West Coast rugby team, 1961

West Coast rugby team, 1961. Winners of the Rundle Cup and Seddon Shield.

Back row (left to right): J.H. Wood, J.P. Maughan, C.J.P. McPherson, I.N. MacRae, A.J. Lindbom, T.E. Rogers, C.J. Nightingale, D.W. Bergman, E. Thomas, B.L. Ross.

Middle row (left to right): J.F. Pegley (Manager), R. Richardson, S.N. Morton (Captain), M.R. Bunt (President W.C.R.U.), B. Watkin (Vice-President W.C.R.U.), T.N. McAra (Vice-Captain), J.A.L. Wright, E.G. Walker (Coach-Selector).

Front row: (left to right): G.R. Keehan, W.T. Ryall, B.J. Vieceli, C.A. Hibbs, M.W. Gooch, A.J. Goodall, J.M. Eathorne.

The Rundle Cup is one of the oldest of nearly 40 trophies at stake between provinces in New Zealand rugby. The West Coast and Buller unions competed for the Molloy Cup from 1896 until it was replaced by the Rundle Cup in 1911. Another significant trophy in the upper South Island is the Seddon Shield, a challenge trophy contested by representative teams from Buller, Nelson Bays, Marlborough and West Coast since 1906. It was named in honour of the former premier – and longtime Coaster – Richard John Seddon.