1999 New Zealand rugby league season

The 1999 New Zealand rugby league season was the 92nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League.

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team competed in and co-hosted the inaugural Tri-Nations tournament. They lost the final to Australia after defeating both Australia and Great Britain in pool play. Earlier in the season the Kiwis had lost the ANZAC Test to Australia and had defeated Tonga in a Test Match notable for Stacey Jones breaking his arm during the match. New Zealand were coached by Frank Endacott and included; Tri-Nations captain Richie Barnett, Sean Hoppe, Willie Talau, Ruben Wiki, Lesley Vainikolo, Robbie and Henry Paul, Stacey Jones, Jason Lowrie, Nigel and Joe Vagana, Nathan Cayless, ANZAC Test captain Jarrod McCracken, Logan Swann, David Kidwell, Matt Rua, Terry Hermansson, Richard Swain, Brian Jellick, Tony Puletua, Stephen Kearney, Gene Ngamu and Craig Smith.

The New Zealand Māori rugby league team played, and lost to, Great Britain in the curtain raiser to the Tri-Nations final. The team was: Alex Chan, Steve Matthews, Lewis, Steve Berryman, Jared Mills, Luke Goodwin, Willie Rangi, Paul Rauhihi, Tukere Barlow, John Edmonds, Robert Henare, Darren Rameka, Andrew Wynyard. Substitutions: Gavin Bailey, Martin Moana, Frank Watene, Wairangi Koopu. Coach: Cameron Bell. Referee: David Pakieto.[1] The Māori's had already toured Papua New Guinea earlier in the year. This team included Henry Perenara, Jamie Cook, Shontayne Hape and James Stosic.[2][3][4]

The Junior Kiwis included Henry Perenara.[5]

The New Zealand Universities team attended the Student World Cup in Great Britain. They won Pool B, accounting for Wales and Canada, and advanced through the finals. They defeated the England Students team 46-16 at The Boulevard, winning the World Cup.[6]

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Waikato started the year holding the Rugby League Cup. Taranaki then challenged for the trophy, defeating Waikato 68-8 on 24 April.[7]

National Provincial Competition

The New Zealand Rugby League ran a National Provincial Competition throughout the season. Auckland was divided into North and South. However a combined Auckland side defeated New South Wales Country 33-6. This side was coached by Stan Martin and included 8 Glenora Bears players, including Boycie Nelson and Steve Buckingham.[8]

The Teams

Northland Wild Boars.[9]
Auckland North were coached by the Dominic Clark (Glenora). The squad was: Jarrod Trott (Northcote), Steve Matthews (Glenora), Peter Lewis (Warriors), David Bailey (Glenora), Boycie Nelson (Glenora), Len Macginley (Hibiscus), Aaron Tucker (Glenora), Reece Guy (Hibiscus), Junior Fiu (Glenora), Brett Kingham (Glenora), Kosta Malamatinos (Glenora), Richard White (Hibiscus), Keneti Asiata (Northcote), Wairangi Koopu (Glenora), Greg Ashby (Glenora), Henry Perenara (Warriors), Cliff Beverley (Warriors), Lee Weatherill (Marist/Bay Roskill), Clinton Pouesi (Glenora), Jamie Cook (Northcote), Shane Endacott (Warriors).[10] Gene Ngamu was later bought into the squad.[11]
Auckland South were coached by Stan Martin (Mangere East). The squad was: Tama Hohaia (Mangere East), Corey Palmer (Otahuhu), Charlie Kennedy (Mangere East), Ben Fahey (Otahuhu), Loni Filimeohala (Otahuhu), Fergie Edwards (Mangere East), Gus Malietoa-Brown (Tornadoes), Lionel Pereira (Manurewa), Scott Welsh (Manurewa), Dean Clark (Otahuhu), Channerith Ly (Manurewa), Shane Edwards (Otahuhu), Gaivin Welsh (Manurewa), Sam Hanson (Ellersllie), Eric Pele (Manukau), Jason Arama (Manurewa), Esau Mann (Mangere East), Bryan Henare (Warriors), Phillip Leuluai (Otahuhu), Sinave Gasu (Otahuhu), Clinton Toopi (Warriors), Wayne Barnett (Manurewa), Herman Lomafa (Mangere East), Eneasi Finefeuiaki (Mangere East), Aleo Kapua (Ellerslie).[10] Henry Fa'afili and Hare Te Rangi also played for the side.[12]
Waikato were coached by Dennis Beazley and included Tukere Barlow.[13][14]
The Bay of Plenty Stags included former Kiwi Mark Woods.[15]
The Taranaki Sharks included James Stosic and three NSWRL First Division players signed from the Cronulla Sharks.[16] They also named Tino Brown and Billy Weepu, who had both already played for Wellington.[17] They were both ruled ineligible by the NZRL Appeals committee.
Wellington included Paul Whatuira, Billy Weepu and Paul Howell.[18] Wellington also lost to New South Wales Country 44-10.[12]
Canterbury were coached by Gerard Stokes and included Maurice Emslie, Lusi Sione and Mike Dorreen.[15][19] Aaron Whittaker made a comeback half way through the season, despite having retired from representative football.[20]

