1996 New Zealand rugby league season

April 2023 1996 New Zealand rugby league season 1995 1997 The 1996 New Zealand rugby league season was the 89th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the final season of the Lion Red Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Counties Manukau Heroes won the Cup by defeating the Waitakere City Raiders 34–22 in the Grand Final. With the outbreak of the Super League war the New Zealand Rugby League sided with the Super League organisation. International competitions 1996 Great Britain Lions tour The New Zealand national rugby league team hosted both Papua New Guinea and Great Britain in 1996, winning all five matches. New Zealand were coached by Frank Endacott and included; Richie Barnett, Richard Blackmore, Marc Ellis, Syd Eru, Sean Hoppe, Mark Horo, Tony Iro, Stacey Jones, Stephen Kearney, Gene Ngamu, Quentin Pongia, captain Matthew Ridge, Tyran Smith, Logan and Anthony Swann, John Timu, Joe Vagana, Ruben Wiki and Grant Young. Marc Ellis became the countries 36th dual-code rugby international.Lion Red Rugby League Annual '96, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1996. p. 51 PNG toured first and were defeated 62–8 in Rotorua and 64–0 in Manawatu. They also lost tour matches to the Lion Red Cup XIII, 22–24, and New Zealand Māori side, 14–40. Great Britain then arrived for a three match series. They were defeated 17–12 at Ericsson Stadium, 18–15 in Manawatu and 32–12 at Lancaster Park in Christchurch.New Zealand rugbyleagueproject.org Great Britain drew with the Lion Red Cup XIII but lost to the New Zealand XIII and the New Zealand Māori sides. The Lion Red Cup XIII also played both sides and embarrassed the Great Britain Lions when they held them to a 22-all draw at Carlaw Park.Part-time Kiwis embarrass substandard Lions The Independent 11 October 1996 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4828703.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121104140507/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4828703.html November 4, 2012 HighBeam Research subscription London, England usurped The team was coached by Graeme Norton and included Boycie Nelson, Tama Hohaia, Marlon Gardiner, Richard Stewart, David Bailey, captain Tukere Barlow, Ben Lythe, Don Stewart, Leamy Tato, Anthony Edwards, Gareth Adams, Jonathan Hughes, Corrie Jamieson, Cheaf Lee Fakavamoeanga, Vilai Kelemete, Vai Afoa and Gus Malietoa-Brown.Potent centres will test PNG Sunday Star-Times 29 September 1996 Another New Zealand combination containing Warriors reserves players then managed to defeat Great Britain 30–22 at Fraser Park. The team was: David Murray, Iva Ropati, Anthony Swann, Whetu Taewa, Richard Stewart; Shane Endacott, Aaron Whittaker, Brady Malam, Denvour Johnston, Hitro Okesene, Tony Tatupu, Bryan Henare, Logan Swann. Subs: Meti Noovao, Mark Faumuina, Jerry Seuseu, Darryn Avery.1996 Tour Match: New Zealand Select XIII 30 Great Britain 22 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171907/http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=1164 14 July 2014 Cherry and White Tukere Barlow captained the Lion Red Cup XIII against Papua New Guinea. The New Zealand Māori rugby league team was involved in the 1996 Pacific Challenge, a replacement for the postponed Oceania Cup. New Zealand Māori won both their matches, defeating Tonga 28-18 and Western Samoa 39–16. The Māori side included Frank Watene, Paul Rauhihi and Matthew Sturm. Doc Murray, Whetu Taewa, Gavin Hill, Sonny Whakarau, and Tawera Nikau were all added to the squad for the match against Papua New Guinea, which the Māori won 40–14.John Coffey, Bernie Wood 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008 Huia Publishers 2008 292 https://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC 9781869693312 The Māori team then finished an undefeated season by upsetting Great Britain 40–28.GB have Long to thank BBC Sport, 5 November 1999 The New Zealand Māori side was: Doc Murray; John Farrar, Ricky