1977 National Provincial Championship

The 1977 season was the second year of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), a provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand. Canterbury were the winners of Division 1, thus claiming the title of national champions.

Division 1

Relegated to Division Two

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
1	Canterbury	10	10	0	0	190	81	+109	30	20
2	Counties	10	8	0	2	254	94	+160	42	16
3	Auckland	10	6	0	4	166	164	+2	20	12
4	Manawatu	10	6	0	4	152	95	+57	20	12
5	Hawke's Bay	10	5	0	5	160	174	−14	20	10
6	Taranaki	10	5	0	5	142	123	+19	14	10
7	Wellington	10	5	0	5	155	146	+9	25	10
8	Otago	10	4	0	6	149	171	−22	17	8
9	Southland	10	4	0	6	131	132	−1	13	8
10	Bay of Plenty	10	2	0	8	144	283	−139	18	4
11	Marlborough	10	0	0	10	90	270	−180	12	0

Results

May

25 May 1977

Marlborough	3–12	Canterbury
Pen: Ray Gordon (1/4)	[1]	Try: Scott Cartwright Andy Jefferd Alex Wyllie Con: Richard Wilson (0/3) Pen: Richard Wilson (0/4)

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim Referee: Graeme Harrison (Wellington)

28 May 1977

Wellington	15–12	Manawatu
Try: Warwick Procter Paul Quinn Con: Richard Cleland (2/2) Pen: Richard Cleland (1/1)	[1]	Try: Mark Donaldson Brian Morris Con: Kenneth Granger (2/2)

Athletic Park, Wellington

31 May 1977

Auckland	24–19	Hawke's Bay
Try: Mike Richards Maurice Trapp Con: Steve Watt (2/2) Pen: Steve Watt (4/4)	[1]	Try: Bruce Dunstan Ken Taylor Con: Hepa Paewai (1/2) Pen: Hepa Paewai (2/2) Drop: Hepa Paewai (1/1)

Eden Park, Auckland

June

6 June 1977

Marlborough	12–27	Wellington
Try: Lucky Macdonald Con: Kevin Sutherland (1/1) Pen: Kevin Sutherland (2/2)	[1]	Try: Bernie Fraser (2) Ian May Clive Currie Con: Richard Cleland (4/4) Drop: John Dougan (1/1)

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

14 June 1977

Taranaki	18–10	Wellington
Try: Ross Fraser John O'Sullivan Con: Stephen Davidson (2/2) Pen: Stephen Davidson (2/2)	[1]	Try: Andy Leslie Con: Clive Currie (0/1) Pen: Clive Currie (2/2)

Hicks Park, Hāwera

25 June 1977

Counties	24–3	Hawke's Bay
Try: Patrick Yates Alan Dawson Mark Codlin Andy Dalton Con: Mark Codlin (1/3) Pen: Mark Codlin (2/2)	[1]	Pen: Murray Tocker (1/1)

Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe

July

2 July 1977

Canterbury	4–3	Manawatu
Try: John Ashworth Con: Richard Wilson (0/1)	[1]	Pen: Doug Rollerson (1/1)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch

5 July 1977

Auckland	10–14	Counties
Try: Andy Haden Con: Barry Riley (0/1) Pen: Barry Riley (1/1) Drop: Perry Parlane (1/1)	[1]	Try: Peter Goldsmith Peter Clotworthy Con: Mark Codlin (0/2) Pen: Mark Codlin (1/1) Buff Milner (1/1)

Eden Park, Auckland

16 July 1977

Manawatu	21–22	Auckland
Try: Paul Broederlow Gary Knight Con: Mike Banks (2/2) Pen: Mike Banks (3/3)	[1]	Try: Tim Twigden (2) Bryan Williams Con: Steve Watt (2/2) Pen: Steve Watt (2/2)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North

20 July 1977

Taranaki	37–4	Marlborough
Try: Stephen Davidson Peter White Peter Fleming Graham Mourie Ross Fraser Con: Stephen Davidson (4/5) Pen: Stephen Davidson (3/3)	[1]	Try: Brian Ford Con: Steve Marfell (0/1)

Rugby Park, New Plymouth

23 July 1977

Bay of Plenty	29–20	Marlborough
Try: Alan McNaughton Peter Kingi Eddie Stokes Greg Rowlands Tony Compton Con: Greg Rowlands (3/5) Drop: John Brake (1/1)	[1]	Try: Brian Ford Mark Best Ross Rendel Con: Steve Marfell (1/1) Pen: Steve Marfell (1/1) Drop: Brian Hunter (1/1)

