2017 New Zealand rugby league season

The 2017 New Zealand rugby league season was the 110th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Competition, run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The New Zealand national rugby league team also competed at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

International competitions

New Zealand were in Group B of the World Cup. They defeated Samoa 38-8 and will play Scotland and Tonga. Coached by David Kidwell, Adam Blair captains the side which includes Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Gerard Beale, Kenny Bromwich, Addin Fonua-Blake, Peta Hiku, Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai, Danny Levi, Isaac Liu, Simon Mannering, Te Maire Martin, Jason Nightingale, Kodi Nikorima, Russell Packer, Jordan Rapana, Brad Takairangi, Joseph Tapine, Martin Taupau, Elijah Taylor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Dean Whare.[1]

New Zealand lost the 2017 Anzac Test 12-30. Coached by David Kidwell the team was Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare, Jordan Rapana, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich (c), Issac Luke, Russell Packer, Kevin Proctor, Simon Mannering, Jason Taumalolo. Bench: Adam Blair, Martin Taupau, Kenny Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima. Elijah Taylor, David Fusitu'a and Brandon Smith were a part of the Kiwis squad but did not play in the match. Following the match Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were both caught with cocaine at a night club. They were subsequently fined by their clubs and suspended from the World Cup.[2]

The Kiwi Ferns lost 4-16 to the Australian Jillaroos in the Anzac Test.[3] Coached by Tony Benson, the team was Sarina Fiso (c), Langi Veainu, Corrina Whiley, Va'anessa Molia-Fraser, Atawhai Tupaea, Georgia Hale, Alex Cook, Lilieta Maumau, Krystal Rota, Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, Crystal Tamarua, Teuila Fotu-Moala and Laura Mariu. Bench: Annetta Nuuausala, Hilda Peters, Ngatokotoru Arakua and Nora Maaka. For the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup, The Kiwi Ferns selectors considered Australian-based players for the first time. Jason Stanton assists Benson at the tournament.[4] The squad is Racquel Anderson, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Sharlene Atai, Maitua Feterika, Teuila Fotu Moala, Louisa Gago, Georgia Hale (vc), Honey Hireme, Amber Kani, Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, Laura Mariu (c), Lilieta Maumau, Nita Maynard, Raecene McGregor, Krystal Murray, Kimiora Nati, Apii Nicholls-Pualau, Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala, Hilda Peters, Kahurangi Peters, Krystal Rota, Aieshaleigh Smalley, Atawhai Tupaea and Shontelle Woodman. New Zealand will play Canada, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.

The Junior Kiwis were coached by Nathan Cayless and included Patrick Herbert, Gregory Leleisiuao, Reimis Smith, Siosifa Talakai, Steven Marsters, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Erin Clark, Emry Pere, Jarome Luai (c), Fabien Paletua-Kiri, Briton Nikora, Dane Aukafolau, Isaiah Papalii. Interchange: Manase Fainu, Moeaki Fotuaika, Kaleb Fuimaono and Sitili Tupouniua.[5][6]

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Auckland are the holders of the Rugby League Cup but have not defended the trophy since 2012.

National Competition

2017 was the eighth year of the National Competition. The tournament began on 17 September.[7]

National Championship

Season standings
Team
Akarana Falcons
Waikato
Canterbury Bulls
Counties Manukau Stingrays
Final
Home Score Away Match Information
Date Venue
Akarana Falcons 30-4 Waikato 7 October Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland[8]

National Premiership

Team
Bay of Plenty Lakers
Otago Whalers
Wellington Orcas
Promotion/Relegation
Home Score Away Match Information
Date Venue
Counties Manukau Stingrays 64-4 Bay of Plenty Lakers 7 October Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

Regional competitions

The Southern regional series involved the Southland Rams, the Otago Whalers, the Tasman Titans, the West Coast Chargers and a new district, the Aoraki Eels.[9][10]

Australian competitions

The New Zealand Warriors played in their 23rd first grade season in the Australian competition.

