National Competition
The National Competition (previously called the National Zonal Competition) is the top-level rugby league competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. In 2010 the competition replaced the Bartercard Premiership following a Sparc funded review and restructure of the New Zealand Rugby League. Since 2016 the competition has consisted of a four-team national championship and a four-team national premiership with a promotion and relegation between the two divisions.
Current season or competition: | |
Sport | Rugby league |
---|---|
Inaugural season | 2010 |
Replaced by | Bartercard Premiership |
Number of teams | 4 |
Country | New Zealand |
Holders | Akarana Falcons (2016) |
Most titles | Akarana Falcons (5 titles) |
Website | www.NZRL.co.nz/ |
Trophies and awards
Senior teams compete for the Albert Baskerville Trophy, which is named after Albert Baskerville, the organiser of the 1907-1908 All Golds tour. Under-17s compete for the Mark Graham Cup, which is named after Mark Graham, the New Zealand Rugby League player of the century. Under-15s compete for the Nathan Cayless Cup, which is named after Nathan Cayless, the only captain to win the World Cup for New Zealand.
Restructure
The competition was reformatted for the 2016 season, with Akarana, Counties Manukau, Canterbury and Wellington competing in a national championship. The Upper Central and Mid-Central zones reverted to district teams with these teams, alongside Northland and the South Island districts, competing in four regional championships. The four regional winners then compete in a National Premiership competition, which play a promotion-relegation match against the last placed national championship side.[1]
Championship teams
Team | Current Coach | Home Grounds |
---|---|---|
Akarana Falcons | Steve Buckingham | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
Canterbury Bulls South Island Scorpions |
Andrew Auimatagi[2] | Denton Park, Christchurch Trafalgar Park, Nelson Wingham Park, Greymouth |
Counties Manukau Stingrays | Rod Ratu | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
Wellington Orcas | Mike Kuiti | Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua |
Waikato defeated Wellington in the promotion/relegation match, and will replace them in the 2017 championship.
Season winners
Year | Albert Baskerville Trophy | Score | Runner up | Minor Premiers | Wooden Spoon | Score | Premiership winner | Mark Graham Cup (U-17) | Nathan Cayless Cup (U-15) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Auckland | 14 | 6 | Counties Manukau | Auckland | Northern Swords | N/A | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | ||
2011 | Auckland Pride | 44 | 34 | South Island | Auckland Pride | Northern Swords | Auckland Pride | Auckland Pride | |||
2012 | Akarana Falcons | 38 | 20 | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | Northern Swords | Akarana Falcons | Counties Manukau | |||
2013 | Akarana Falcons | 22 | 12 | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | Central Vipers | Counties Manukau | Akarana Falcons | |||
2014 | Canterbury Bulls | 40 | 8 | Waicoa Bay Stallions | Counties Manukau* | Northern Swords | Akarana Falcons | Akarana Falcons | |||
2015 | Counties Manukau[3] | 41 | 10 | Canterbury Bulls | Counties Manukau | Northern Swords | Akarana Falcons | Akarana Falcons | |||
2016 | Akarana Falcons[4] | 32 | 12 | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | Wellington Orcas | 14 | 38 | Waikato | Akarana Falcons | Counties Manukau |
2017 | Akarana Falcons | 30 | 4 | Waikato | Akarana Falcons | Wellington Orcas | Bay of Plenty Lakers | ||||
2018 | Akarana Falcons | 51 | 20 | Counties Manukau | Akarana Falcons | Wellington Orcas |
*In 2014 Counties Manukau were disqualified from the final for fielding an ineligible player.
See also
- NZRL National Youth Tournament
- NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament
- NZRL Women's National Tournament
References
- "NZRL re-launch national competition for 2016". APRL. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- "Auimatagi new Canterbury Bulls coach". 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- Stingrays romp home in premiership final nzrl.co.nz, 17 October 2015
- "Falcons fly high for premiership crown".