Rugby Park, Rotorua

27 July 1977

Bay of Plenty	0–22	Manawatu
	[1]	Try: Kenneth Granger Murray Watts Mark Wright Con: Mike Banks (2/3) Pen: Mike Banks (2/2)

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

August

2 August 1977

Southland	22–7	Marlborough
Try: Steven Pokere Sam Anderson Con: Brian McKechnie (1/2) Pen: Brian McKechnie (3/3) Jeffrey Gardiner (1/1)	[1]	Try: Bill Stephenson Con: Kevin Sutherland (0/1) Pen: Kevin Sutherland (1/1)

Rugby Park, Invercargill

6 August 1977

Hawke's Bay	25–17	Manawatu
Try: Ricky Allen Hepa Paewai Graham Wiig Con: Richard Cox (2/2) Pen: Richard Cox (2/2) Drop: Richard Cox (1/1)	[1]	Try: Kenneth Granger Murray Watts George Hawkins Con: Mike Banks (1/3) Pen: Mike Banks (1/1)

McLean Park, Napier

6 August 1977

Marlborough	7–51	Counties
Try: Mark Best Con: Steve Marfell (0/1) Pen: Steve Marfell (1/1)	[1]	Try: Bob Lendrum (2) Richard Palmer (2) Bill Cummings Buff Milner Roy Craig Bruce Robertson Robert Kururangi Con: John Hughes (4/7) Bob Lendrum (2/2) Pen: John Hughes (1/1)

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

6 August 1977

Otago	4–13	Southland
Try: Simon Thompson Con: Bevan Wilson (0/1)	[1]	Try: Steven Pokere Evan Maclellan Con: Brian McKechnie (1/2) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1)

Carisbrook, Dunedin

17 August 1977

Hawke's Bay	19–32	Canterbury
Try: Murray Smith Tim Carter Con: Richard Cox (1/2) Pen: Richard Cox (3/3)	[1]	Try: Murray McEwan (2) Randall Scott Richard Wilson Con: Richard Wilson (2/2) Pen: Richard Wilson (2/2) Drop: Doug Bruce (2/2)

Nelson Park, Hastings

18 August 1977

Marlborough	17–25	Otago
Try: Ian McAlpine Steve Marfell Con: Kevin Sutherland (0/2) Pen: Kevin Sutherland (2/2) Drop: Brian Hunter (1/1)	[1]	Try: Robert Roy Simon Thompson Bevan Wilson Con: Bevan Wilson (2/3) Pen: Bevan Wilson (2/2)

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

20 August 1977

Counties	4–9	Canterbury
Try: Alan Dawson Con: Mark Codlin (0/1)	[1]	Pen: Richard Wilson (2/2) Drop: Richard Wilson (1/1)

Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe

20 August 1977

Taranaki	13–6	Hawke's Bay
Try: Peter White Con: Stephen Davidson (0/1) Pen: Stephen Davidson (3/3)	[1]	Try: Murray Smith Con: Murray Tocker (1/1)

Rugby Park, New Plymouth

20 August 1977

Wellington	17–13	Otago
Try: Paul Quinn (2) Warwick Procter Con: Richard Cleland (1/3) Pen: Richard Cleland (1/1)	[1]	Try: Tim Burcher Con: Bevan Wilson (0/1) Pen: Bevan Wilson (3/3)

Athletic Park, Wellington

20 August 1977

Southland	26–6	Bay of Plenty
Try: Brian McKechnie (2) Sam Anderson Con: Brian McKechnie (1/3) Pen: Brian McKechnie (3/3) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1)	[1]	Pen: Greg Rowlands (2/2)

Rugby Park, Invercargill

24 August 1977

Otago	33–30	Bay of Plenty
Try: Simon Thompson Graeme Elvin Wayne Graham Con: Bevan Wilson (0/3) Pen: Bevan Wilson (6/6) Drop: Lyn Jaffray (1/1)	[1]	Try: Graeme Moore Mark Taylor Mike Connor Jim Helmbright Con: John Brake (4/4) Pen: John Brake (1/1) Greg Rowlands (1/1)

Carisbrook, Dunedin

24 August 1977

Southland	6–13	Auckland
Pen: Brian McKechnie (2/2)	[1]	Try: Tua Saseve Con: Steve Watt (0/1) Pen: Steve Watt (3/3)

