Waikato Rugby League

Last updated July 20, 2025

Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team. They are currently part of the Upper Central Zone along with Coastline Rugby League and Bay of Plenty Rugby League.

History

The league was constituted as the South Auckland Rugby League on 28 April 1921.^[1]

Current Teams

Premier Division clubs 2024

Taniwharau Rugby League (Huntly) - Davies Park
Turangawaewae (Ngaruawahia) - Paterson Park
Ngaruawahia Panthers (Ngaruawahia) - League Park
Hamilton City Tigers (Hamilton) - Resthills Park
Hukanui / College Old Boys / Ravens (Hamilton)

Championship Clubs for 2024

Taniwharau Rugby League (Huntly) - Davies Park
Coast Steelers (Taharoa) - Taharoa Domain
Ngaruawahia Panthers (Ngaruawahia) - League Park
Hamilton City Tigers (Hamilton) - Resthills Park
Hauraki Tigers (Paeroa)
Hamilton Hornets (Hamilton) - Resthills Park
Turangawaewae (Ngaruawahia) - Paterson Park
College Old Boys (Hamilton) - Resthills Park
Whatawhata Wolves (Whatawhata)
Te Awamutu Firehawks (Te Awamutu) - Albert Park
Whaingaroa Whai (Raglan)

Womens Premiership Clubs for 2024

Te Awamutu Firehawks (Te Awamutu) - Albert Park
Coast Steelers (Taharoa) - Taharoa Domain
Turangawaewae (Ngaruawahia) - Paterson Park
Hamilton City Tigers (Hamilton) - Resthills Park

Womens Championship Clubs for 2024

Ngaruawahia Panthers (Ngaruawahia) - League Park
Taniwharau Rugby League (Huntly) - Davies Park
Whatawhata Wolves (Whatawhata)
Whaingaroa Whai (Raglan)

Dormant clubs

Huntly South Chargers (Huntly) - Davies Park
Fairfield Falcons (Hamilton) - Swarbrick Park
Morrinsville Bulls (Morrinsville)
Rangiriri Eels (Maurea)
Otorohanga Tigers (Otorohanga) - Island Reserve
Kio Kio Hunters (Maihihi) - Kio Kio United Sports Ground
Frankton Albions (Hamilton) - Swarbrick Park
Ngaruawahia Lions (Ngaruawahia) - Patterson Park
Jaradites Rugby League (Hamilton)
Huntly United (Huntly) - Davies Park
Cambridge Raiders (Cambridge)
Waipa Wildcats (Kihikihi)
Thames Wanderers (Thames/Coromandel)
Ohinemuri Warriors
Whaingaroa Divers (Raglan)
Glen Afton (Glen Afton)
Chartwell Lions

Past winners Premier grades

Waikato club championship winners since 1986:

1986-Huntly South def Taniwharau (Davies Park, Huntly)
1987-Frankton Albions def Huntly South (Davies Park, Huntly)
1988-Ngaruawahia Panthers def Hamilton City Tigers (Davies Park, Huntly)
1989-Turangawaewae def Ngaruawahia Panthers (Davies Park, Huntly)
1990-Turangawaewae def Ngaruawahia Panthers (Davies Park, Huntly)
1991-Hamilton City Tigers def Ngaruawahia Panthers (Resthills Park, Hamilton)
1992-Turangawaewae def Ngaruawahia Panthers (Davies Park, Huntly)
1993-Hamilton City Tigers 50-10 Ngaruawahia Panthers (Davies Park, Huntly)^[2]
1994-Turangawaewae 30-23 Hamilton City Tigers (Davies Park, Huntly)^[3]
1995-Turangawaewae 20-15 Taniwharau (Resthills Park, Hamilton)^[4]
1996-Turangawaewae 26-18 Taniwharau (Resthills Park, Hamilton)^[5]
1997-Taniwharau def Turangawaewae (Davies Park, Huntly)^[6]
1998-Turangawaewae 35-18 Hamilton City Tigers (Resthills Park, Hamilton)^[7]
1999-Turangawaewae 32-22 Hukanui(Davies Park, Huntly)^[8]
2000-Turangawaewae def Hamilton City Tigers (Davies Park, Huntly)^[9]^[10]
2001-Hukanui def Turangawaewae (Davies Park, Huntly)

Between 2002 - 2007 Waikato aligned itself with Coastlines and the Bay of Plenty to create the Waicoa Bay Championship:

2002-Taniwharau def Turangawaewae (Davies Park, Huntly)^[11]
2003-Turangawaewae def Taniwharau (Davies Park, Huntly)
2004-[Ngongotaha def Ngaruawahia Panthers (Puketewhero Park, Rotorua)^[12]
2005-Turangawaewae def Hamilton City Tigers (Davies Park, Huntly)^[11]
2006-Turangawaewae def Taniwharau (Davies Park, Huntly)
2007-Taniwharau 24-18 Turangawaewae (Davies Park, Huntly)^[13]
2008-Taniwharau 40-4 Otumoetai Eels (Davies Park, Huntly)^[14]

The Waikato club championship resumed in 2009

2009-Taniwharau 16 - 2 Ngaruawahia Panthers (Davies Park, Huntly)^[15]
2010-Hamilton City Tigers 19-12 Taniwharau (Resthills Park, Hamilton)^[16]
2011- Ngaruawahia Panthers 24-4 Hamilton City Tigers (Davies Park, Huntly)
2012- Hamilton City Tigers 34-4 Taniwharau (Davies Park, Huntly)

WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2011:

2011- Hamilton City Tigers 26-6 Taniwharau (Resthills Park, Hamilton)
2012- Hamilton City Tigers 26-12 Ngaruwahia Panthers (Davies Park, Huntly)

Bay of Plenty Clubs break away from the competition, Leaving it as The "WaiCoa Championship"

2013- Taniwharau 18-16 Hamilton City Tigers (Resthills Park, Hamilton)
2014- Taniwharau 20-18 Otumoetai Eels (Davies Park, Huntly)

The Waikato club championship resumed in 2015:

2015- Hamilton City Tigers 33 - 12 Taniwharau (Davies Park, Huntly)

WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2016:

2016- Hamilton City Tigers 24 - 19 Pacific (Resthills Park, Hamilton)

The Waikato club championship resumed in 2017:

2017- Taniwharau 16 - 14 Hamilton City Tigers (Davies Park, Huntly)
2018- Taniwharau 28 - 12 College Old Boys (Davies Park, Huntly)
2019- Taniwharau 28 - 22 College Old Boys (Resthills Park, Hamilton)
2020 -
2021 -
2022 -
2023 -
2024 - Premiers: Taniwharau Rugby League 26 -12 Ngaruawahia Panthers (Resthills Park, Hamilton)
2024 - Championship: Taniwharau Rugby League 18 -12 Hauraki Tigers (Resthills Park, Hamilton)

National competitions

The Waikato rugby league team has competed in New Zealand Rugby League competitions, notably the Lion Red Cup as The Waikato Cougars and Bartercard Premiership. They were represented in the Bartercard Cup by the Waicoa Bay Stallions a team that represented Waikato, Coastlines and Bay of Plenty.

Players of note

Brad Clark - (Huntly South) Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, NZ Maori
Tawera Nikau - (Rangiriri Eels) *Kiwis, NZ Maoris, Castleford, Cronulla Sharks, Melbourne Storm
Wairangi Koopu - (Taniwharau) *Kiwis, NZ Maoris, NZ Warriors, Melbourne Storm
Tukere Barlow - (Hamilton City Tigers) NZ Maoris, Warrington Wolves
Martin Moana - (Huntly South) *Kiwis, NZ Warriors, Halifax
Lance Hohaia - (Taniwharau) *Kiwis, NZ Warriors, Kiwis Rugby League World Champion 2008, Saint Helens
Sam Rapira - (Hukanui) *Kiwis, NZ Warriors, Kiwis Rugby League World Champion 2008
Steve Rapira - (Hukanui) NZ Warriors Juniors 2008, North Queensland Cowboys, NZ Warriors
Kurt Kara - (Turangawaewae) NZ Warriors Juniors 08' 09', Newtown Jets
Herewini Rangi - (Taniwharau) NZ Warriors 2004, Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Australian Bush Footy
Aoterangi Herangi - (Turangawaewae) NZ Warriors 2004, Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Jesse Royal - (Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia Panthers) Penrith Panthers, Newcastle Knights, NZ Warriors
Tainui Raihe - (Taniwharau, Hamilton City Tigers) NZ Maoris, Waikato 1998-2000
Hekewaru Muru - (Turangawaewae) NZ Maoris, Waikato Rugby League
Shaun Kenny-Dowall - (Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia Panthers) *Kiwis, NZ Maoris, Waikato Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, NRL All Stars
Isaac John - (Turangawaewae, Pacific Sharks) NZ Warriors, Penrith Panthers
Sam Perrett - (College Old Boys) Sydney Roosters, Bulldogs, NZ Maoris, NZ Kiwis
Zoram Watene - (College Old Boys) Penrith Panthers u/20s 2007, Winsor Wolves 2009-2012, Auckland Vulcans 2013^[17]
Malakai Watene-Zelezniak - (College Old Boys) Penrith Panthers u/20s 2008, Winsor Wolves 2011, Auckland Vulcans 2013^[18]
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - (College Old Boys) Penrith Panthers u/20s 2013, NSW u18s 2013, Australian Schoolboys 2013^[18]
Louis Anderson - (Taniwharau) NZ Warriors, Kiwis 2004-06, Tonga
Donavan Briggs - (Hamilton City Tigers) Cronulla Sharks u/18s 2015/2016 New Zealand Kiwis u/16s 2014
Harlan Lawrence Rawiri Collins - (Taniwharau) Manly Sea Eagles u/20s 2015
Dylan Rintoul - (College Old Boys) Canterbury Bulldogs u/20s 2013
Te Maire Martin - (Turangawaewae)

