2003 New Zealand rugby league season

April 2023 2003 New Zealand rugby league season 2002 2004 The 2003 New Zealand rugby league season was the 96th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the fourth season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Canterbury Bulls won the Cup by defeating the Marist Richmond Brothers 32–28 in the Grand Final. International competitions List of New Zealand Kiwis matches The New Zealand national rugby league team played Australia home and away, losing in Australia before defeating them 30–16 at North Harbour Stadium. Coached by Daniel Anderson, New Zealand included; David Vaealiki, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Willie Talau, Stacey Jones, Paul Rauhihi, Richard Swain, captain Ruben Wiki, Stephen Kearney, Logan Swann, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham, Jerry Seuseu, Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Vinnie Anderson, Sione Faumuina, Motu Tony, Nathan and Jason Cayless, Thomas Leuluai, Ali Lauiti'iti and Henry Fa'afili. A New Zealand 'A' side toured Great Britain. The team played in five matches with their best result being a draw. They drew with Cumbria 24-all and lost to National League Two 27–8, Warrington 28–26, National League One 40-28 and the full Great Britain side 52–18. The team was coached by Gerard Stokes and included Shane Beyers, Paul Fisiiahi, Steve Buckingham, Aoterangi Herangi, Tyrone Pau, George Tuakura, Lusi Sione, Jesse Royal, Tame Tupou, Wayne McDade, Epalahame Lauaki and Ben Lythe.Hadfield Dave Hilton could miss Warrington finale https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/hilton-could-miss-warrington-finale-87101.html 25 July 2026 The Independent 16 September 2003Durbin has the last try honour https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5234334.durbin-has-the-last-try-honour/ 25 July 2026 Warrington Guardian 30 October 2003 en The New Zealand Māori team toured France. The team included Phillip Shead whose brother, Artie, played against him for France. Former New Zealander Vincent Wulf also played for France.John Coffey, Bernie Wood 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008 Huia Publishers 2008 326 https://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC 978-1-86969-331-2 Coached by Bernie Perenara, the Māori side also included Herewini Rangi, Jeremy Smith and Aaron Heremaia, who captained the side. Ruben Wiki was named the New Zealand Rugby League player of the year.Wiki named NZ player of the year AAP 21 November 2003 Thomas Leuluai was the Rookie of the Year. National competitions Rugby League Cup January 2011 Bartercard Cup The 2003 Bartercard Cup was the fourth season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. There were no major team changes however the North Harbour Tigers replaced the Northcote Tigers as they now represented all of the North Shore clubs. The Canterbury Bulls finished as minor premiers and were the only non-Auckland team to make the finals. The Teams Hibiscus Coast were coached by Tony Benson and included Odell Manuel, Tyrone Pau and Aaron Heremaia. The North Harbour side included Mark Robinson.Marsh shakes off injury, tipped to play Waikato Times 29 April 2003 Glenora included Epalahame Lauaki. Marist Richmond were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Ricky Henry, Karl Guttenbeil, Tangi Ropati, Evarn Tuimavave, Tevita Latu, Jerome Ropati, Marcus Perenara, Steve Matai and Motu Tony.Bulls one win from glory The Press 11 September 2003http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=18242 Bartercard Cup Grand Final Preivew (Season Stats https://web.archive.org/web/20121026145450/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=18242 26 October 2012 rleague.com 11 September 2003 Mt Albert included Steve Buckingham, Wayne McDade and Meti Noovao.Must-win game again for Bulls The Press 14 June 2003Marist Richmond Brothers thrown to Lions in playoff cauldron Sunday Star-Times 24 August 2003 John Ackland finished the season as coach after originally leaving the club to coach the Villeneuve Leopards.Ackland back in the fold after French farce Sunday Star-Times 29 February 2004 Otahuhu included Boycie Nelson and George Tuakura. The Eastern Tornadoes included Paul Fisi'iahi, Herewini Rangi, Zebastian Lucky Luisi and Tame Tupou.Coffey John Wood Bernie Auckland:100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009 2009 978-1-86969-366-4 339–341 Manurewa were coached by Kelly Shelford.