1999 New Zealand rugby league season

1999 New Zealand rugby league season
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The 1999 New Zealand rugby league season was the 92nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League.

International competitions

See also: 1999 Anzac Test

The New Zealand national rugby league team competed in and co-hosted the inaugural Tri-Nations tournament. They lost the final to Australia after defeating both Australia and Great Britain in pool play. Earlier in the season the Kiwis had lost the Anzac Test to Australia and had defeated Tonga in a Test Match notable for Stacey Jones breaking his arm during the match. New Zealand were coached by Frank Endacott and included; Tri-Nations captain Richie Barnett, Sean Hoppe, Willie Talau, Ruben Wiki, Lesley Vainikolo, Robbie and Henry Paul, Stacey Jones, Jason Lowrie, Nigel and Joe Vagana, Nathan Cayless, Anzac Test captain Jarrod McCracken, Logan Swann, David Kidwell, Matt Rua, Terry Hermansson, Richard Swain, Brian Jellick, Tony Puletua, Stephen Kearney, Gene Ngamu and Craig Smith.

The New Zealand Māori rugby league team played, and lost to, Great Britain in the curtain raiser to the Tri-Nations final. The team was: Alex Chan, Steve Matthews, Lewis, Steve Berryman, Jared Mills, Luke Goodwin, Willie Rangi, Paul Rauhihi, Tukere Barlow, John Edmonds, Robert Henare, Darren Rameka, Andrew Wynyard. Substitutions: Gavin Bailey, Martin Moana, Frank Watene, Wairangi Koopu. Coach: Cameron Bell. Referee: David Pakieto. ^[1] The Māori's had already toured Papua New Guinea earlier in the year. This team included Henry Perenara, Jamie Cook, Shontayne Hape and James Stosic. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

The Junior Kiwis included Henry Perenara. ^[5]

The New Zealand Universities team attended the Student World Cup in Great Britain. They won Pool B, accounting for Wales and Canada, and advanced through the finals. They defeated the England Students team 46–16 at The Boulevard, winning the World Cup. ^[6]

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Waikato started the year holding the Rugby League Cup. Taranaki then challenged for the trophy, defeating Waikato 68–8 on 24 April. ^[7]

National Provincial Competition

The New Zealand Rugby League ran a National Provincial Competition throughout the season. Auckland was divided into North and South. However a combined Auckland side defeated New South Wales Country 33–6. This side was coached by Stan Martin and included 8 Glenora Bears players, including Boycie Nelson and Steve Buckingham. ^[8]

The Teams

• Northland Wild Boars. ^[9]
• Auckland North were coached by the Dominic Clark (Glenora). The squad was: Jarrod Trott (Northcote), Steve Matthews (Glenora), Peter Lewis (Warriors), David Bailey (Glenora), Boycie Nelson (Glenora), Len Macginley (Hibiscus), Aaron Tucker (Glenora), Reece Guy (Hibiscus), Junior Fiu (Glenora), Brett Kingham (Glenora), Kosta Malamatinos (Glenora), Richard White (Hibiscus), Keneti Asiata (Northcote), Wairangi Koopu (Glenora), Greg Ashby (Glenora), Henry Perenara (Warriors), Cliff Beverley (Warriors), Lee Weatherill (Marist/Bay Roskill), Clinton Pouesi (Glenora), Jamie Cook (Northcote), Shane Endacott (Warriors). ^[10] Gene Ngamu was later bought into the squad. ^[11]
• Auckland South were coached by Stan Martin (Mangere East). The squad was: Tama Hohaia (Mangere East), Corey Palmer (Otahuhu), Charlie Kennedy (Mangere East), Ben Fahey (Otahuhu), Loni Filimeohala (Otahuhu), Fergie Edwards (Mangere East), Gus Malietoa-Brown (Tornadoes), Lionel Pereira (Manurewa), Scott Welsh (Manurewa), Dean Clark (Otahuhu), Channerith Ly (Manurewa), Shane Edwards (Otahuhu), Gaivin Welsh (Manurewa), Sam Hanson (Ellersllie), Eric Pele (Manukau), Jason Arama (Manurewa), Esau Mann (Mangere East), Bryan Henare (Warriors), Phillip Leuluai (Otahuhu), Sinave Gasu (Otahuhu), Clinton Toopi (Warriors), Wayne Barnett (Manurewa), Herman Lomafa (Mangere East), Eneasi Finefeuiaki (Mangere East), Aleo Kapua (Ellerslie). ^[10] Henry Fa'afili and Hare Te Rangi also played for the side. ^[12]
• Waikato were coached by Dennis Beazley and included Tukere Barlow. ^{[13] [14]}
• The Bay of Plenty Stags included former Kiwi Mark Woods. ^[15]
• The Taranaki Sharks included James Stosic and three NSWRL First Division players signed from the Cronulla Sharks. ^[16] They also named Tino Brown and Billy Weepu, who had both already played for Wellington. ^[17] They were both ruled ineligible by the NZRL Appeals committee.
• Wellington included Paul Whatuira, Billy Weepu and Paul Howell. ^[18] Wellington also lost to New South Wales Country 44–10. ^[12]
• Canterbury were coached by Gerard Stokes and included Maurice Emslie, Lusi Sione and Mike Dorreen. ^{[15] [19]} Aaron Whittaker made a comeback halfway through the season, despite having retired from representative football. ^[20]