Rugby Park, Invercargill

27 August 1977

Manawatu	15–10	Counties
Try: Jim Carroll Con: Doug Rollerson (1/1) Pen: Mike Banks (2/2) Drop: Doug Rollerson (1/2)	[2]	Try: Peter Clotworthy Con: Bob Lendrum (0/1) Pen: Bob Lendrum (2/2)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Colin Gregan (Waikato)

27 August 1977

Wellington	6–10	Hawke's Bay
Try: Paul Quinn Con: Richard Cleland (1/1)	[1]	Try: Murray Tocker Con: Roger Whinham (0/1) Pen: Roger Whinham (2/2)

Athletic Park, Wellington

27 August 1977

Canterbury	30–12	Bay of Plenty
Try: Shane Gibbons (2) David Thompson Graeme Higginson John Phillips Con: Richard Wilson (2/2) Pen: Richard Wilson (2/2)	[1]	Try: Graham Moore Eddie Stokes Con: Greg Rowlands (2/2)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch

27 August 1977

Otago	18–24	Auckland
Try: Bryan Williams (2) Colin Farrell Con: Steve Watt (1/1) Pen: Steve Watt (3/3) Drop: Mike Richards (1/1)	[1]	Try: Peter McLeod Con: Bevan Wilson (1/1) Pen: Bevan Wilson (4/4)

Carisbrook, Dunedin

31 August 1977

Southland	10–13	Canterbury
Try: Dave Shanks Con: Brian McKechnie (0/1) Pen: Brian McKechnie (2/2)	[1]	Try: Shane Gibbons Con: Richard Wilson (0/1) Pen: Richard Wilson (1/1) Drop: Doug Bruce (2/2)

Rugby Park, Invercargill

September

3 September 1977

Counties	36–3	Bay of Plenty
Try: Mark Codlin Buff Milner Robert Kururangi Richard Palmer Henk Habraken Bob Lendrum Con: Mark Codlin (3/6) Pen: Mark Codlin (3/3)	[1]	Pen: Greg Rowlands (1/1)

Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe

3 September 1977

Manawatu	21–7	Marlborough
Try: Kevin Maharey (2) John Callesen Con: Doug Rollerson (0/3) Pen: Doug Rollerson (3/3)	[3]	Try: Brian Ford Con: Brian Hunter (0/1) Drop: Brian Hunter (1/1)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Peter McDavitt (Wellington)

3 September 1977

Wellington	11–3	Southland
Try: Brendan Gard'ner Warwick Procter Con: Brian Cederwall (0/2) Drop: John Dougan (1/1)	[1]	Pen: Brian McKechnie (1/1)

Athletic Park, Wellington

3 September 1977

Otago	9–14	Canterbury
Try: Tim Burcher Con: Bevan Wilson (1/1) Pen: Bevan Wilson (1/1)	[1]	Try: Shane Gibbons Randall Scott Richard Wilson Con: Richard Wilson (1/3)

Carisbrook, Dunedin

7 September 1977

Bay of Plenty	6–19	Taranaki
Pen: Greg Rowlands (2/2)	[1]	Try: Paul Martin Wally Mahura Con: Stephen Davidson (1/2) Pen: Stephen Davidson (3/3)

Rugby Park, Rotorua

7 September 1977

Manawatu	18–6	Southland
Try: Alan Innes Kenneth Granger John Loveday Con: Doug Rollerson (0/3) Pen: Doug Rollerson (1/1) Drop: Doug Rollerson (1/1)	[4]	Pen: Brian McKechnie (1/1) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Keith Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)

10 September 1977

Taranaki	12–21	Counties
Pen: Stephen Davidson (4/4)	[1]	Try: Mark Codlin Bob Lendrum Con: Mark Codlin (2/2) Pen: Mark Codlin (2/2)

Rugby Park, New Plymouth

11 September 1977

Hawke's Bay	23–16	Southland
Try: Robbie Stuart (2) Pat Ryan Con: Richard Cox (1/3) Pen: Richard Cox (3/3)	[1]	Try: Brian McKechnie Con: Brian McKechnie (0/1) Pen: Brian McKechnie (2/2) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1) Graeme Anderson (1/1)

McLean Park, Napier

11 September 1977

Canterbury	17–0	Wellington
Try: Alex Wyllie Murray McEwan Terry Mitchell Con: Richard Wilson (1/1) Drop: Richard Wilson (1/1)	[1]

