The early rounds of the 1994 Lion Red Cup proved highly resourceful for the Waikato Country Fare Cougars — played eight, won eight.
The Round 1 encounter was originally scheduled for Nelson Park in Hastings but had to be relocated after the venue was “double-booked”, with Davies Park stepping in to accommodate the match.
Trust Bank Park in Hamilton was hired for the Round 4 clash on Sunday, 10 April — a picturesque oval-shaped venue designed specifically for international cricket in the heart of the city. The Waitakere Raiders rode into town with something of a “big brother” attitude, as teams north of the Bombays were inclined to carry. The 1pm kick-off was timed for television.
A very young Stuart “BamBam” Heslop made his first start that day while still eligible for Taniwharau Under-17s, and Darryl Beazley made his first appearance in a Cougars jersey off the bench after being released from a train-and-trial contract with the Manly Sea Eagles.
Training sessions at the newly acquired Hopuhopu Army Camp were also proving “handy” for players, and “late to training” quickly became a lame excuse for those with slack attitudes. The Tainui Trust Board was about to have the venue returned as part of the raupatu settlement. At the time, I was working for Rangi Moana Builders, which held the contract to convert former Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ mess buildings into offices, as well as refurbishing the ex-Army camp.
New Zealand Rugby League was also looking to stage age-grade tournaments at this ideal venue, which boasted six playing fields, barracks, ablution blocks, a large dining hall, parade grounds and lecture rooms.
Spectator involvement proved lukewarm for some franchises, but the Cougars were well supported, despite concerns from some supporters about the loss of players from local clubs. In the early 1990s, professionalism was still a novelty, and the paying public largely preferred the rival code.
A classic example came when Cougars directors moved home games from Davies Park to Hamilton to tap into a larger population base. One Saturday saw 20,000 spectators at Rugby Park to watch Waikato rugby take on Auckland (“the Jafas”), but the following day only around 2,500 attended the televised Cougars v Waitakere Raiders game at Trust Bank Park.
In reality, Trust Bank Park was never going to be a true home for the Cougars. The venue rarely rolled out the welcome mat. One match was even cancelled at short notice because “the pitch was being repaired”. Waikato Times reporter Terry Power wrote on 24 May 1994 that TBP chairman Ash Taylor criticised Cougar media statements, saying: “We’re most amused to see them talking in the paper about playing at TBP when they haven’t even discussed it with us.”
Lion Breweries ran a promotion in which anyone purchasing a slab of cans received a free match ticket printed on the box — little wonder the competition struggled financially in its first year.
Match-day entertainment was provided at every venue, complete with the bells and whistles that are now considered standard. At Trust Bank Park, entertainment included a synchronised lawn-mowing display, cheerleaders and food stalls, with every attendee under 15 receiving a free packet of Bluebird chips or a can of Pepsi Max at the gate. Hamilton bands Blackjack and Solitaire performed post-match, and entertainer Frankie Stevens appeared at a Wellington Dukes game at the Basin Reserve.
A travelling tackling machine, fitted with safety pads and sponsor prizes, toured league clubs nationwide for promotional events and even appeared at Davies Park. One standout supporter was Glen Afton resident Janette Green, who dressed in a full Cougars outfit displaying “paw power”. A hit with children, she also composed a team song titled Win Away.
The Cougars’ Anzac Day Round 6 clash against the Bay of Plenty Stags marked a return to Davies Park in Huntly. Stags coach Neil Joyce was making headlines with his desire to recruit firebrand Mark Geyer, who was destined to join the new Winfield Cup team, the Western Reds, in 1995. Joyce had previously worked closely with Geyer at the Canberra Raiders and was keen to secure him on a one-year contract. Cougars coach Joe Gwynne, however, insisted that a New Zealand competition did not need Geyer’s fiery style.
The match produced the competition’s first penalty try in a 46–10 Cougars victory. Singing returned to the grandstand, with conductor Janet Haggie leading supporters as the points mounted.
Off the field, the demands on players were becoming increasingly apparent. Sponsor appearances and promotional events piled up alongside day jobs. Activities included a combined training session and school muster with Bill Hargreaves in Thames, a “Meet the Cougars” fundraiser at Tūrangawaewae Marae, a barbecue on Huntly’s Main Street with local radio host Greg Haycock, promotions at Cambridge and Henderson shopping malls for major sponsor Country Fare Bakeries, and a tackle-machine contest at the Taniwharau Club.
Eventually, the inevitable happened — focus began to drift from the priority of playing football.
By Round 9, the Cougars’ eight-game winning streak came to an end with a 24–9 loss to the North Harbour Sea Eagles. Their giant forward pack rolled through Davies Park like a runaway truck. Injuries were mounting, forcing selectors to draw players from the local WRL Premier competition — a welcome opportunity for those players but one that unsettled some club supporters and coaches.
The unpredictable nature of the competition was highlighted again in Round 14 at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, where the Taranaki Rockets edged the Cougars 26–24 after trailing 12–8 at halftime.
Away trips, however, remained a highlight, strengthening bonds within the squad. The Devon Hotel on Devon Street — reputedly the longest main street in New Zealand — provided an ideal base, and travelling supporters were often present to sing their hearts out.
As the inaugural Lion Red Cup season entered the business end, the Cougars had secured second place on the ladder, guaranteeing them two lives in the playoffs.
To be continued…
Researched by Rex Hohaia – 5 November 2025
