Terry Boyle captains new Winton Star rugby combination in 1976......

The biggest change in the Central Western rugby competition in 1976 was the amalgamation of Waiau Star and Winton.  This was a good move as both teams had suffered some large losses in the 1975 season and it would make sense to combine the two teams.  It is a hard task to bring two cultures together but with the changing face of country rugby it was a move in the right direction.  Their first game up for 1976 saw them sporting a  new uniform and players.

The most significant gain for the club was Malcolm Walker from Green Island who  had pace and good ball skills which  enhanced the backline.  He always looked for work and had a useful left foot kick.
Graham Muir freshly out of the Kingswell High School first XV and Wally Herewini were  the first and second five-eights, respectively.
Keith Neylon will be half-back, although playing out of position would have been a great asset to the team.
Southland winger, Leo Boyle was a great loss to the new team but he had an injured leg and gave the season a miss.
Jim Lambie, Allan McDowell and Paul McIlwrick were from the Central Star team.
The captain selected was a youthful No. 8, Terry Boyle who had the personality and committment to bring the team together.
Loose forwards were Norman Hall and David Ward, and the locks were Bruce Cambell and David McHugh.
Don Middleton, Charlie Stewart and Keith Finn were all good solid rugby players making up the front row.

Reference:  Otautau Team Hit Hard.  The Southland Times April 1976