Lancaster Park, Christchurch

14 September 1977

Counties	24–9	Southland
Try: Mike Sherbourne Mac McCallion Graeme Taylor Henk Habraken Con: Mark Codlin (1/4) Pen: Mark Codlin (1/1) Drop: Mark Codlin (1/1)	[1]	Try: Brian McKechnie Con: Brian McKechnie (1/1) Pen: Brian McKechnie (1/1)

Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe

14 September 1977

Bay of Plenty	9–54	Auckland
Try: Eddie Stokes Mark Taylor Roger Dallison Con: Greg Rowlands (3/3) Pen: Greg Rowlands (2/2)	[1]	Try: Greg Thaggard Con: Steve Watt (1/1) Pen: Steve Watt (2/2)

Rugby Park, Rotorua

17 September 1977

Auckland	9–6	Wellington
Pen: Steve Watt (3/3)	[1]	Pen: Brian Cederwall (2/2)

Eden Park, Auckland

17 September 1977

Hawke's Bay	3–8	Otago
Pen: Richard Cox (1/1)	[1]	Try: Kenneth Mitchell (2) Con: Bevan Wilson (0/2)

McLean Park, Napier

17 September 1977

Manawatu	6–3	Taranaki
Try: Kevin Maharey Con: Doug Rollerson (1/1)	[5]	Pen: Stephen Davidson (1/1)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 22,000 Referee: John Pring (Auckland)

21 September 1977

Counties	27–17	Otago
Try: John Spiers Robert Kururangi Richard Palmer Bruce Robertson Henk Habraken Con: Mark Codlin (2/5) Pen: Mark Codlin (1/1)	[1]	Try: Barry Reeve Ken Mitchell Con: Bevan Wilson (0/2) Pen: Bevan Wilson (3/3)

Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe

21 September 1977

Canterbury	22–3	Taranaki
Try: Alex Wyllie Mark Romans Alwyn Harvey Randall Scott Con: Richard Wilson (3/4)	[1]	Pen: Stephen Davidson (1/1)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch

24 September 1977

Bay of Plenty	9–54	Wellington
Pen: Greg Rowlands (3/3)	[1]	Try: Warwick Procter (2) Paul Quinn (3) Stu Wilson (2) Brian Cederwall Murray Mexted Andy Leslie Bernie Fraser Con: Brian Cederwall (5/11)

Rugby Park, Rotorua

24 September 1977

Manawatu	17–3	Otago
Try: Hugh Blair John Callesen Con: Doug Rollerson (0/2) Pen: Doug Rollerson (2/2) Drop: Jim Carroll (1/1)	[6]	Pen: Bevan Wilson (1/1)

Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Alan Taylor (Canterbury)

24 September 1977

Canterbury	37–18	Auckland
Try: Barry Thompson (2) Shane Gibbons Lyn Davis Murray McEwan Scott Cartwright Con: Richard Wilson (5/6) Pen: Richard Wilson (1/1)	[1]	Try: Bryan Williams Colin Farrell Terry Morrison Bruce Gemmell Con: Colin Farrell (1/4)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch

28 September 1977

Otago	19–9	Taranaki
Try: Merv Jaffray Simon Thompson Barry Reeve Con: Bevan Wilson (2/3) Pen: Bevan Wilson (1/1)	[1]	Try: Tony Brown Con: Stephen Davidson (1/1) Pen: Stephen Davidson (1/1)

Carisbrook, Dunedin

October

1 October 1977

Auckland	25–4	Marlborough
Try: Bryan Williams (2) Greg Thaggard Andy Haden Stu Conn Con: Steve Watt (1/5) Pen: Steve Watt (1/1)	[1]	Try: Ross Rendel Con: Steve Marfell (0/1)

Eden Park, Auckland

1 October 1977

Hawke's Bay	31–25	Bay of Plenty
Try: Murray Tocker Pat Ryan James Halbert Robbie Stuart Con: Richard Cox (3/4) Pen: Richard Cox (3/3)	[1]	Try: Eddie Stokes (2) Mike Connor Roger Dallison Con: Greg Rowlands (2/4) Pen: Greg Rowlands (1/1)

McLean Park, Napier

1 October 1977

Wellington	43–9	Counties
Try: Warwick Procter Con: Brian Cederwall (1/1) Pen: Brian Cederwall (1/1)	[1]	Try: Robert Kururangi Bruce Robertson Alan Dawson Richard Palmer Graeme Taylor Peter Williams Con: Mark Codlin (3/5) Buff Milner (1/1) Pen: Bob Lendrum (1/1)

Athletic Park, Wellington

Division 2 (North Island)

