The 1994 inaugural Lion Red Cup season had only just wound up (North Harbour beat Counties in the Grand Final at Carlaw Park on 25th September) and the 1995 season was already being planned here in the Waikato.
Much consternation existed amongst the cut and thrust of the corporate ‘bean counters’ about the rumoured debts incurred but, on the ground, the players and coaches were busy preparing for the upcoming season, regardless of what the ‘powers that be’ may decide.
A six-team trial day at the Hopuhopu Army Camp on Sunday 20 November was planned to allow ‘other’ potential players to impress second term Head Coach Joe Gwynne. Local Coaches Steve Berryman Snr, Hori Maipi, Pat Tupaea, Maurice Berryman, Paul King and George Tukere were allocated teams for the day and a great family event unfolded.
A special invite-only breakfast at the Huntly South RL clubrooms (where the Image Day Care centre is now) would see Kiwi Coach Frank Endacott and ‘new’ NZRL President Graham Carden, met Cougars Supporters Club President Sue Tawhai, District Council Mayor Angus McDonald and Deputy Mayor Ian Kimpton along with the 1994 Directors and sundry business owners from Huntly and surrounding areas, to give all assurances that a team in the Waikato and Davies Park were both in the 1995 season itinerary. Even local National MP Rob Storey added weight to the debate. The 1994 Country Fare Bakeries sponsorship had run its course and the company General Manager John McCombe said they “activated an escape clause” and abandoned the final two years of its original (signed) three-year contract. Cougar Business Manager Lance Sheeran resigned as did Director/father Roy. Whilst a much-reduced salary cap was allocated, there was still the potential for another sponsor to be involved. To this point, Tainui Maori Trust Board spokesman Bob Mahuta indicated that the ‘Board’ was prepared to provide financial support – and so it came to be.
A headline in the Huntly Press on 24 January 1995 read; TAINUI TO BACK COUGARS. Trust Board secretary John Te Maru stated; “We are looking at sponsoring the Cougars this year as we see encouraging sport and our peoples’ involvement in it as a positive move. It’s what we like to do, keeps us fit and our young people out of mischief”.
The newly appointed 1995 Waikato Cougars Board of Directors were; Ian Kimpton (Chair), Nath Pritchard (Sec), Rick Muru, Robert Simpson, Janet Haggie, Bob Tukiri along with TTB Financial Advisor Niwa Nuri and General Manager Ariel Metekingi.
The playing roster changed for 1995 also. ‘Gone’ were the likes of Gavin Hill and Martin Moana who were now with the DB Bitter Auckland Warriors, Glen (30 tackles a game!) Boyd had moved to Wellington to begin studying for Masters’ Degree in Leisure and Management and maybe ‘kit up’ for the Dukes, Blake Gilbert decided on a ‘sabbatical’, Francis Leota was ‘holding out’ until he was paid, Paul Rishworth went AWOL (with a genuine reason!), Tukere Barlow was with Warrington in the UK, TJ Hemana was trailing for the Western Reds (another new Winfield Cup team) in Perth, rugby convert George Kaiwhare returned to the ‘dark side’ and the Lion Red Roadshow was consigned to the history file. The radio rounds, community events, fan engagements and promotional duties continued though and one such ‘event’ was a benefit match attended by over 400 spectators at Hopuhopu in February 95 for former Waikato rep Hurinui Muru who was seriously injured in a car accident. Another ‘event’ was an invite by Shell Circle K Manageress Helen Carter, to attend the official opening of her Huntly business along with Shortland Street TV stars, where autographs were signed, windscreens were washed and giveaways handed out to all and sundry.
Evergreen Turangawaewae stalwart Hekewaru Muru was anointed interim captain until the late return of Tukere Barlow. New recruits included Greg ‘Pin Up’ Bright, Ben ‘Pinetree’ Ransfield, Mark ‘Tank’ Woods and his Fiat Bambino ‘Kermit’ (which required a never-ending supply of petrol vouchers. He, Pinetree and Porsche travelled from Rotorua), Jody ‘Cowboy’ Brewer, Butch ‘Sundance’ Tua, Kirk ‘Coona Snr’ Clune, Jamie ‘Duplicate’ Muru, Brent ‘Peachy’ Whitiora, Fred ‘Shogun’ Morunga, were all to become household names during the season. Kelvin ‘Shorty’ Cox became the ‘shortest’ player of all time in Cougar colours. NZRL Kiwi trainer Willie ‘on the Board’ Ford officially became an integral component of Team Management and as well as studying for a Masters Degree in Business Studies, he introduced some next level training methods that had never been seen around the WRL club scene before. A couple of other warm-up/trial games were played against Richmond Rovers and Otara Scorpions before Head Coach Gwynne selected the Round 1 side to play Waitakere City Raiders at Davies Park Huntly on 19 March 1995. Waikato rep and fourteen (14) test ex Kiwi from the 1960s/early 70s Bill Deacon, was called on for a VIP ‘kick off’ and the second-year Lion Red Cup was under way. The team for Round 1 was; 1. Bright, 2. Mark Eriksen, 3. Muru, 4. Cox, 5. Stuart Heslop, 6. Dean Hemopo, 7. Aaron Tucker, 8. Mike Thompson, 9. Tua, 10. Nathan York, 11. Brewer, 12. Ransfield, 13. Clune. Reserves – James Koopu, Terry Clune, Tama Hohaia, Woods.
The 1995 season rolled on with all the excitement of the first year. The Cougars Supporters Club was growing in numbers but gone were a few of the original sponsors and sponsor freebies. Hotel conference rooms and pre-match meals that we enjoyed in 1994 were consigned to the history archives also – ouch! as was big bonus salaries for Head Coaches and Development Officers ouch! ouch! Many businesses like match-day food vendors and clothing supplies were badly ‘burnt’ and a much more watered-down competition unfolded.
The big event on the 1995 calendar though was an action-packed doubleheader extravaganza at Davies Park Huntly featuring a NZ Maori v Waikato and Waikato Cougars v France. The visiting ‘Tricolours’ team who were timed to arrive in New Zealand mid-season for a four (4) game, two (2) match test series, were scheduled a warm-up game against the Cougars on Tuesday 6 June and the town businesses had decked their shops out in the red, blue and white of France and held a Market Day. The last international side to grace the hallowed turf was Great Britain in 1990 and the Cougars went into the match having recorded a six (6) win, three (3) loss tally and sitting in fourth place in the Lion Red Cup. A second tier Waikato team played a NZ Maori team selected from the LR competition.
Sadly, there were a couple of ‘issues’ with the otherwise memorable day – the team suffered a humiliating loss; 24-2 and Cougar team masseuse, Bessie ‘Mother Earth’ Kingi had her gear stolen from her Pontiac Le Mans car…. sad chaps!!
…. to be continued
Researched by Rex Hohaia
26 November 2025
