Taranaki rugby league team

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Taranaki rugby league team
Taranaki rugby league team.png
Club information
Nickname(s)Wildcats, Rockets, Sharks
ColoursBlack, white, yellow
Founded1908
Current details
Ground(s)
CoachStacey Lamb
Competition NZRL National Competition (Zone)
Rugby League Cup (District)
Records
Rugby League Cup 1975, 1977–79, 1985, 1999–2000

The Taranaki rugby league team (also known as the Taranaki Wildcats, formerly the Taranaki Sharks and the Taranaki Rockets) are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Taranaki Rugby League. They currently compete in the NZRL National Competition (Zonal team) and the Rugby League Cup (District team).

Contents

History

1908–1993

Taranaki competed in the first season of provincial rugby league in New Zealand. They shared a two match series with Auckland 1-all. Taranaki was led by New Zealand international Adam Lile.

In 2008 the Taranaki Rugby League named its Team of the Century: Dave Watson; Babe Hooker; Ron McKay; Willie Talau; Ernest Buckland; Tony Kemp; Issac Luke; Bruce Gall; Howie Tamati; Wille Southorn; Graeme West; Adam Lile; Barry Harvey. Bench: Jack McLeod; Fred White; Lance Moir; Jim Parker; Charles Hunt. [1]

1994–1996: Lion Red Cup

As the Taranaki Rockets, Taranaki competed in the Lion Red Cup between 1994 and 1996. They were coached by Teri Tamati, Allan Marshall and Howard Tamati over the three years of the competition. [2]

The team was originally going to be called the Taranaki Energisers but this name was vetoed by Eveready Batteries who owned the name in New Zealand. [3]

Season results

SeasonPldWDLPFPAPDPtsPositionFinals
1994 2210111481536−5521SixthN/A
1995 222119339770−4315EleventhN/A
1996 22110115164383322SeventhN/A

1997–2002

In 1997 the Taranaki Rugby League side that competed in the Super League Challenge Cup was also called the Rockets.

They adopted the Sharks nickname in 1998 after a public competition. Notable players included Paul Rauhihi, Iva Ropati and Artie Shead. [4]

2002–2003: Bartercard Cup

In 2002 and 2003 the Taranaki Wildcats competed in the Bartercard Cup. They were coached by Alan Jackson.

Season results

SeasonPosPldWDLPFPAPDPts
2002 Wooden Spoon162212334636−3026
2003 Wooden Spoon161015262932−6702

The Wildcats entered the competition in 2002 alongside the Central Falcons. They managed to compete in most games, winning two and with two draws. This was not enough to avoid the wooden spoon but most pundits predicted they would be better for the experience in 2003.

In 2003 they again collected the wooden spoon, only managing to win one game all season.

2008–2009: Bartercard Premiership

Taranaki were part of the Bartercard Premiership in 2008 and 2009, however they were not competitive and finished last and second to last in each year.

SeasonPldWDLPFPAPDPtsPositionFinals
2008 500596262−1160SixthN/A
2009 510486212−1262FifthN/A

2010–present: National Competition

In 2010, they joined the NZRL National Competition from the defunct Bartercard Premiership.

Notable players

The Taranaki team of the century was named in 2008 and included: 1. Dave Watson, 2. Babe Hooker, 3. Ron McKay, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Ernest Buckland, 6. Tony Kemp, 7. Issac Luke, 8. Bruce Gall, 9. Howie Tamati, 10. Willie Southorn, 11. Graeme West, 12. Adam Lile and 13. Barry Harvey. Bench: Jack McLeod, Fred White, Lance Moir, Jim Parker and 18. Charles Hunt. The coach was Alan Marshall and Graham Church was named as the referee of the century. [5]

Rugby League Tour Matches

Taranaki has also been a stop for touring international rugby league teams between 1912 and 1990. They played 15 games against various teams, though never once managed a victory. [6]

GameDateResultVenueAttendanceNotes
129 August 1912 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 24–0Western Park, New Plymouth 1,0001912 NSW Tour of New Zealand
227 August 1913 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 16–5Hāwera Showground, Hāwera 1,0001913 NSW Tour of New Zealand
323 July 1914 England colours.svg Northern Union def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 43–11Taumata Park, Eltham 2,000 1914 Great Britain Lions tour
44 August 1936 Great Britain colours.svg England def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 35–4 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 3,000 1936 Great Britain Lions tour
511 August 1951 France colours.svg France def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 23–7 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 6,473 1951 French tour of Australasia
66 July 1953 Australian colours.svg Australia def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 16–5 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 1,950 1953 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand
74 August 1953 United States colours.svg USA def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 21–18 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 3,0001953 American All-Stars tour
84 August 1955 France colours.svg France def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 46–17 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 4,5001955 French tour of Australasia
928 July 1958 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 67–8 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 1,200 1958 Great Britain Lions tour
1025 July 1960 France colours.svg France def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 21–30Hāwera Showground, Hāwera 1,2341960 French tour of Australasia
1128 June 1961 Australian colours.svg Australia def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 34–0Burnside Showgrounds, Hāwera 600 1961 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand
125 August 1964 France colours.svg France def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 22–4 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 1,2001964 French tour of Australasia
1315 June 1965 Australian colours.svg Australia def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 23–7 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 6,473 1965 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand
1415 August 1966 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 51–17 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 539 1966 Great Britain Lions tour
154 July 1990 Great Britain colours.svg Great Britain def. Sunshine Coast Colours.svg Taranaki 24–0 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 2,000 1990 Great Britain Lions tour

References

  1. "Dream team of century is named". Taranaki Daily News . 14 October 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  2. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.118
  3. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1993, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1993. p.174
  4. New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p.144
  5. Dream team of century is named Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 2008
  6. Taranaki vs tourists 1912-1990