Henry, Whetu Taewa, Jason Walker; Jamie Stevens, Paul Howell; Paul Rauhihi, Tukere Barlow, Gavin Hill, David Pearce, Matthew Sturm, Tawera Nikau (capt). Substitutes: Neville Ramsay, Marlon Gardiner, George Milner, Sonny Whakarau.Morley given immediate chance to atone The Independent, 21 October 1996 Coach: Cameron Bell. Graeme Norton coached the New Zealand Nines team that competed in the Super League Nines tournament in Fiji. The side won the title, New Zealand's first world trophy.Lion Red Rugby League Annual '96, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1996. p. 48 The squad consisted of captain Sean Hoppe, John Kirwan, Stephen Kearney, Nigel Vagana, Gene Ngamu, Tony Tatupu, Gavin Hill, Mark Carter, Stacey Jones, Tony Iro, Richie Barnett, Henry Paul, Ruben Wiki and Latham Tawhai.Manly key to Ridge in the Super League nines Sunday Star-Times 21 January 1996 The New Zealand University side competed in the Student World Cup and finished third behind Samoa and Australia.International Competition 1996 The Vault The Junior Kiwis played five matches as curtain raisers to the five test matches. They won all five matches. Coached by Lex Clarke and managed by Ross Taylor, the Junior Kiwis included Joe Galuvao, Lesley Vainikolo, David Kidwell, Hare Te Rangi, Robert Henare, Frank Watene, Matthew Rua, Monty Betham, Kylie Leuluai and Phillip Leuluai. A New Zealand under-18 team coached by Trevor McLeod bet Fiji under 18s in a two match series. The squad included Joe Galuvao, Lesley Vainikolo, captain David Solomona, Odell Manuel and Kyle Leuluai. A New Zealand under-16 team played a three match series in Australia, winning all three. The team was coached by Jeff Whittaker and included David Vaealiki, Mark Leafa, Wairangi Koopu and David Fa'alogo. Matthew Ridge won the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year award.Ridge wins player of the year award Sunday Star-Times 1 December 1996 National competitions Inter Zone Challenge A North Zone, representing the Waitakere City, Counties Makukau, North Harbour, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty franchises played a three match series against South Zone, representing the Taranaki Rockets, Manawatu Mustangs, Hawkes Bay Unicorns, Hutt Valley Dolphins, Wellington City Dukes, Christchurch City Shiners and the Canterbury Country Cardinals.New Zealand Competitions 1996 The Vault North Zone won the three matches 22–16, 21-14 and 38–16.New Zealand Inter Zone Challenge 1996 The Vault North Zone were coached by Brian McClennan and included Willie McLean, Brian Jellick, Boycie Nelson, Ben Lythe, captain Clayton Friend, Jerry Seuseu, Stuart Lester, Matthew Sturm and Frank Watene.Lion Red Rugby League Annual '96, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1996. South Zone were coached by Andy Moore and included Earl Va'a, Blair Harding, Denvour Johnston and Yogi Rogers. Rugby League Cup Auckland defeated the West Coast 48–10 in a Rugby League Cup challenge to retain the cup. Auckland included Esau Mann, Stuart Lester and Matthew Sturm. Auckland defeated Canterbury 24–20 at Carlaw Park to retain the Rugby League Cup.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. 978-1-86969-366-4. Auckland were coached by Dominic Clark and included Ben Lythe, Boycie Nelson, Duane Mann, Donald Stewart, Matthew Sturm, Willie McLean and Frank Watene. Canterbury included Blair Harding, Mark Nixon and Paul Koloi. Lion Red Cup Due to the postponement of Super League in Australia several top Australian referees were available to referee matches in the Lion Red Cup. These included Steve Clark.Championship matches enjoy top referees Waikato Times 15 May 1996 Teams The North Harbour Sea Eagles had a new coach in Dominic Clark.Rockets shoot down North Harbour Sunday Star-Times 10 March 1996 The squad included Paki Tuimavave, Paul Rauhihi, Mike Setefano, Artie Shead, Don Stewart and Latham Tawhai.Waitakere still in own league Sunday Star-Times 17 March 1996 The Waitakere City Raiders finished the year