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
1	North Auckland	8	8	0	0	238	32	+206	40	16
2	Waikato	8	6	0	2	203	70	+133	29	12
3	Poverty Bay	8	5	1	2	132	101	+31	17	11
4	Wanganui	8	5	1	2	160	134	+26	24	11
5	Wairarapa Bush	8	4	0	4	90	79	+11	10	8
6	King Country	8	3	0	5	75	149	−74	10	6
7	Thames Valley	8	2	1	5	99	158	−59	14	5
8	East Coast	8	1	1	6	74	203	−129	12	3
9	Horowhenua	8	0	0	8	48	193	−145	6	0

Results

May

7 May 1977

Horowhenua	11–17	King Country
Try: Mike Nutting Midge O'Donnell Con: Michael Brodie (0/1) Pen: Michael Brodie (1/1)	[7]	Try: Murray Kidd (2) Graham Tibby Con: Sam Pye (1/3) Pen: Maraku Cribb (1/1)

Levin Domain, Levin

10 May 1977

Wairarapa Bush	13–9	King Country
Try: Neville Taylor Con: Neil Kjestrup (0/1) Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2/2)	[7]	Try: Barry Donovan Con: Maraku Cribb (1/1) Pen: Maraku Cribb (1/1)

Rugby Park, Pahiatua

21 May 1977

King Country	4–13	Wanganui
Try: Barry Donovan Con: Maraku Cribb (0/1)	[7]	Try: Murdoch McKenzie Con: Francis Hill (0/1) Pen: Francis Hill (3/3)

Taumarunui Domain, Taumarunui

June

6 June 1977

Poverty Bay	23–18	East Coast
Try: Kevin Gaukrodger Jody Walters Charlie Keelan Con: Willie Nikora (1/3) Pen: Willie Nikora (3/3)	[7]	Try: Boydie Donald Ray Falcon Marty Charteris Con: Terry Roberts (3/3)

Rugby Park, Gisborne

25 June 1977

King Country	10–6	Thames Valley
Try: Murray Kidd Con: James Poutu (0/1) Pen: James Poutu (1/1) John Wereta (1/1)	[7]	Pen: Graham Bax (2/2)

Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga

25 June 1977

Horowhenua	7–28	Wanganui
Try: Robbie Puklowski Con: Maihi Marino (0/1) Pen: Maihi Marino (1/1)	[7]	Try: Murdoch McKenzie Larry Graham Trevor Olney Rob Manson Con: Peter Te Huna (2/3) Murdoch McKenzie (1/1) Pen: Peter Te Huna (1/1) Murdoch McKenzie (1/1)

Levin Domain, Levin

July

2 July 1977

North Auckland	42–0	Thames Valley
Try: Eddie Dunn Joe Pilcher Phil Halse Charles Going Peter Sloane Joe Morgan David Haynes Con: Arnold Morgan (4/7) Pen: Arnold Morgan (2/2)	[7]

Okara Park, Whangārei

14 July 1977

Poverty Bay	23–4	Horowhenua
Try: Graeme Torrie (2) Brett Sherriff Con: Wayne Muir (1/3) Pen: Wayne Muir (2/2) Graeme Torrie (1/1)	[7]	Try: Jock Free Con: Keith McCreedy (0/1)

Rugby Park, Gisborne

16 July 1977

East Coast	16–15	Horowhenua
Try: Wilson Walker (2) Wayne Truman Con: Lance Rickard (2/3)	[7]	Pen: Keith McCreedy (5/5)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria

16 July 1977

Poverty Bay	21–3	King Country
Try: Lawrie Knight (2) Graeme Torrie Paul Tocker Con: Willie Nikora (1/4) Pen: Willie Nikora (1/1)	[7]	Con: John Lang (1/1)

Rugby Park, Gisborne

19 July 1977

Thames Valley	16–4	Horowhenua
Try: Graham Bax (2) Don McMillan Con: Colin Barlow (2/3)	[7]	Try: Paul Lucas Martin Con: Keith McCreedy (0/1)

Rugby Park, Waihi

19 July 1977

East Coast	10–17	King Country
Try: Wilson Walker Con: Terry Roberts (0/1) Pen: Terry Roberts (2/2)	[7]	Try: Murray Kidd (2) Don Milham Con: John Lang (1/3) Pen: John Lang (1/1)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria

31 July 1977

Wanganui	16–6	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Trevor Olney Bob Barrell Con: Bob Barrell (1/2) Pen: Bob Barrell (2/2)	[7]	Try: Hona Huriwai Con: Neil Kjestrup (1/1)

