WEST COAST RFU – 2004

. Season 2004	2004 Status: Third Division ....Founded 1890..Affiliated 1893 President: I.Hourston Chairman: W.A.Leach Chief.Executive.Officer: M.Connors Coach: K.D.Hansen Assistant Coach: P.B.Mac .Main.ground: .Rugby Park, Greymouth Capacity: .8,000 Colours: .Red and white hoops. red shorts. red socks with white tops

A convincing 23-0 win over neighbours Buller and a historic win over King Country were highlights of West Coast’s season. In the final game the team put in a good performance against the eventual champions, Poverty Bay, despite the 24-53 score line.

The Rundle Cup was gained when Buller was beaten 18 – 13 in a pre-NPC match and in another non-first class match the Coast was well beaten 125 – 7 by New Zealand Universities. Kelly Hansen, a former Canterbury rep and brother of the All Black assistant coach Steve, was promoted to coach and his assistant was former North Auckland and Taranaki rep Peter Mac.

Luke O’Donnell returned to the union after playing in South Canterbury the previous year and became the regular fullback. Two schoolboys were on the wings, Leighton Bill and Manu Weepu, a cousin of the new All Black halfback. The experience pairing of Iowane Seru and Daniel Tauwhare formed the midfield combination and inside them was Anthony Lawry with Wiremu Gray at halfback.

Peter Nicholls was again the captain and led the side well in every game. Chris Connors, Joe Nasalo and Hadleigh Smith were regular loose forwards and Warren Rean was at lock. Rean’s locking partner was either Verran Robertson or Nicholls. Matt Kerr was the regular hooker with John Alexander, Tony Oliver, Gordon Iafeta and Drew Davies sharing the prop positions.

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WEST COAST TEAM RECORD 2004

Played 9 , Won 3 , Lost 6 , Points for 155 , Points against 405
* National Championship Games

THIRD DIVISION	P	W	D	L	Pts
Poverty Bay	7	5	–	2	27
Wairarapa Bush	7	5	1	1	26
Mid-Canterbury	7	5	–	2	23
Horowhenua-Kapiti	7	4	1	2	22
King Country	7	3	1	3	16
South Canterbury	7	2	1	4	12
West Coast	7	2	–	5	10
Buller	7	–	–	7	3

Pre Season v Buller (Rundle Cup) , Greymouth Won 18 – 13

Pre Season v New Zealand Universities , Greymouth Lost 7 – 125