Finals

	Semifinals					Qualifying Final					Grand Final
	1	Auckland South	22								Auckland South		24
	2	Auckland North	0								Auckland North		22
						Auckland North		20
						Taranaki		18
	3	Canterbury	32
	4	Taranaki	41

Canterbury, Taranaki, Auckland North and Auckland South all qualified for the finals. ^{[21] [22]}

In a MacIntyre final four playoff system Taranaki defeated Canterbury 41–32 in the first round. ^{[17] [23]}

Auckland North defeated Taranaki 20–18 to qualify for the grand final against Auckland South. ^[24]

The final was won by Auckland South who defeated Auckland North 24–22. ^[25]

Australian competitions

Main article: 1999 Auckland Warriors season

The Auckland Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 11th out of 20 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

See also: Auckland Rugby League club trophies

The Glenora Bears won the pre-season Roope Rooster, the minor premiership Rukutai Shield and the grand final Fox Memorial to complete a clean sweep of the Auckland Rugby League club trophies. In the final, played at Carlaw Park, Glenora defeated Otahuhu 24–4. ^[5] Glenora included Henry Perenara, David Bailey, Boycie Nelson, Steve Buckingham and Wairangi Koopu. The Super 12 tournament had been expanded to include two new teams; the Eastern Tornadoes and the Hibiscus Coast Raiders. ^[26]

Gus Malietoa-Brown played for the Eastern Tornadoes while Dean Clark and Phillip Leuluai played for Otahuhu and Esau Mann represented Mangere East.

The Mount Albert Lions won the Sharman Cup. ^[12]

Canterbury

Halswell and Horby met in the Canterbury Rugby League grand final which was held at Rugby League Park on 19 September. ^[27] Halswell won 30–12. ^[28] Mike Dorreen and Aaron Whittaker played for Halswell ^[29]

Scott Codyre was named the outstanding player of the year. ^[30]

Aranui High School won the Canterbury secondary schools senior competition. ^[31]

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae won the Waikato Rugby League grand final, defeating Hukanui 32–22 at Davies Park in Huntly. ^[32] Former Kiwi Kelly Shelford played for the Hamilton City Tigers. ^[33]

Marist defeated the Waitara Bears 28–20 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final. ^[34]

References

1. GB have Long to thank BBC Sport, 5 November 1999
2. Whiz kid surprise for Canty ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 23 July 1999
3. Jessup, Peter (3 November 1999). "Rugby League: It's a different world for Maori". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 14 September 2011.
4. Heat, humidity stacks up against Maori side ^{[ dead link ]}AAP Sports News, 10 June 1999
5. Junior Kiwi enjoys life in fast lane ^{[ dead link ]}Sunday Star-Times, 19 September 1999
6. The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup Archived 19 May 2002 at the Wayback Machine srlalumni.supanet.com
7. Sharks put bite on Waikato Cougars ^{[ dead link ]}Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1999
8. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN   978-1-86969-366-4, p. 323.
9. Stokes on alert for 'hit men' ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 1 May 1999
10. Injury gives Hoppe a starting chance New Zealand Herald, 16 March 1999
11. Waikato lose gallant fight ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 20 March 1999
12. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN   978-1-86969-366-4.
13. New coach puts fresh blood into Waikato ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 19 March 1999
14. League squad named ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 25 February 1999
15. Focus on Kiwi prop ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 26 June 1999
16. Tough job for depleted Canty ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 20 March 1999
17. Canterbury to protest Taranaki win ^{[ dead link ]}Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1999
18. Young star hurts Canty ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 29 March 1999
19. Dorreen returns after six years ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 26 April 1999
20. Whittaker to rescue ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 10 April 1999
21. Taranaki has second thoughts on ineligible players ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 25 September 1999
22. Play-offs place uncertain despite landslide ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 28 June 1999
23. Selection woes for Taranaki ^{[ dead link ]}Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1999
24. Last-minute loss for Taranaki Sharks ^{[ dead link ]}Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1999
25. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN   978-1-86969-366-4, p. 322.
26. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN   978-1-86969-366-4, p. 318.
27. Champion effort sought in grand final ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 18 September 1999
28. Grand final delight for Halswell ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 20 September 1999
29. Sydenham puts play-offs case ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 16 August 1999
30. Hornby duo sweep league awards ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 25 September 1999
31. Aranui students make the switch ^{[ dead link ]}The Press, 28 July 1999
32. Turangawaewae trounce grand final challengers ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 18 October 1999
33. Shelford helps Tigers to runaway victory ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 17 May 1999
34. Taranaki Grand Final Countdown Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 July 2003