Cooks Gardens, Wanganui

August

6 August 1977

East Coast	0–28	Wairarapa Bush
	[7]	Try: Ritchie Robertson Jimmy Cotter Bruce Patrick Con: Neil Kjestrup (2/3) Pen: Neil Kjestrup (3/3) Drop: Jimmy Cotter (1/1)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria

9 August 1977

Thames Valley	22–12	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Brian Duggan Chris Ellis Don McMillan Con: Colin Barlow (2/3) Pen: Colin Barlow (2/2)	[7]	Try: Ritchie Robertson Con: Tony Brown (1/1) Pen: Tony Brown (2/2)

Paeroa Domain, Paeroa

11 August 1977

Waikato	28–9	East Coast
Try: Thomas Hiriaki (3) Trevor Irwin John O'Rourke Con: Trevor Irwin (1/5) Pen: Trevor Irwin (2/2)	[7]	Try: Chris Waru Con: Terry Roberts (1/1) Pen: Terry Roberts (1/1)

Rugby Park, Hamilton

14 August 1977

North Auckland	51–7	East Coast
Try: David Haynes (2) Alan Martin (2) Lloyd Roberts (2) Steve Griffin Phil Halse Eddie Dunn Mike Gunson Con: Eddie Dunn (3/9) Mike Gunson (1/1) Pen: Mike Gunson (1/1)	[7]	Try: John Maddever Con: Terry Roberts (0/1) Pen: Terry Roberts (1/1)

Okara Park, Whangārei

20 August 1977

Poverty Bay	20–11	Wairarapa Bush
Try: Kevin Gaukrodger Paul Tocker Con: Wayne Muir (0/2) Pen: Wayne Muir (4/4)	[7]	Try: Bill Rowlands Dallas Spowart Con: Jimmy Cotter (0/2) Pen: Jimmy Cotter (1/1)

Rugby Park, Gisborne

20 August 1977

Waikato	59–12	King Country
Try: John O'Rourke (4) Paul Anderson (2) Dick Myers Matt Deane Con: Trevor Irwin (6/8) Pen: Trevor Irwin (5/5)	[7]	Try: Laurie Sands Con: John Lang (1/1) Pen: John Lang (2/2)

Rugby Park, Hamilton

20 August 1977

East Coast	10–10	Thames Valley
Try: Boydie Donald Peter McGrannachan Con: Terry Roberts (1/2)	[7]	Try: Tony Jackson Con: Colin Barlow (0/1) Pen: Colin Barlow (2/2)

Whakarua Park, Ruatoria

27 August 1977

Thames Valley	9–19	Waikato
Try: Reg Hennessy Con: Allen Fisher (1/1) Pen: Allen Fisher (1/1)	[7]	Try: Miah Melsom Matt Deane Con: Trevor Irwin (2/2) Drop: Ross McGlashan (1/1)

Boyd Park, Te Aroha

27 August 1977

Wanganui	15–15	Poverty Bay
Try: Bruce Middleton Rob Manson Con: Murdoch McKenzie (2/2) Pen: Peter Te Huna (1/1)	[7]	Pen: Laurie Holmes (4/4) Drop: Graeme Thompson (1/1)

Cooks Gardens, Wanganui

27 August 1977

Wairarapa Bush	6–0	Horowhenua
Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2/2)	[7]

Memorial Park, Masterton

31 August 1977

North Auckland	52–6	Wanganui
Try: Sid Going (2) Joe Pilcher (2) Maihi Mahanga (2) Charles Going Toni Waaka Harley Sowman David Haynes Wuzz Phillips Con: Mike Gunson (4/11)	[7]	Pen: Murdoch McKenzie (2/2)

Central Ground, Kaikohe

September

3 September 1977

Waikato	21–11	Wanganui
Try: John O'Rourke Paul Anderson Con: Trevor Irwin (2/2) Pen: Trevor Irwin (2/2) Drop: Ross McGlashan (1/1)	[7]	Try: Larry Graham Ray Stafford Con: Murdoch McKenzie (0/2) Pen: Murdoch McKenzie (1/1)

Rugby Park, Hamilton

3 September 1977

Horowhenua	0–36	North Auckland
	[7]	Try: Sid Going Mike Gunson John Belton Toni Waaka Eddie Dunn Darcy Ruddell Con: Mike Gunson (3/6) Pen: Mike Gunson (2/2)

