1959 New Zealand rugby league season |
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The 1959 New Zealand rugby league season was the 52nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
New Zealand toured Australia, losing the series 1–2. The team was coached by Travers Hardwick and included; Gary Phillips, Reese Griffiths, Cyril Eastlake, George P Turner, Neville Denton, George Menzies, Keith Roberts, Henry Maxwell, Jock Butterfield, captain Cliff Johnson, Trevor Kilkelly, Ron Ackland, Rex Percy, Brian Campbell, Joe Ratima and Mel Cooke.
The Auckland Rugby League's champion Western Districts defeated the New South Wales Rugby League's St. George Dragons 8–7 at Carlaw Park in September. The Dragons had previously been undefeated during the season. [1] The Dragons defeated the Ellerslie Eagles 11–10. [2]
Auckland again held the Northern Union Cup at the end of the season.
Western United won the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Trophy and Rukutai Shield. [3] Western United defeated Richmond 15–0 in the Fox Memorial final. [1] Ellerslie won the Roope Rooster and Stormont Shield.
Auckland hosted a week-long club tournament to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Western United won the title, defeating Papanui (Canterbury) 39–14. Other competitors were Wellington Marist and Huntly South (Waikato). One week later Western United defeated the St. George Dragons 8–7. [4]
Under the Auckland Rugby League's "district scheme", which lasted until 1963, Otahuhu, Papakura and Papatoetoe combined to form "Southern Districts" and Mount Albert and Point Chevalier formed "Western Districts". Ponsonby refused to amalgamate with Richmond and instead was relegated into the second division. [1]
Tommy Baxter was the Western United's player-coach and the side also included vice-captain Henry Maxwell, Laurie Olliff and Don Hammond. [1]
Marist won the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield. [3]
Papanui won the Canterbury Rugby League's Massetti Cup. [3]
Jock Butterfield was the captain-coach of Brunner in the West Coast Rugby League competition. Greymouth Marist defeated Papanui 31–13 to win the Thacker Shield. [4]
The 1947 New Zealand rugby league season was the 40th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1952 New Zealand rugby league season was the 45th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1953 New Zealand rugby league season was the 46th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1955 New Zealand rugby league season was the 48th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1956 New Zealand rugby league season was the 49th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1957 New Zealand rugby league season was the 50th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1958 New Zealand rugby league season was the 51st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1960 New Zealand rugby league season was the 53rd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1961 New Zealand rugby league season was the 54th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1962 New Zealand rugby league season was the 55th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1963 New Zealand rugby league season was the 56th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1968 New Zealand rugby league season was the 61st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1970 New Zealand rugby league season was the 63rd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1971 New Zealand rugby league season was the 64th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1972 New Zealand rugby league season was the 65th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1973 New Zealand rugby league season was the 66th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
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The 1976 New Zealand rugby league season was the 69th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. This was the first season played under the current rule of each team being limited to six tackles per possession.
The 1977 New Zealand rugby league season was the 70th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1978 New Zealand rugby league season was the 71st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.