With three premierships under their belt, Waratahs welcomed new players Frank Austin, Fred Horsley from Mundarlo, John Bull from Narrandera, Mick McLachlan, Dudley Taylor, John Walker and John Stewart. Waratahs won eleven successive games before being beaten by Army.

During the season Jim Lenehan played four tests against New Zealand and captained NSW against New Zealand in an epic win. Beres Ellwood also played in this game as well as playing five test matches against New Zealand. Both players were away for the grand final but the team triumphed without them, defeating Wagga City in extra time.

In early April a New Zealand rugby union team from Hamilton, Waikato, played a match against the Combined Riverina Rugby Union team at the Cricket Ground. The Riverina team included Waratahs’ players who had played for Combined NSW Country – Jim Lenehan (Captain-Coach), Bob Stewart, Luxton Walker and Phil Bassingthwaighte.

Later the same month the Riverina Rugby Union team played the semi-finals against the Central North side from Tamworth in the Country Rugby Union carnival at Chatswood. Waratahs’ players included in the team were Jim Lenehan (Captain), Roger Ward, Lynton Gooden, Bob Stewart, Mark Gooden, Phil Bassingthwaighte and Luxton Walker. Jim Lenehan injured his thigh during the game.

In his first match of the season, Beres Ellwood played brilliantly. He had the Waratahs backline running with speed and brilliance and kicked six goals during the game. The Waratahs forwards, led by Phil Bassingthwaighte, gave their backs an abundance of ball. Half, Tate Heggaton combined very effectively with five-eight, Bob Stewart. Fast winger, Roger Ward, showed impressive form when he made a 40-yard run through the defence and scored an excellent try. Mick Millard also made a dashing run to score a try.³⁰ 

Jim Lenehan and Beres Ellwood were among three Wagga players selected in the NSW Rugby Union team to play the All Blacks in Sydney on 19 May. Jim Lenehan captained the team. It must have been a strong team as Ken Catchpole was selected as a reserve! In their first victory since 1947 NSW narrowly defeated the All Blacks 12-11. Some of the spectators were so excited they jumped the fence and ‘chaired’ the team off the field.

Griffith was a worthy opponent, and Waratahs had to dig deep to come from behind and win their match 22-18. Beres Ellwood and Jim Lenehan were playing a test match in Brisbane, so the team was not at full strength. Jim Wright had a magnificent game during which he scored three tries, a penalty goal and two conversions for a total of 17 points.

Midway through June, Waratahs and Teachers College were the competition leaders. Waratahs defeat of Ag College was their ninth win of the season. With Jim Lenehan, Ben Purcell, Jim Wright, it was difficult to see any team capable of beating them. 

Waratahs trounced Teachers College 24-0 in a brilliant display of football for their tenth successive win. Beres Ellwood, the Australian inside centre, had a magnificent game. It would be difficult to single out the best players for Waratahs as all 15 played magnificent football. The one player who did a magnificent job was Mick Millard who at times was bombarded with kicks but never faltered. His tackling was first class.³¹

Waratahs maintained their undefeated record when they easily defeated West Wyalong. They played without their representatives Jim Lenehan, Beres Ellwood and Phil Bassingthwaighte, in addition to a number of other regular 1st XV players. The team had developed a strong nucleus of reserves. Waratahs scored eight tries, three of them from Dave Heckendorf.

Waratahs’ first defeat of the season occurred when a determined Army, the better team on the day, had a decisive 19-9 win. Waratahs were without a number of their regular team and Army took full advantage of mistakes.

Waratahs narrowly defeated Teachers College in the first semi-final match. For Jim Lenehan and Bere Ellwood this was their last match before leaving for the NZ tour with the Wallabies. The best forward on the ground was hooker, John Stewart.

Leading into the grand final Waratahs had only lost one match and the team was confident they would retain their premiership. They had a wealth of experience and ability in the team. Luxton Walker, Phil Bassingthwaighte, Mark Gooden, Bob Stewart, Lynton Gooden and Roger Ward had played in the Combined Riverina side which won the NSW Country Championship early in the year. These six players formed a solid nucleus which had been the basis for the Waratahs’ success. City and Waratahs were old rivals and the atmosphere was sure to bring out the best in every player.

The grand final was one of the hardest games of the season with each side only scoring one try and a penalty in the 80 minutes. City played magnificently and Waratahs had to fight hard to avoid defeat. From the outset City attacked and neither side could get the upper hand with the score 6-6 at the bell. In 20 minutes of extra time Waratahs defeated City 16-9 to claim their fourth successive premiership. The best players for Waratahs were R. Stewart, V. Heggaton, C. Wood, M. Gooden, P. Bassingthwaighte, M. Millard, J. Stewart and L. Walker.

The Byrnes Cup was presented by the mayor of Wagga, Ald I. J. Jack. The best and fairest award (an electric razor) was awarded to Bob Stewart. Annual subscription was set at £2/2/-.

1962 Team: Frank Austin, Phil Bassingthwaighte, John Bull, Beres Ellwood, Lynton Gooden, Mark Gooden, Tate Heggaton, Dave Heckendorf, Fred Horsley, Jim Lenehan, M McLaughlin, Mick Millard, Ben Purcell, Lloyd Ryan, Bob Stewart, John Stewart, D Taylor, Luxton Walker, John Walker, Roger Ward, Col Wood, Jim Wright.

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015
^{30 The Daily Advertiser 7 May 1962
31 The Daily Advertiser 25 June 1962}

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