waggawaratastg 29/01/2026

Preamble: For Waratahs the 1st XV season commenced on the 24th of April and concluded after 12 Rounds on the 14th of August. Seven clubs who fielded teams: Army, Cootamundra, Teacher's College, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Wagga Waratahs, Yanco. Waratahs were scoreless on five occasions; the biggest losses were to Wagga City and WAC. Of the twenty-five players, Ian Lamont, Ian Kendall and Mark Gooden played the most Rounds on 11, closely followed by Vernon Kurrle, Austin Kurrle, John Mahon, Mick Millard, Bob Neich, Stephen Donelan, Rick Martin and S Curtis. The 1971 1st XV Premiers were Wagga City...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 29/01/2026

Preamble: The 1st XV season for Waratahs commenced on the 2nd May and concluded on the 29th of August. Of the thirty-two players listed in the 1st XV register, only 19 players donned the 1st XV jersey, which also included several players from the 19 registered 2nd XV players. Players who played all 14 rounds were Justin O'Brien, Rick Martin, Chris Gooden, Ian Lamont, Geoff Hobbs, John Rodham, Bill Hayes, Vernon Kurrle, Peter Cripps, John Fowler, Austin Kurrle and Bill Beatty. According to Club records the 1st XV competition included Army, Cootamundra, Teachers College, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Wagga...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 18/12/2025

Preamble: According to the Waratahs Rugby Football Club Player Register 1959-1995 there were fewer teams and fewer rounds in the 1st XV, 1969 season. The season commenced on 26 April 1969 and the last round for Waratahs was played on 16 August 1969 against Army (11th round). Jim Lenehan coached. The following clubs participated: Army, Cootamundra, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Waratahs. Wagga City Rugby Club were the 1st XV Premiers (Byrnes Cup). The Waratahs 1st XV would have to wait until 1977 for their next premiership. In the 2nd XV competition, the following clubs participated: Albury, Army, Cootamundra, Griffith, Wagga Agricultural...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 19/11/2025

Preamble: The 1968 season commenced with Round 1 on 20 April 1968. There were 16 Rounds for the season proper followed by the semi-finals, finals and the grand final on the 21 August 1968. According to the Waratahs Rugby Club Player Register, nine clubs fielded teams in the 1st XV: Army, Cootamundra, Teacher's College, Temora, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Waratahs, West Wyalong and Yanco. Ten clubs participated in the 2nd XV competition: Albury, Army, Cootamundra, Griffith, R.A.A.F., Teacher's College, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Waratahs and Yanco. 1968 would be Dud Taylor's last year as President, a position he...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 18/11/2025

Preamble: In the pre-season, Waratahs won the West Wyalong Knockout. The 1967 1st XV season comprised 18 Rounds games followed by the semi-finals and finals. The grand final was played on 16 September. Ten clubs participated: Army, Cootamundra, Teacher's College, Temora, WAC, Wagga City, Waratahs, West Wyalong, Yanco and Young. Cootamundra continued to be a force during the season which culminated with Waratahs playing them in the semi and grand final. Nine clubs fielded a 2nd XV which included Griffith and Albury. Young and West Wyalong did not field a 2nd XV. The photo of Bill Hayes, Hugh Dodwell and...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 30/10/2025

Preamble: The 1966 season commenced on 16 April and comprised 16 Rounds, followed by semi-finals, finals and the Grand Final which was played on 17 September. Nine clubs participated in the 1st XV competition and 11 clubs in the 2nd XV competition. Waratahs fielded a 1st XV and a 2nd XV. Twenty-nine players donned the 1st XV jersey, and twenty-four in second grade. Many 1st & 2nd XV players played both grades. Army were the 2nd XV premiers and Wagga Agricultural College the Club Champions. As the 1960s draws to a close, it might be timely to share some photos...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 29/10/2025

Preamble: The 1965 1st XV 18 Round competition commenced on the 4 April and concluded with the Grand Final on 18 September. Cootamundra joined the competition bringing the number of teams to ten. Waratahs entered a 1st XV and a 2nd XV. Waratahs were the Byrnes Cup 1st XV winners and Wagga City the David Jones Shield 2nd XV premiers. Teacher's College retained the Wal Blake Club Championship for the 7th consecutive season.Twenty-four names appear in the Waratahs Rugby Football Club Player's Register 1959-1995 as having played in the 1st XV. In addition to the names listed in the article...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 14/10/2025

Preamble: The competition was expanded to include West Wyalong Rugby Club, bringing the number of teams to nine. The season comprised 16 Round games and commenced on the 18 April and concluded with the Grand Final on the 19 September 1964. Waratahs won 13 matches and lost three: once to Wagga City and twice to Teacher's College. Waratahs played Army in the first and last Rounds, in the semi-final and grand final winning all four games. According to the Waratahs Rugby Football Club Players Register 1959-1995, twenty-four players donned the Waratahs jersey during the season for the 1st XV, and...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 13/10/2025

Preamble: The 1963 season commenced on the 20 April and comprised 14 Rounds. The last Round game was played on the 24 August, followed by the semi-finals and grand finals. Teams included Ag College, Army, Griffith, Teacher's College, Temora, Wagga City, Waratahs and Young. For Waratahs, 27 players took to the field throughout the season, and as an indication of how challenging their year was, only 11 players played 10 or more games, and the same number played 5 or less games. Teacher's College retained the Club Championship for the fifth consecutive year. Wagga City were the Premiers; breaking Waratahs'...

The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Inc. 22/08/2025

1961 Premiers 1961 started with Roger Ward, a school teacher from Balldale, who travelled many miles with Beres Ellwood from Berrigan to play. Ward and newcomer Bob Stewart joined to become a potent backline combination. Bob had very good hands, a deft little kick over the backs and was a safe defender. With Tate Heggaton's excellent service Bob was able to set up the backline which comprised Beres Ellwood, Col Wood, Lynton Gooden, Roger Ward and Jim Lenehan. Under the mentoring of Mick Millard, Dave Heckendorf developed into an excellent all-round player. He was very good in the lineouts and...