Northland rugby league team

The Northland rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Northland Region in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They are based in Whangarei. They currently compete in the Albert Baskerville Trophy as the Northern Swords.

Northland rugby league team
Club information
Nickname(s)Swords, Wild Boars, Storm
Websitenorthernswords.co.nz
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Okara Park, Whangarei
  • Lindvart Park, Kaikohe
    Okura Park, Whangarei
CoachJon Renes
CaptainChris Bamford
CompetitionNew Zealand Rugby League
Records
Rugby League Cup1931

Between 2006 and 2007 they were part of the Bartercard Cup, playing under the name the Northern Storm. Northland was originally known as North Auckland and has previously used the nickname the Wild Boars.

The 2015 captain is Chris Bamford.

History

Northlands first season was 1929 and they challenged Auckland for the Northern Union Cup, losing 22–19.[1]

2006-2007: Bartercard Cup
The Northern Storm logo

The Northern Storm joined the Bartercard Cup in time for the 2006 season. There inclusion was due to the work of Anthony Murray and Harry Clyde.[2]

The Storm's first win was 40–22 against Wellington and was dedicated to Murray who had died earlier that week.[3]

Notable players

New Zealand Warriors associated with the Northern Storm included Todd Byrne & Grant Rovelli.

2006 results

In the Northern Storm's debut season in 2006 the club performed poorly, managing only two wins and two draws from eighteen matches. They finished in last position on the table, collecting the Wooden Spoon.

A bright point of the season was that fullback Brendon Hikaka, centre Mason Pure and hooker Linton Price were all selected for the Junior Kiwis.[4]

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams) Finals
2006 182214314802-4886Wooden Spoon (Ten)N/A

2007 results

Before the season started 2006 Head Coach Geoff Morton moved South and joined the Counties Manukau Jetz. He was replaced by Phil Marsh. The Storm started the season strongly with big wins against the Jetz (54-28) and Central Falcons (48-24). However they then suffered heavy losses to both the Waitakere Rangers (66-16) and league leaders the Auckland Lions (70-8). The squad showed improvement since 2006 but they again finished near the bottom of the table.

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams)
2007 184014372730-3588Eighth (10)
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References
  1. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
  2. Big crowd expected to farewell the Storm The Northern Advocate, 17 August 2007
  3. Thousands farewell Ngati Haua stalwart The Northern Advocate, 22 May 2006
  4. Storm trio take a step up The Northern Advocate, 25 August 2006
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