West Tigers u/20s 2014/2015 Penrith Panthers 2016

Morgan Harper - (Ngaruawahia Panthers) Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Austin Dias - (Turangawaewae) West Tigers

References

↑ Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.74.
↑ Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1993, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1993. p.p.160-163
↑ Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.p.174-175
↑ Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.190
↑ Muru, Patterson play crucial roles in grand final triumph ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 23 September 1996
↑ Waikato clubs to clash in pre-season tournament ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 11 March 1998
↑ Turangawaewae again wear league premiership crown ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 7 September 1998
↑ Turangawaewae trounce grand final challengers ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 18 October 1999
↑ Tigers taking on league champs ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 11 September 2000
↑ Rugby league action hots up ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 27 April 2001
1 2 Grand final a fitting end for tangi teams ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 25 August 2006
↑ League clubs ready for battle ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 9 April 2005
↑ Taniwharau win championship after enthralling encounter ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 27 August 2007
↑ Tigers stand in way of Taniwharau's four-peat ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 19 July 2010
↑ Panthers too good for Taniwharau ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 29 March 2010
↑ Richens, Matt (26 July 2010). "Finally Tigers bag prize". Waikato Times . Retrieved 30 November 2011.
↑ NSWRL.com, Aucklandvulcans.co.nz
1 2 NSWRL.com

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[akl100-1] Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.74.

[nz93-2] Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1993, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1993. p.p.160-163

[nz94-3] Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.p.174-175

[nz95-4] Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.190

[5] Muru, Patterson play crucial roles in grand final triumph ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 23 September 1996

[6] Waikato clubs to clash in pre-season tournament ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 11 March 1998

[7] Turangawaewae again wear league premiership crown ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 7 September 1998

[8] Turangawaewae trounce grand final challengers ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 18 October 1999

[9] Tigers taking on league champs ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 11 September 2000

[10] Rugby league action hots up ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 27 April 2001

[fitting-11] 1 2 Grand final a fitting end for tangi teams ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 25 August 2006

[12] League clubs ready for battle ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 9 April 2005

[13] Taniwharau win championship after enthralling encounter ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 27 August 2007

[14] Tigers stand in way of Taniwharau's four-peat ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 19 July 2010

[15] Panthers too good for Taniwharau ^{[ dead link ]}Waikato Times, 29 March 2010

[Stuff.co.nz_3957378-16] Richens, Matt (26 July 2010). "Finally Tigers bag prize". Waikato Times . Retrieved 30 November 2011.

[17] NSWRL.com, Aucklandvulcans.co.nz

[NSWRL.com-18] 1 2 NSWRL.com

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v t e Rugby league in New Zealand
Federations	New Zealand Rugby League
Representative teams	Men's ("Kiwis") Women's ("Kiwi Ferns") Junior Māori Residents Wheelchair ("Wheel Kiwis")
Zones	Northern Auckland Counties-Manukau Upper Central Mid-Central Wellington Southern
Districts	Auckland (team) Bay of Plenty (team) Canterbury (team) Coastline (team) Gisborne Tairawhiti (team) Manawatu (team) Northland (team) Otago (team) Southland (team) Hawke's Bay (team) Taranaki (team) Tasman (team) Waikato (team) Wellington (team) West Coast (team)
Australian competition teams	New Zealand Warriors (NRL) New Zealand Warriors Women Auckland Vulcans (defunct) Auckland Lions (defunct)
Competitions	NZRL National Men's Competition NZRL National Women's Tournament Rugby League Cup Bartercard Premiership (defunct) Bartercard Cup (defunct) Lion Red Cup (defunct)
New Zealand domestic seasons	1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027