whanganui had strength in midfield where Timoci Seruwalu was a strong second-five both on attack and defence, but the star of the backline was flying centre Alekesio Vakarororogo. His ability to create openings, together with his powerful running, netted him 13 tries, just one short of the Heartland Championship season record. His five tries against Horowhenua Kapiti equalled the Heartland Championship for most tries in a game.
Halfback Lindsay Horrocks passed his century of games for Whanganui and again rendered excellent service. He has missed only two games since his debut in the opening match of the 2013 season. Captain Dane Whale was a very astute general at first-five and his excellent goalkicking was a big asset. He showed his class in the playoffs.
Loose forwards Samu Kubunavanua, Jamie Hughes and Doug Horrocks were a very effective trio, their play around the field was of a high order on both attack and defence. Lock Josh Lane won plenty of lineout ball and Peter-Travis Hay-Horton played some fine games in the second half of the season, coming back from a head knock stand down. Matthew Ashworth was a readymade replacement for both.
Prop was well covered by Hadlee Hay-Horton, Gabriel Hakaraia, Keightley Watson, Raymond Salu and newcomer Konradd Newland. They all received good game time as injuries occurred.
Roman Tutauha played his 100th game in the semi-final, and made his usual solid contribution at hooker.
2023 Results
| Sat 14 Oct | 2:05 pm | A | Meads Cup Final |  South Canterbury |
40 - 30 | Match Center |
| Sat 07 Oct | 1:05 pm | H | Heartland Championship (S/F) Meads Cup |  Thames Valley |
38 - 3 | Match Center |
| Sat 30 Sep | 2:30 pm | H | Heartland Championship |  Horowhenua-Kapiti |
55 - 19 | Match Center |
| Sat 23 Sep | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship |  Wairarapa-Bush |
18 - 36 | Match Center |
| Sat 16 Sep | 2:30 pm | H | Heartland Championship |  Ngāti Porou East Coast |
40 - 24 | Match Center |
| Sat 09 Sep | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship |  North Otago |
19 - 34 | Match Center |
| Sat 02 Sep | 2:30 pm | H | Heartland Championship |  West Coast |
36 - 12 | Match Center |
| Sat 26 Aug | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship |  King Country |
23 - 17 | Match Center |
| Sat 19 Aug | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship |  Buller |
5 - 13 | Match Center |
| Sat 12 Aug | 2:30 pm | H | Heartland Championship | Thames Valley |
33 - 36 | Match Center |
| Sat 05 Aug | 2:30 pm | A | Pre-Season (non-first class) |  Wellington Centurions |
33 - 17 | Match Center |
| Sat 29 Jul | 2:30 pm | H | Pre-Season (non-first class) |  Hawkes Bay Saracens |
33 - 40 | Match Center |
WHANGANUI REPRESENTATIVES 2023
Name Club For Union Debut Games Points
M.T. (Matthew) Ashworth Kaierau 2020 24 24
Josaia Bogileka Marist 2019 31 31
J.A. (Joshua) Brunger Kaierau 2023 6 6
Eben Claassen Kaierau 2023 10 10
G.T.E. (Gabriel) Hakaraia Ruapehu 2016 46 46
Hadlee Hay-Horton Taihape 2020 20 20
P.T.H. (Peter-Travis) Hay-Horton Taihape 2018 27 27
Doug Horrocks Kaierau 2013 19 19
L.D. (Lindsay) Horrocks Border 2013 102 102
J.N. (Jamie) Hughes Ruapehu 2016 70 70
S.N. (Samu) Kubunavanua Marist 2014 56 56
Josh Lane Kaierau 2017 39 39
Peceli Malanicagi Kaierau 2021 17 17
Josefa Namosimalua Border 2023 10 10
K.H.R. (Konradd) Newland 1 Napier Pirates 2 2023 9 9
Sheldon Pakinga Kaierau 2023 5 5
Raymond Salu Kaierau 2019 17 17
T.S. (Timoci) Seruwalu College OB 3 2017 41 41
A.T. (Apolosi) Tanoa Kaierau 2023 10 10
Renato Tikoisolomone Border 2015 29 29
A.W. (Alesana) Tofa Marist 2023 10 10
R.B.K. (Roman) Tutauha Ruapehu 2012 101 101
Alekesio Vakarorogo Border 2020 32 32
S.F. (Silio) Waqalevu Border 2023 6 6
K.L. (Keightley) Watson Marist 2022 16 16
D.J. (Dane) Whale Taihape 2014 78 78
L.P. (Luke) Whale Taihape 2023 8 8
E.K.M. (Emmanuel) Wineera Border 2023 2 2
1. Player of Origin 2. Hawke’s Bay RU 3. Loaned by Manawatu RU
