2005 New Zealand rugby league season

The 2005 New Zealand rugby league season was the 98th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the sixth season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Mt Albert Lions won the Cup by defeating the Canterbury Bulls 24–22 in the Grand Final.

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team played Australia at Auckland's Ericsson Stadium as part of the Tri-Nations. New Zealand lost this match 26-28 but went on to win the tournament, defeating Australia 24–0 in the final at Elland Road. Earlier in the year New Zealand had lost the ANZAC Test, 16–32. Coached by Brian McClennan, for the Tri-Nations New Zealand included; Louis Anderson, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless, David Faiumu, Awen Guttenbeil, Shontayne Hape, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, David Kidwell, Ali Lauiti'iti, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua, Paul Rauhihi, David Solomona, Motu Tony, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Vagana, Manu Vatuvei, Brent Webb, Jake Webster, Paul Whatuira, Bronson Harrison and captain Ruben Wiki. Jerome Ropati, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Wairangi Koopu, Dene Halatau and Jamahl Lolesi played in the ANZAC Test but did not tour. Daniel Anderson coached the Kiwis in the ANZAC Test before resigning in June and being replaced by McClennan.


21 October 2005
Australia 28–26 New Zealand
Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 15,400[1]

In February a New Zealand Residents team competed in the St Marys Invitational Sevens tournament in Sydney. The Team included Paul Atkins and Charlie Herekotukutuku[2] A full Residents team then played against a New South Wales Country side and a Jim Beam Cup selection in October.[3] The team was coached by Phil Prescott and included Shane Beyers and Corey Lawrie.

The New Zealand Māori side hosted the Cook Islands in October, the three match series was drawn 1-all and broadcast live on Māori Television.[4] The New Zealand Māori were coached by Tawera Nikau while Kevin Iro coached the Cook Islands.[5] The New Zealand Māori included Weller Hauraki, Kaine Manihera, Herewini Rangi and Aaron Heremaia while Cook Islands team included George Tuakura and Marty Mitchell.

New Zealand hosted the 2005 Women's Rugby League World Cup. The Kiwi Ferns won the tournament, defeating the New Zealand Māori side in the final.

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Bartercard Cup

The 2005 Bartercard Cup was the sixth season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Mount Albert Lions claimed their third and final premiership, as in 2006 they were replaced by the Auckland Lions.

The Teams

Seasons Standings

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
Mt Albert Lions 16120457032624424
Canterbury Bulls 16110554338815522
Counties Manukau Jetz 1611054453796622
North Harbour Tigers 16100650832318520
Hibiscus Coast Raiders 1692551236215020
Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards 169074424123018
Marist Richmond Brothers 168263993871218
Wellington Franchise 16538418459-4113
Central Falcons 16439299531-23211
Glenora Bears 164111388486-989
Eastern Tornadoes 163112339558-2197
Waicoa Bay Stallions 163013368620-2526

The Playoffs

Match Winner Loser
Elimination Play-offNorth Harbour Tigers30Hibiscus Coast Raiders20
Preliminary SemifinalCanterbury Bulls36Counties Manukau Jetz18
Elimination SemifinalCounties Manukau Jetz32North Harbour Tigers30
Qualification SemifinalCanterbury Bulls34Mt Albert Lions24
Preliminary FinalMt Albert Lions39Counties Manukau Jetz22
Grand Final

The Canterbury Bulls lost the grand final when Fabian Soutar scored for Mt Albert in the last second of the match.[18]

TeamTotal
Mt Albert Lions24
Canterbury Bulls22
Tries (Mt Albert Lions) 2: P.Ah Van
1: R.Baxter, P.Fisi'iahi, F.Soutar
Tries (Canterbury Bulls) 1: J.O'Brien, T.Pelenise, D.Metcalf, C.Lawrie
Goals (Mt Albert Lions) 2: S.Buckingham
Goals (Canterbury Bulls) 3: J.O'Brien
Venue Ericsson Stadium

Australian competitions

The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 11th out of 15 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Manurewa Marlins won the Fox Memorial trophy while the Papakura Sea Eagles won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). Manurewa, who were coached by Rusty Matua and player-coach Richie Blackmore won the Grand Final 34–24 over Papakura.[19]

The Howick Hornets won the Sharman Cup (Division Two).

Wellington

Petone play North City at Rugby League Park in the Wellington Rugby League grand final. As of 2011, this is the last major game of rugby league to be played at the venue.[20]

Canterbury

Linwood won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae defeated Taniwharau to win the Waicoa Bay grand final.[21]

2005 was the first year of the Eastern Alliance club rugby league competition, which involved clubs from the Hawke's Bay Rugby League and Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League.[22][23]

References

  1. "Tri-Nations 2005". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  2. 1 2 Bulls in NZ squad to contest league sevens The Press, 7 February 2005
  3. 5 Bulls called for play in Aust The Press, 15 September 2005
  4. 2005 International Rugby League Results & Tables Rugby League International Scores
  5. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 332. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2.
  6. 1 2 3 NZ Presidents Selection / 2005 Tag International Series Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine leagueunlimited, 24 February 2005
  7. New Zealand A prop dies after collapse AAP, 8 July 2005
  8. Ngamu gets Tigers call-up The Press, 5 August 2005
  9. Mount Albert spurred on by memory of team-mate Sunday Star-Times, 18 September 2005
  10. Bulls face Otahuhu and its hefty reinforcements The Press, 16 April 2005
  11. 1 2 3 New Bartercard Cup takes shape TVNZ, 26 January 2006
  12. Whakarau calls it a day with Central Falcons The Evening Standard, 17 August 2005
  13. Character counters size The Press, 16 September 2005
  14. Bartercard Cup debuts The Press, 13 April 2005
  15. "From the Bulls to the Broncos". sportingpulse. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  16. Canterbury Bull's Draw The Press, 15 April 2005
  17. Poised for 100; Shane Beyers The Press, 12 August 2005
  18. Grand final heartbreaker Soutar's last-second try mauls Bulls The Press, 19 September 2005
  19. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p. 347.
  20. Kilgallon, Steve. Whatever Happened to Rugby League Park? Sunday Star-Times, 17 April 2011. p. B7
  21. Grand final a fitting end for tangi teams Waikato Times, 25 August 2006
  22. Gisborne team humbled in horror weekend Hawke's Bay Today, 18 April 2005
  23. Mustangs reveal hope for Gisborne after more mismatches Hawke's Bay Today, 2 May 2005
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