Levin Domain, Levin

6 September 1977

Wairarapa Bush	7–9	North Auckland
Try: Hona Huriwai Con: Neil Kjestrup (0/1) Pen: Neil Kjestrup (1/1)	[7]	Try: Charles Going Con: Mike Gunson (1/1) Pen: Mike Gunson (1/1)

Memorial Park, Masterton

8 September 1977

Horowhenua	7–51	Waikato
Try: Danny Ryland Con: Keith McCreedy (0/1) Pen: Keith McCreedy (1/1)	[7]	Try: Matt Deane (2) Brian Morrissey (2) Trevor Irwin Ron Lockwood Kit Fawcett Norm Morrow Miah Melsom Thomas Hiriaki Con: Trevor Irwin (3/9) Kit Fawcett (1/1) Pen: Trevor Irwin (1/1)

Levin Domain, Levin

10 September 1977

King Country	3–16	North Auckland
Pen: Sam Pye (1/1)	[7]	Try: Mike Gunson John Belton Con: John Belton (1/2) Pen: John Belton (1/1)

Turangitukua Park, Tūrangi

10 September 1977

Thames Valley	11–21	Poverty Bay
Try: Tuk Sheehan Greg Harris Con: Graham Bax (0/2) Pen: Graham Bax (1/1)	[7]	Try: Jody Walters Leslie Barbara Graham Barbara Con: Laurie Holmes (1/3) Pen: Laurie Holmes (1/1)

Boyd Park, Te Aroha

10 September 1977

Wanganui	31–4	East Coast
Try: Murdoch McKenzie (2) Nig Paki Paki Richard Murray Rob Manson Ray Stafford Con: Murdoch McKenzie (2/6) Drop: Bill Osborne (1/1)	[7]	Try: Tom Wilson Con: Terry Roberts (0/1)

Cooks Gardens, Wanganui

10 September 1977

Wairarapa Bush	7–3	Waikato
Try: John Tuckerman Con: Neil Kjestrup (0/1) Pen: Ian Barry Blake (1/1)	[7]	Drop: Kit Fawcett (1/1)

Memorial Park, Masterton

17 September 1977

Waikato	16–6	Poverty Bay
Try: Trevor Irwin Kevin Greene Con: Trevor Irwin (1/2) Pen: Trevor Irwin (1/1) Drop: Ross McGlashan (1/1)	[7]	Try: Ian Kirkpatrick Con: Laurie Holmes (1/1)

Rugby Park, Hamilton

10 September 1977

Wanganui	40–25	Thames Valley
Try: Richard Murray (3) Bill Osborne (2) Rob Manson Kerry O'Hara Con: Bob Barrell (2/6) Murdoch McKenzie (1/1) Pen: Bob Barrell (2/2)	[7]	Try: Don McMillan (2) Brian Duggan Reg Hennessy Con: Graham Bax (3/4) Pen: Graham Bax (1/1)

Cooks Gardens, Wanganui

21 September 1977

North Auckland	23–3	Poverty Bay
Try: Charles Going (2) Toni Waaka Con: Mike Gunson (2/2) John Belton (1/1)	[7]	Pen: Laurie Holmes (1/1)

Okara Park, Whangārei

24 September 1977

North Auckland	9–6	Waikato
Pen: Mike Gunson (2/2) Drop: Eddie Dunn (1/1)	[7]	Pen: Trevor Irwin (2/2)

Okara Park, Whangārei

Division 2 (South Island)

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	Pts
1	South Canterbury	5	5	0	0	111	21	+90	17	10
2	Mid Canterbury	5	4	0	1	87	36	+51	15	8
3	Nelson Bays	5	3	0	2	56	63	−7	6	6
4	West Coast	5	2	0	3	65	81	−16	9	4
5	North Otago	5	1	0	4	43	99	−56	5	2
6	Buller	5	0	0	5	18	80	−62	2	0

Results

June

6 June 1977

South Canterbury	17–4	Mid Canterbury
Try: Ian Palmer (2) Neville Richards Con: Doug Nicol (1/3) Pen: Doug Nicol (1/1)	[8]	Try: Paul Williams

Fraser Park, Timaru

6 June 1977

Nelson Bays	10–3	Buller
Try: Stewart Robertson Con: Jim Speedy (0/1) Pen: Jim Speedy (2/2)	[8]	Pen: Rex Mumm (1/1)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

11 June 1977

Buller	3–12	West Coast
Pen: Alan Ireland (1/1)	[8]	Try: Peter Teen Con: Gavin Cook (1/1) Pen: Gavin Cook (1/1) Kelvin McBride (1/1)