The Warriors also fielded teams in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW and the Holden Cup.[11]

For the fourth consecutive year, Auckland hosted the NRL Auckland Nines.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Glenora Bears won the Fox Memorial, defeating the Point Chevalier Pirates 26-0 to win the Auckland Rugby League title.[12] Glenora also won the Roope Rooster Challenge Trophy.[13]

The Otahuhu Leopards defeated the Bay Roskill Vikings 34-20 to win the Sharman Cup.[14]

The ARL Coastal Classic Nines were held on the Hibiscus Coast, after two years in Whitianga.[15] The Pt Chevalier Pirates defeated the Hibiscus Coast Raiders 16-12 in the final to win the tournament.[16]

Tevita Latu and Kevin Locke played for Point Chevalier while Epalahame Lauaki played for Glenora.[17][18]

Wellington

Whiti Te Ra defeated the Wainuiomata Lions 18-8 to win the Wellington Rugby League title.[19]

Canterbury

The Linwood Keas won the Canterbury Rugby League title, defeating the Hornby Panthers 34-20.[20]

Northland

Moerewa Tigers won the Whangarei City & Districts title, defeating the Takahiwai Warriors 44-24 at Toll Stadium, Whangarei.[21]

Ngati Kahu Sharks won the Taitokerau rugby league title, defeating the Kaikohe Lions 46-12.[22]

Waikato

Taniwharau won the Waikato Rugby League title, defeating the Hamilton City Tigers 16-14.[23]

References

  1. ↑ "Kidwell names Kiwis captain for RLWC2017". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Drugs scandal costs Kiwi pair World Cup spots". Daily Telegraph. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. ↑ Kennedy, Chris (5 May 2017). "Debutants star as Jillaroos dominate Ferns". NRL.com.
  4. ↑ "Boost for Kiwi Ferns ahead of World Cup". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "Junior Kangaroos v Junior Kiwis: Live stream". 5 May 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. ↑ "Junior Kiwis named to meet Junior Kangaroos in Anzac league test in Canberra". Stuff. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "Televised premiership draw confirmed". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  8. ↑ "Akarana beat Waikato to retain national premiership rugby league title". Stuff. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  9. ↑ http://www.nzrl.co.nz/fanzone/news/2017/8/otago-whalers-end-seven-year-drought/
  10. ↑ "Aoraki Eels slip into South Island representative rugby league competition". Stuff. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  11. ↑ Media, NRL Digital. "2017 DRAW - Intrust Super Premiership NSW". Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Glenora power past Pt Chevalier to claim Premiership title - Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "Auckland Rugby League - Auckland Rugby League". www.aucklandleague.co.nz. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  14. ↑ "Auckland Rugby League - Auckland Rugby League". www.aucklandleague.co.nz. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  15. ↑ "Hibiscus Raiders to host Auckland ARL Nines". 13 December 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  16. ↑ "Underdog Raiders side second at ARL Nines". 23 February 2017.
  17. ↑ "Former Warrior Kevin Locke in 'a good head space' ahead of club semi final". 15 August 2017.
  18. ↑ "Former Warriors, Kiwis stars to battle for 2017 Auckland club final". Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017 – via TVNZ.
  19. ↑ "Whiti Te Ra see off Wainuiomata in Wellington club rugby league grand final". Stuff. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  20. ↑ "Try-saving tackle by inspirational skipper Agaese Fiso sparks Linwood Keas' second consecutive Canterbury rugby league title". Stuff. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  21. ↑ Johnsen, Andrew (6 August 2017). "League: Moerewa break 10-year drought with grand final victory". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  22. ↑ "Ngāti Kahu Sharks take the Taitokerau Rugby League honours". Māori Television. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  23. ↑ "Taniwharau crowned Waikato club rugby league champions after beating Hamilton City Tigers in grand final". Stuff. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
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