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=3502631 Rugby League New Zealand Herald 18 May 2003 Taranaki were coached by Alan Jackson.Wildcats upbeat about losing tag of easybeats Taranaki Daily News 26 July 2003 Central were coached by Peter Sixtus and included Jesse Royal and Sonny Whakarau.Falcons gain Bartercard Cup extension The Evening Standard 27 November 2003Sixtus confident despite injuries The Evening Standard 2 May 2003 Wellington were coached by Gerard Stokes and included John Tamanika.Bergman off to capital as cup coach The Nelson Mail 22 October 2003http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=15821 Team Wellington Launched https://web.archive.org/web/20121026145442/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=15821 26 October 2012 rleague.com 12 April 2003 Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott and included Kane Ferris, Richard Villasanti, Charlie Herekotukutuku, Lusi Sione, Vince Whare, Shane Beyers and Corey Lawrie.Character counters size The Press 16 September 2005Teenagers charge into Bulls for Marist-Richmond clash The Press 24 May 2003Bulls recall three to tackle Tigers The Press 7 August 2003Villasanti facing bigger workload The Press 25 April 2003 Season standings TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsCanterbury Bulls16130364837027826Mt Albert Lions16130353032820226Marist Richmond Brothers16121362740622125Hibiscus Coast Raiders16120457331925424Eastern Tornadoes16111467538129423North Harbour Tigers166284964039314Manurewa Marlins16619480544-6413Glenora Bears165110458514-5611Otahuhu Leopards165110432594-16211Central Falcons164012374578-2048Wellington Franchise164111460646-1866*Taranaki Wildcats161015262932-6702 *Wellington were docked three points for registration infringements. The Playoffs Mt Albert Lions 30 Marist Richmond 33 Hibiscus Coast 8 Eastern Tornadoes 10 Canterbury Bulls 40 Marist Richmond 18 Mt Albert Lions 42 Eastern Tornadoes 20 Marist Richmond 36 Mt Albert Lions 26 Canterbury Bulls 32 Marist Richmond 28 MatchWinnerLoser Elimination Play-off Eastern Tornadoes 10 Hibiscus Coast Raiders 8 Preliminary Semifinal Marist Richmond Brothers 32 Mt Albert Lions 30 Elimination Semifinal Mt Albert Lions 42 Eastern Tornadoes 20 Qualification Semifinal Canterbury Bulls 40 Marist Richmond Brothers 18 Preliminary Final Marist Richmond Brothers 36 Mt Albert Lions 26 Grand Final The Grand Final was held at Ericsson Stadium with the Fox Memorial Grand Final as a curtain raiser. Team Half Time Total Canterbury Bulls 6 32 Marist Richmond Brothers 12 28 Awards Player of the Year: Shane BeyersBulls Scoop Awards The Press 22 November 2003 Coach of the Year: Phil Prescott Personality of the Year: Gary Endacott North Island Championship Provincial Competition Four teams competed in the North Island Championship Provincial Competition; Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the Coastline Mariners.http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=17287 Coastline Mariners sink Northland https://web.archive.org/web/20121026020625/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=17287 26 October 2012 rleague.com 8 July 2003 Australian competitions 2003 New Zealand Warriors season The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 6th out of 15 teams and won two games before losing the Preliminary Final to eventual premiers the Penrith Panthers. Club competitions Auckland Auckland Rugby League club trophies The Mangere East Hawks won both the Fox Memorial trophy and the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). They defeated the Hibiscus Coast Raiders 30–29 in the Grand Final. The Raiders had earlier won the preseason Roope Rooster trophy. The Northcote Tigers won the Sharman Cup (Division Two) while East Coast Bays won the Phelan Shield (Division Three). Wellington Petone and the Wainuiomata Lions contested the Wellington Rugby League Grand Final.http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=18271 Wellington Grand Final Programme 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20121026145307/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=18271 26 October 2012 rleague.com 12 September 2003 It was played at Maidstone Park on 13 September. Marvin Karawana played in the final for the Lions. Canterbury Halswell won the Canterbury Rugby League title. Riccarton hosted Runanga in the annual Thacker Shield challenge.Riccarton defends shield The Press 31 May 2003 Other Competitions Turangawaewae defeated Taniwharau in the Waicoa Bay championship. The Marist Dragons and Waitara Bears met in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=17333 Taranaki Grand Final Countdown https://web.archive.org/web/20110715191357/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=17333 15 July 2011 rleague.com 11 July 2003 References 2002 Bartercard Cup 2004 Bartercard Cup Bartercard Cup 2003