By Jesse Wood - Waikato Herald

Waikato Rugby’s maiden National Provincial Championship title came in 1992 when the team beat Auckland and hosted its first NPC grand final against Otago at Hamilton’s Rugby Park.

The NPC competition started in 1976 and Waikato had never tasted success before.

“[From the changing rooms] you could hear Otago go on to the field and all you could hear was this big drone of noise and booing, there were 30,000 people at Rugby Park,” Waikato centurion Matthew Cooper, who started at centre in that game, said.

“All of a sudden the referee blew the whistle, ‘Waikato your turn to come out’, led by John Mitchell. Mitch would say ‘we’re not going out’ and the referee would blow his whistle again and he’d say ‘we’re not going out, shut the door.’

“You could hear this roar start to build and you could hear the cowbells and the terraces there were flags.

“The whole place was an absolute theatre of noise, colour and bells. Once again John Mitchell held us back. Finally, he said ‘are we ready?’ and we went out.”

Captain Mitchell went on to play six games for the All Blacks the following year and many other All Blacks also came out of the victorious Waikato team.

“I’ll never forget the moment of sprinting on to Rugby Park and the noise was just deafening. It was a great moment for us but it must have been a great moment for the fans. Waikato proceeded to absolutely annihilate Otago that day,” Cooper said.

The final score was 40-5 to the Mooloos.

Cooper’s brother Greg was the opposition fullback and the sibling duo were competitive goal kickers.

Greg nabbed 182 points that season while Matthew managed a staggering 232.

During the grand final, Waikato prop Richard Loe eye-gouged Greg at a ruck, which he copped a nine-month ban for.

This was later reduced to six months on appeal.

Waikato 40 (Simon Crabb (2), Richard Loe, Ian Foster tries; Matthew Cooper (4) conversions; Cooper (3) penalties; Foster drop goal)

Otago 5 (Stu Forster try)

WAIKATO 1992 GRAND FINAL STARTING XV: 

Andrew Strawbridge, Wayne Warlow, Matthew Cooper, Rhys Ellison, Doug Wilson, Ian Foster, Simon Crabb, John Mitchell (c), Duane Monkley, Richard Jerram, Steve Gordon, Brent Anderson, Graham Purvis, Warren Gatland, Richard Loe.

The 1993 National Mutual Rugby Almanack of New Zealand edited by Rod Chester and Neville McMillan had this to say about Waikato’s 1992 season:

“Waikato achieved its first win in the National Championship since the competition was inaugurated in 1976.

“After finishing the qualifying round in fourth place, Waikato convincingly beat top qualifier Auckland in the semifinal and went on to demolish defending champion Otago in the final.

“The CANZ series also resulted in a win for Waikato, whose players and supporters thus have good reason to look back on 1992 as one of the union’s most successful years.

“With its powerful pack, built around its All Blacks tight forwards, and a very talented set of backs, Waikato was a difficult team to beat. However, it did suffer four losses, three by substantial margins.

“One of the outstanding Waikato backs was Andrew Strawbridge who, when at his best, had no peer among the country’s fullbacks. He displayed tremendous flair as a counter attacker and was reliable on defence.

“Former Thames Valley wing Wayne Warlow developed well during the season, scoring 15 tries. He was Waikato’s most improved player.

“Darren Henare also impressed as a wing.

“Centre Matthew Cooper performed to his usual high standard throughout the season. Apart from his accurate goal kicking, which was one of Waikato’s most valuable assets, he showed all-round ability in his position.

“Rhys Ellison combined well with Cooper in midfield and turned on some fine games, while both Brett Craies and Ian Foster rendered good service at first five-eighth.

“In the early games Kevin Putt looked to be the best halfback in New Zealand but failed to impress the national selectors and headed back to South Africa.

“Simon Crabb took over from Putt and by the end of the season had few superiors in the country. His progress will be patched with interest in 1993.

“Waikato had one of the strongest front rows in New Zealand with its three All Blacks Graham Purvis, Warren Gatland and Richard Loe.

“This trio was well backed by locks Brent Andersen, Steve Gordon and Mike Russell while the regular loose trio of captain John Mitchell, Duane Monkley and Richard Jerram were in outstanding form.

“Monkley in particular must wonder what more he has to do to impress the New Zealand selectors.

“Tom Coventry was good value when called on.”

Article added: Tuesday 02 April 2024