By D.J. CAMERON
The onward and upward career of Maurice Trapp as an Auckland club and representative player, coach and administrator is likely to reach a new peak next season as chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union's board of directors.
Reuben ONeill, chairman of the ARU board and the Blues franchise, has
told both boards he will step down soon, ending 50 years of administration which started with Marist on the West Coast in 1950.
As a contingency plan, Trapp, already a member of the ARU board, and Ken Baguley, chairman of the ARU council of clubs, were interviewed as deputy-chairman prospects. Trapp won the decision and, unless there is a political upheaval in the meantime, will be promoted to ARU board chairman at the annual meeting early next year.
This would complete a 25-year-old journey from the bottom of the ruck to the top of the Auckland rugby tree for the 52-year-old Trapp.
A well-performed rugby player in England, and a graduate of the famed Loughborough College physical education system, Trapp was on overseas-work experience digging a tunnel in Melbourne when the long arm of the Ponsonby rugby club pulled him to Auckland.
Three days later Trapp was a member of the Ponsonby side touring South Africa, and from that time onward became firmly ensconced in Ponsonby and Auckland rugby.
Trapp played 38 games as lock and back row for Auckland, coached the Ponsonby seniors and, from 1987-91, established himself as the most successful selector-coach (assisted by Bryan Williams) in Auckland's 117-year history.
In those five years Auckland played 90 games for 86 wins, one draw and three losses - two of the losses when Auckland's large All Black contingent was not available.
During that time Trapp's side won all their 38 Ranfurly Shield defences, as part of Auckland's fabulous 61 successful defences between 1985 and 1993.
Trapp returned briefly as Auckland selector-coach when Graham Henry left in mid-season for Wales in 1998, and is a member of the ARU board.
