Public can help locate last pieces in rugby puzzle | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Brent Drabble's passion for Bay of Plenty rugby has taken him into libraries, cemeteries, newspapers and clubrooms all over the country.

Now the Rotorua historian has taken his search to the public as he looks to complete the ultimate record of Bay rugby.

For the past 15 years, Drabble has researched and catalogued almost 2000 players who have worn the blue and gold Bay jersey in the past 99 years. He's aiming to find details of several dozen mystery players before next year's centenary celebrations.

"The records were pretty sketchy when I first took it over and I've done a fair bit of work, particularly trying to research those first teams in the early years," Drabble said.

"By the end of it, I'm hoping we'll have one of the best playing registers of any union in the country and I also hope people will get benefit out of it. It's amazing how many folk don't know things about their grandfathers playing for the Bay, or even their fathers for that matter."

The urgency of Drabble's quest has been quickened by the loss of a handful of former Bay representatives recently, including Kawerau's Bill Delamere, who at 89 was the oldest surviving player.

Delamere played three games from 1945-47 out of the Kutarere United club near Opotiki, and was the brother and uncle of two other Bay reps, Sir Monita Delamere and Heremaia Delamere.

Last week, Tauranga's Jim Clarke passed away, also aged 89, having played eight games from 1946-47, while Rotorua's Taranaki Nuri (1952-58) died aged 83, with nine games to his name.

The oldest surviving former Bay player now is believed to be Brisbane-based Harold Roigard, born in April 1921, who played nine games in 1947-48.

James Rolfe is 88, and Tauranga's Dave Seton and former All Black coach Bryce Rope turned 87 this year.

This knowledge and a meticulously researched reunion roster are all thanks to Drabble, who has followed Bay of Plenty rugby teams since the mid-1960s.

"There have been a lot of names and a lot of history - it's something I've loved doing."

The Bay of Plenty union was formed in 1911 and celebrations are planned for next year.