U21'S TROPHIES 

Arthur Bayliss was one of those whose devotion to the game came in the committee rooms rather than on the paddock; he left no glowing playing legacy.

Arthur Bayliss died in 1961, and the trophy bearing his name was first contested the following year. While he was one of those people who was always around, his main contribution to the running of Auckland rugby was 40 years in the past; he had been involved either side of World War I and was the treasurer immediately afterwards. After stepping aside from that job at the 1923 AGM, he was appointed Hon Auditor, rather as his predecessor, Jack Arneil, had been some years before. His Life Membership, one of three bestowed in 1923, was for a variety of achievements rather than a prolonged effort in one particular area.

The Whetton family has made a large contribution to Auckland rugby over three generations, but the brothers referred to in the trophy name are the biggest names on the family roll, and still well remembered by a generation of fans lucky enough to see them at their peak.

The family torch was being carried by Gary and Alan, the two whose performances put their names on this trophy. Although Ponsonby would no doubt loved to have had them, the brothers played their entire club careers for Grammar Old Boys and are two of the many victims of the immense strength of Auckland club rugby in their time, as despite their (and others’) best efforts, Grammar never won the Gallaher Shield during their careers.

The brothers are twins, born on 15 December 1959, and naturally their rise more or less followed similar paths although Gary was always the first to make his mark at each level. Gary eventually played 178 matches for Auckland and Alan 150, while Alan played 65 games for New Zealand to his brother’s 101. They were each significant figures in Auckland’s record-breaking 61-match Ranfurly Shield era - Gary as captain for almost all the time, and Alan as one of the finest loose forwards in the game.

They each played significant roles in the 1987 World Cup win; they both played all six matches and Alan scored tries in each of the first five, while Gary was one of the unstoppable forces in an overwhelming All Black tight five.

Wilson Whineray was recognised as one of New Zealand’s great captains during his playing days, and that lustre has not dimmed since he retired after leading New Zealand to a 3-1 win over South Africa in 1965. He was sometimes believed to hold his place due to his leadership rather than playing ability, but Whineray’s critics never managed to either name a better player or make a case for his weakening what was an all-star pack. Why not? Simply because he was an excellent test-quality prop throughout his career.

Auckland born and raised, Whineray played first-class rugby for three provinces as a teenager while undertaking a Rural Cadetship, after making his debut at age 17. At 21 he made his All Black debut in 1957 and in 1958 named All Black captain, when he was just 23, his was the first long-term appointment ever and proved extremely successful. He led teams to South Africa, Australia and Britain, as well as leading the team in six home series; his only losses in 30 tests as skipper were the 1960 series in South Africa (1-2, with one draw) and three of the home tests (one each in 1958, 1959 and 1965). 

He was involved with many community projects over time, and it could truly be said that he was one of this country’s leading citizens. He was made an OBE in 1963 (a rare thing while still an active player), named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 1965 when only the supreme award was made, knighted in 1998 for services to sport and business, and inducted to the IRB Hall of Fame in 2007. He was Patron of the New Zealand Rugby Union from 2003 until his death, which occurred on 22 October 2012.

Stan Foster was a Life Member of the Eden club, who was a part of that organisation almost all his long life. First joining as a young boy in 1930, he never played for anyone else although he never was more than a club footballer, and then became involved in administration. He held just about every position in the club, including that of auditor, and nothing he touched was left anything but better for his involvement.

He was a foundation member of the Eden Rugby Club Old Boys Association and, eventually, a Life Member of that body  - hardly surprisingly, as he was part of it for the last 62 years of his life. 

Perhaps his biggest contribution to Auckland rugby - although it has a great deal to beat - is the primary schools' tournament he started back in 1967. Originally played at Eden’s home ground, Gribblehirst Park, it grew until it had to be rehoused at War Memorial Park, a much bigger facility, when the numbers became too large for the one-pitch Eden ground to handle. And the tournament became a full-day affair rather than simply an afternoon of footy.

Stan Foster died on 15 December 2014, aged 94. Hardly surprisingly, his memorial service was held at the venue he did so much to promote, the Eden Rugby clubrooms.