Finals

Semifinals			Qualifying Final			Grand Final

1	Auckland South	22
2	Auckland North	0					Auckland South	24
				Auckland North	20		Auckland North	22
				Taranaki	18
3	Canterbury	32
4	Taranaki	41

Canterbury, Taranaki, Auckland North and Auckland South all qualified for the finals.[21][22]

In a MacIntyre final four playoff system Taranaki defeated Canterbury 41-32 in the first round.[17][23]

Auckland North defeated Taranaki 20-18 to qualify for the grand final against Auckland South.[24]

The final was won by Auckland South who defeated Auckland North 24-22.[25]

Australian competitions

The Auckland Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 11th out of 20 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Glenora Bears won the pre-season Roope Rooster, the minor premiership Rukutai Shield and the grand final Fox Memorial to complete a clean sweep of the Auckland Rugby League club trophies. In the final, played at Carlaw Park, Glenora defeated Otahuhu 24-4.[5] Glenora included Henry Perenara, David Bailey, Boycie Nelson, Steve Buckingham and Wairangi Koopu. The Super 12 tournament had been expanded to include two new teams; the Eastern Tornadoes and the Hibiscus Coast Raiders.[26]

Gus Malietoa-Brown played for the Eastern Tornadoes while Dean Clark and Phillip Leuluai played for Otahuhu and Esau Mann represented Mangere East.

The Mount Albert Lions won the Sharman Cup.[12]

Wellington

Canterbury

Halswell and Horby met in the Canterbury Rugby League grand final which was held at Rugby League Park on 19 September.[27] Halswell won 30-12.[28] Mike Dorreen and Aaron Whittaker played for Halswell[29]

Scott Codyre was named the outstanding player of the year.[30]

Aranui High School won the Canterbury secondary schools senior competition.[31]

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae won the Waikato Rugby League grand final, defeating Hukanui 32-22 at Davies Park in Huntly.[32] Former Kiwi Kelly Shelford played for the Hamilton City Tigers.[33]

Marist defeated the Waitara Bears 28-20 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.[34]

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References

GB have Long to thank BBC Sport, 5 November 1999
Whiz kid surprise for Canty The Press, 23 July 1999
Jessup, Peter (3 November 1999). "Rugby League: It's a different world for Maori". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
Heat, humidity stacks up against Maori side AAP Sports News, 10 June 1999
Junior Kiwi enjoys life in fast lane Sunday Star-Times, 19 September 1999
The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup Archived 19 May 2002 at the Wayback Machine srlalumni.supanet.com
Sharks put bite on Waikato Cougars Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1999
Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.323.
Stokes on alert for 'hit men' The Press, 1 May 1999
Injury gives Hoppe a starting chance New Zealand Herald, 16 March 1999
Waikato lose gallant fight Waikato Times, 20 March 1999
Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
New coach puts fresh blood into Waikato Waikato Times, 19 March 1999
League squad named Waikato Times, 25 February 1999
Focus on Kiwi prop The Press, 26 June 1999
Tough job for depleted Canty The Press, 20 March 1999
Canterbury to protest Taranaki win Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1999
Young star hurts Canty The Press, 29 March 1999
Dorreen returns after six years The Press, 26 April 1999
Whittaker to rescue The Press, 10 April 1999
Taranaki has second thoughts on ineligible players The Press, 25 September 1999
Play-offs place uncertain despite landslide The Press, 28 June 1999
Selection woes for Taranaki Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1999
Last-minute loss for Taranaki Sharks Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1999
Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.322.
Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.318.
Champion effort sought in grand final The Press, 18 September 1999
Grand final delight for Halswell The Press, 20 September 1999
Sydenham puts play-offs case The Press, 16 August 1999
Hornby duo sweep league awards The Press, 25 September 1999
Aranui students make the switch The Press, 28 July 1999
Turangawaewae trounce grand final challengers Waikato Times, 18 October 1999
Shelford helps Tigers to runaway victory Waikato Times, 17 May 1999
Taranaki Grand Final Countdown Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 July 2003