Victoria Square, Westport

July

23 July 1977

Mid Canterbury	20–0	Buller
Try: Geoff Bryant John Greenslade Alan Grieve Alan Edge Con: Murray Straight (2/4)	[8]

Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton

26 July 1977

South Canterbury	26–6	Buller
Try: Ian Palmer (3) Doug Nicol Tony Goddard Barry Gallagher Con: Doug Nicol (1/6)	[8]	Try: Piet Groot Con: Rex Mumm (1/1)

Fraser Park, Timaru

August

6 August 1977

West Coast	4–11	Nelson Bays
Try: Ken Beams	[8]	Try: Stewart Robertson (2) Con: Jim Speedy (0/2) Pen: Jim Speedy (1/1)

Rugby Park, Greymouth

6 August 1977

Buller	6–12	North Otago
Try: Rex Mumm Con: Rex Mumm (1/1)	[8]	Try: Gary Fairbanks Con: Barry Simpson (1/1) Pen: Barry Simpson (2/2)

Victoria Square, Westport

9 August 1977

West Coast	35–13	North Otago
Try: Peter Teen (3) Bruce Davidson Ken Beams Con: Stephen Boon (3/5) Pen: Stephen Boon (2/2) Drop: Stephen Boon (1/1)	[8]	Try: Gary Fairbanks Phil Winter Con: Barry Simpson (1/2) Pen: Barry Simpson (1/1)

Rugby Park, Greymouth

25 August 1977

North Otago	15–22	Nelson Bays
Try: Graham Johnston (2) Con: Barry Simpson (2/2) Pen: Barry Simpson (1/1)	[8]	Try: Stewart Robertson Graham Rogers Con: Jim Speedy (1/2) Pen: Jim Speedy (4/4)

Centennial Park, Oamaru

27 August 1977

South Canterbury	12–0	Nelson Bays
Pen: Doug Nicol (2/2) Drop: Doug Nicol (1/1) Tony Goddard (1/1)	[8]

Fraser Park, Timaru

30 August 1977

Mid Canterbury	29–13	Nelson Bays
Try: Geoff Bryant (5) Con: Ian McLenaghen (0/5) Pen: Ian McLenaghen (1/1) Drop: Murray Roulston (1/1)	[8]	Try: Colin Haigh Con: Jim Speedy (0/1) Pen: Jim Speedy (2/8) Drop: Jim Speedy (1/1)

Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton

September

3 September 1977

North Otago	3–27	South Canterbury
Pen: Barry Simpson (1/1)	[8]	Try: Ian Palmer Doug Nicol Bill Anderson Robin Heron Con: Doug Nicol (1/4) Pen: Doug Nicol (3/3)

Centennial Park, Oamaru

3 September 1977

Mid Canterbury	25–6	West Coast
Try: Geoff Bryant (3) Alan Grieve (2) Con: Ian McLenaghen (1/5) Pen: Ian McLenaghen (1/1)	[8]	Pen: David Curtain (2/2)

Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton

17 September 1977

West Coast	8–29	South Canterbury
Try: Ken Beams Con: Russell Johns (1/1)	[8]	Try: Neville Richards Robin Heron Peter Walsh Doug Nicol Con: Doug Nicol (2/4) Pen: Doug Nicol (3/3)

Rugby Park, Greymouth

17 September 1977

North Otago	0–9	Mid Canterbury
	[8]	Pen: Jock Ross (1/1) Drop: Murray Roulston (2/2)

Centennial Park, Oamaru

Promotion/Relegation

Bay of Plenty and Marlborough finished in the bottom two of Division 1.

The winners of Division 2 North, North Auckland, were automatically promoted to Division 1; Bay of Plenty were relegated, just one season after they won the National Championship.

The winners of Division 2 South, South Canterbury, played Marlborough and won 13–9 to earn promotion to Division 1; Marlborough were relegated to Division 2.

Citations

1. Howitt & McDonald 1977, pp. 99–101.
2. Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 88.
3. Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 89.
4. Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 90.
5. Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 91.
6. Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 93.
7. Howitt & McDonald 1977, pp. 102–103.
8. Howitt & McDonald 1977, pp. 105.

References

• Howitt, Bob; McDonald, Sandy (1977). DB Rugby Annual 1977. Auckland: Moa. ISBN   0 908570 15 5.
• thesilverfern.co.nz (Archived 2009-05-06)