Te Maori: Orchard boys back in town

The Orchard brothers (clockwise, from left) Robert, Eddie, John and Phillip are proud to have played for Ngongotaha Rugby League Club. Photo/Stephen Parker

During the late 1960s and early'70s, Ngongotaha Rugby League Club ruled supreme in the Bay of Plenty league.

Part of the secret to the club's success was the inclusion of the four Orchard brothers from Ngongotaha - Robert, Phillip, Eddie and John.

Parents Bruce and Gypsy raised their eight children at their kainga (home) near Taniwha Springs, Awahou.

"Growing up, we had a big family. There was four boys and four girls, mum and dad. We were in a four-bedroom home, so we had to top and tail. I'd often wake up with Philip's foot in my mouth," Eddie said.

"We had a real big struggle there, because mum and dad only had one income. Dad used to clean the old picture theatre."

Eddie, 64, said lack of funds did not stop Bruce and Gypsy from encouraging their children to play sport. The girls played netball for Ngongotaha, while the boys played league for Awahou team Huimai.

"Our football careers started at what used to be the old showgrounds on Old Taupo Rd. That's where we started playing our footy, then we got picked up by Ngongotaha," Eddie said.

Oldest brother Robert, 68, who made a name for himself as a hard-running second rower, was soon snapped up by Bay of Plenty and made his debut against the touring English side.

Robert said it was the camaraderie which made him a loyal supporter of the club.

"I think it was the comradeship and Ray Turton was one of the [main guys]."

Robert played 18 games for the Kiwis and played for the New Zealand Maori (alongside Rotorua's Mita Mohi) in 1972.

His younger brother Phillip, 65, also made the Kiwis from 1969-75, playing 21 games, and played in two world cups (1972 and 1975).

Phillip, a winger, scored 15 tries for the Kiwis, sitting fourth equal with Richard Blackmore, Tom Hadfield and Ruben Wiki.

A plasterer by trade and still living in Rotorua, Phillip was also named twice in the New Zealand Rugby League's Legends of League (2001 and 2007).

Although Eddie and youngest brother John did not make the Kiwis, Eddie, a centre, got a trial and played for the New Zealand Maori from 1975-79, while John, another winger, made the under-15 Kiwi team and got a trial for the New Zealand Maori. All four brothers have played for the Bay.

During Ngongotaha's domination in the early 1970s, it was a common sight to see all four brothers on the field at the same time, Eddie said.

"We played as a team, the four of us actually played in the Ngongotaha team together. So you could imagine during the commentaries on radio - 'Ball goes out to Orchard, and then on to Orchard, and passed to Orchard, who scores'."

Richard said playing alongside his brothers was always a treat. "It was companionship."

Although Phillip still calls Rotorua home, his brothers are all Australia based.

The three returned to Rotorua last week for a surprise 70th for their eldest sister Janet.