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[1] GB have Long to thank BBC Sport, 5 November 1999

[2] Whiz kid surprise for Canty The Press, 23 July 1999

[NZ_Herald_50093-3] Jessup, Peter (3 November 1999). "Rugby League: It's a different world for Maori". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2011.

[4] Heat, humidity stacks up against Maori side AAP Sports News, 10 June 1999

[jk-5] Junior Kiwi enjoys life in fast lane Sunday Star-Times, 19 September 1999

[6] The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup Archived 19 May 2002 at the Wayback Machine srlalumni.supanet.com

[7] Sharks put bite on Waikato Cougars Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1999

[8] Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.323.

[9] Stokes on alert for 'hit men' The Press, 1 May 1999

[hoppe-10] Injury gives Hoppe a starting chance New Zealand Herald, 16 March 1999

[11] Waikato lose gallant fight Waikato Times, 20 March 1999

[akl100-12] Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.

[13] New coach puts fresh blood into Waikato Waikato Times, 19 March 1999

[14] League squad named Waikato Times, 25 February 1999

[focus-15] Focus on Kiwi prop The Press, 26 June 1999

[16] Tough job for depleted Canty The Press, 20 March 1999

[protest-17] Canterbury to protest Taranaki win Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1999

[18] Young star hurts Canty The Press, 29 March 1999

[19] Dorreen returns after six years The Press, 26 April 1999

[20] Whittaker to rescue The Press, 10 April 1999

[eligible-21] Taranaki has second thoughts on ineligible players The Press, 25 September 1999

[22] Play-offs place uncertain despite landslide The Press, 28 June 1999

[23] Selection woes for Taranaki Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1999

[24] Last-minute loss for Taranaki Sharks Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1999

[25] Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.322.

[26] Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.318.

[27] Champion effort sought in grand final The Press, 18 September 1999

[28] Grand final delight for Halswell The Press, 20 September 1999

[29] Sydenham puts play-offs case The Press, 16 August 1999

[30] Hornby duo sweep league awards The Press, 25 September 1999

[31] Aranui students make the switch The Press, 28 July 1999

[32] Turangawaewae trounce grand final challengers Waikato Times, 18 October 1999

[33] Shelford helps Tigers to runaway victory Waikato Times, 17 May 1999

[34] Taranaki Grand Final Countdown Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 July 2003

Rugby league in New Zealand
Federations	New Zealand Rugby League
Representative teams	Men's ("Kiwis") Women's ("Kiwi Ferns") Junior Māori Residents
New Zealand Kiwis	Players Coaches Matches
Zones	Northern Auckland Counties-Manukau Upper Central Mid-Central Wellington Southern
Districts	Auckland (team) Bay of Plenty (team) Canterbury (team) Coastline (team) Gisborne Tairawhiti (team) Manawatu (team) Northland (team) Otago (team) Southland (team) Hawke's Bay (team) Taranaki (team) Tasman (team) Waikato (team) Wellington (team) West Coast (team)
Australian competition teams	New Zealand Warriors (NRL) Auckland Vulcans (defunct) Auckland Lions (defunct)
Competitions	National Competition NZRL Women's National Tournament Rugby League Cup Bartercard Premiership (defunct) Bartercard Cup (defunct) Lion Red Cup (defunct)
New Zealand domestic seasons	1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027