Ronald Bryers was the third from King Country to wear the Silver Fern. War service and injuries meant an intermittent career, which does not do justice to the ability he showed when available. Ron Bryers was born at Raetihi, on November 14, 1919. He played full-back for the local school in 1932, and in his four years at Ohakune District High School was in turn flanker, wing-threequarter and centre-threequarter, with the captaincy in his two final seasons, and junior Sub-Union honours in 1937. He then attended Teachers' Training College in Wellington in 1938, playing in the college 1st XV that year and again in 1939. He was teaching in Bulls in 1940 and with Bulls Club gained Rangitikei Sub-Union and Wanganui "B" jerseys. Ronald Bryers returned to his home town in 1941, playing at lock for Raetihi Club, and represented King Country in his first 1st Class fixture - v. Waikato, at Taumarunui, in July 5. In 1942, Ron Bryers was in the Army, on duty in the Pacific playing for 34th Battalion in Fiji, and for 3rd New Zealand Division on its return to New Zealand. Stationed in New Caledonia in 1943, he again appeared in 34th Battalion games, but had no Rugby at all in 1944 when located with an Air Force unit in the Islands. His unit returned to Whenuapai Base in 1945, but before being discharged from the Services represented Northern Combined Services, twice, and North Island Combined Services against South Island Combined Services, at Wellington. Near the season's end, A New Zealand Maori XV was selected to play at Auckland, Ronald Bryers being given leave from the Air Force to play in the match. Hostilities ended, and Rugby was soon to assume normal aspects. Ron Bryers took up teaching in Taumarunui in 1946, and he joined with the Taumarunui Athletic Club as its Coach and captain. He captained the King Country representative side in all its six fixtures, was a member of the combined Taranaki-King Country XV against the visiting Australian team, at New Plymouth, played for New Zealand Maoris against Manawatu (as captain) at Palmerston North, and against Australia at Hamilton. He was unable to play after an early-season injury in 1947, whilst he missed possible selection to take part in the New Zealand trials, from which he had to withdraw. Neither was he available in 1948. However, Ronald Bryers returned to the field for the 1949 season, with happy results. He went to Australia with the New Zealand Maori team in May, appearing in five matches, and versus Auckland after the side had returned to New Zealand. He captained King Country in its four matches, before the final fixture being in the A New Zealand XV against Horowhenua, at Levin. From this virtual trial, Ronald Bryers was selected for the All Blacks to play against Australia, at Wellington. Also playing for the All Blacks that day was John McLean, now representing Auckland. Return back to the King Country, Bryers played in the match against Wanganui at Otorohanga. Following this he retired from playing rugby. Since his retirement, Ron Bryers has done much in the way of administration. Bay of Plenty then claimed him: he was headmaster of Mount Maunganui School at the time of his retirement and served as selector for Bay of Plenty 1962-73, N Z Maoris 1957, 58.