Hawkes Bay Rugby Museum

Shattered to hear of the passing of Bruce Hutchins. Bruce was a staunch Celtic man and often ribbed me because of my allegiance to Taradale.
We often traded programmes and there was also good banter.
I cannot express how sad I am for his family, his workmates, his friends, and fellow collectors.
RIP bro. You were a great man and no way will you ever be forgotten.

There's no way you could ask for a better start to the NPC.
To go to the Capital and put 50 on Wellington, turn around and do the same thing to Tasman is very encouraging.
So we get carried away? NO.
There's big games to come and while this team can win them they have to stay grounded and focused.
The signs are there, and all the imports that have played have really added a lot.
I'd like to see our forward pack really go to work in a game, just to show we are not one dimensional.
Hopefully we roll on and C'mon the Bay.

The NPC is not that far away, and it looks like we definitely have lost a few dam good players. Pouri Rakete Stones, Isia Walker-Leaware, those 2 are definite. Devan Flanders, possibly going to Japan, Tom Parsons probable retirement.
On the up side Bailyn Sullivan it seems is coming home, Hugh Renton is hopefully back, and hopefully we'll resign Tyrone Thompson. I haven't heard of anyone else, so if somebody knows of anyone it would be good to know.

Very saddened to hear this morning of the passing of Grant Mitchison. Grant played quite a few games for Wanganui before transferring to Hawkes Bay. His Grandfather Frank was also the longest surviving All Black at one time. Grant played for Celtic in the Bay and was known as a tough no nonsense type of forward. I remember talking to a work mate Jim Edwards himself a tough bastard who said Mitch was the toughest he played against, simply because he could dish it out and take it without whinging. Mitch played at No 8 but mainly Lock for Hawkes Bay. Would he be considered a Magpie great? No. BUT if you were picking a team that worked there arse off, stood no bu****it, and never gave up Mitch would be in it. Sincere Condolences to his family, and the now amalgamated Celtic club. Rest in peace Mitch.

So this year our 2 big imports were Zarn Sullivan and Miracle Faialagi. Both more than earnt it. Zarn was Rock Solid, the skills he has is insane, his boot reminds me of Warren Johnson. I'm hoping his presence might bring his brother Balyn back home. Miracle was simply devastating. Run at him, and you get folded in half. And he'll simply run over the top of you which he did during the season. Cooper Flanders showed he is fully capable of progressing further in the game, and he will, and Sam Smith coming back from injury was straight back to top form.

Well that's another season done. And when you look at it, it was a pretty darn good one. Auckland, Counties, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Wellington, Otago, North Harbour, Taranaki, all beaten. Top four in the Country. By any measure that's a bloody good effort. Who stays and who goes we don't know yet. Hopefully Parsons goes around again, Malan improved out of sight, Paenga-Morgan has a s**t load of talent.Fomai and Lowe both played bloody well, and Fialagi was a great addition.
Player of the year.
Devan Flanders followed very closely by Folau Fokatava.
Most improved Le Roux Malan.
Most Promising Paenga-Morgan.
Can't wait for 2026.

Wow. That was one hell of a quarter final. Taranaki came out breathing fire, and should have been points up in fact a fair few, but the Black and White wall wouldn't crumble. How they held out I'll never know. And then when they got there chances they took them. Fokatava, Smith, Griggs, Malan and of course Zarn Sullivan were just outstanding. Great game, great crowd. Bring on the Semis.

That's a good performance by the Bay. Not just the tries, but the defence was brilliant. Good to get a win for Tom on his 100th. And who is this young fella Paenga-Morgan in the midfield. I like the look of this young fella. He's very sound defensively, and doesn't die with ball. Him and Ripley were both outstanding.

Very saddened to hear of the passing of Hawkes Bay Rugby great Robbie Stuart.

Robbie played his first game for Hawkes Bay in 1967 against Otago at the age of 19. He was then playing for Tech Old Boys in Napier, and was a member of the great Bay team of the 60s.

He played his last game in 1979, ending his career at 112 games for Hawkes Bay and many as the Captain.

Robbie also played for the North Island as Captain in 1976 and playing as prop.

Robbie was also a stalwart of Central Hawkes Bay Rugby, and played for Waipukurau Old Boys.

He finally made the All Blacks in 1977 when the All Blacks toured France. He Captained the side in two games,and came on in one of the tests again as a prop.

He also played one season in South Africa, and missed one due to injury.
Robbie Stuart will be remembered as a player, who wore the Hawkes Bay Jersey proudly and with honour.

Robbie was and always will be a true Hawkes Bay Rugby Legend.
May he Rest in Peace.

Received these as part of a delivery from Ben Larmer. It's amazing what names you find when you look back at College Teams. Check those teams out. A huge Thank you to Ben for sending these, they will be well looked after.