Te Tuahu Wikiriwhi

In the mid 1950’s the Rotorua Rugby Sub Union was particularly strong, it held most of the trophies played for in the Bay if Plenty Waikato area. Some of the prominent players of the day included Bill Gray, Angus Douglas, Ray Keepa and many other fine footballers whose names escape me at the moment.

When matches were played Spider Wikiriwhi acted as the unofficial cheer leader. He would prance up and down the sideline encouraging the team and spectators with his haka, rolling eyes and shouts. The crowd and the players loved it. He was a real character. I left Rotorua in 1958 and my contact with Rotorua rugby and Spider came to an end.