as minor premiers and went on to make the final but could not over come Counties Manukau. The side was coached by Del Hughes and included Boycie Nelson, Willie McLean, Ben Lythe, Brian Jellick, Julian O'Neill and David Bailey. The champion Counties Manukau Heroes side was coached by Cameron Bell and included Clayton Friend, Esau Mann, Matthew Sturm, Charlie Kennedy, Stuart Lester, Meti Noovao, Francis Leota, Duane Mann, Frank Watene, Dean Clark, Gus Malietoa-Brown and Jerry Seuseu.Four-try burst helps Counties move up ladder Sunday Star-Times 21 July 1996 The Waikato Cougars played their last game at Trust Bank Park in July.Last game at Park Waikato Times 22 June 1996 The team was coached by Joe Gwynne and included Darryl Fisher, Tama Hohaia and captain Tukere Barlow. Mark Woods played the first two rounds for Waikato before transferring to Bay of Plenty. The Bay of Plenty Stags were the big improvers of the competition, making the finals after coming last in the previous two years. They were coached by Lawrence Brydon who took over near the end of the 1995 season.Transformed Stags come to the party Sunday Star-Times 26 May 1996 During the season its business manager, former Kiwi coach Tony Gordon, was suspended and investigated by the New Zealand Rugby League.Gordon confident inquiry into Stags' finances will clear him Sunday Star-Times 8 September 1996 He was later cleared of all charges.Gordon cleared after fraud investigation Sunday Star-Times 1 December 1996 The team was captained by Mark Woods and included Patrick Kuru.Cougars show teeth after tame start Waikato Times 26 August 1996 The Taranaki Rockets were coached by former Kiwi Howie Tamati. The squad included Denvour Johnston and Willie Talau.Rockets trio off to try their luck in France Daily News 20 August 1996 The Manawatu Mustangs replaced the Auckland Warriors Colts. They were coached by Peter Sixtus. the Hawkes Bay Unicorns were coached by Mark Elia who also played in one match. The Hutt Valley Dolphins abandoned the Hawks name altogether in 1996. The team were coached by Ken Laban included Earl Va'a, who moved over from Wellington, Zane Clark, Arnold Lomax and Yogi Rogers.Dolphins sink Harbour Sunday Star-Times 11 August 1996 The Wellington City Dukes were coached by Mike Edmonds. The Christchurch City Shiners were coached by Geoff Carr. Carr was sacked mid season and replaced with Mark Vincent. The Canterbury Country Cardinals were coached by Gerard Stokes and included Paul Koloi, Blair Harding, Lusi Sione, Mark Nixon and Paul Johnson. Standings TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsWaitakere City22190369734235538Counties Manukau22180476639936736North Harbour22150762439323130Waikato2213185154724327Bay of Plenty221138440441-125Hutt Valley221129444469-2524Taranaki22110115164383322Wellington City229013536532418Hawkes Bay227114377583-20615Canterbury226115365555-19013Manawatu225017404732-32810Christchurch City223019360643-2836 The playoffs Two time defending champions the North Harbour Sea Eagles were eliminated in the second round when they lost 14–20 to Waikato, despite the Cougars having twelve men for most of the second half.Cougars gain most important victory Sunday Star-Times 1 September 1996 Counties Manukau 14 North Harbour 10 Waikato 35 Bay of Plenty 18 Waitakere City 26 Counties Manukau 8 North Harbour 14 Waikato 20 Counties Manukau 22 Waikato 6 Waitakere City 22 Counties Manukau 34 MatchWinnerLoserVenue Elimination Play-off Waikato Cougars 35 Bay of Plenty Stags 18Rotorua International Stadium Preliminary Semifinal Counties Manukau Heroes 14 North Harbour Sea Eagles 10Carlaw Park Elimination Semifinal Waikato Cougars 20 North Harbour Sea Eagles 14Davies Park Qualification Semifinal Waitakere City Raiders 26 Counties Manukau Heroes 8Carlaw Park Preliminary Final Counties Manukau Heroes 22 Waikato Cougars 6Carlaw Park Grand Final Waitakere CityPositionCounties Manukau Willie McLean FB Te Manawa Loza Brian Jellick WG Charlie Kennedy Boycie Nelson CE Cheaf Lee Fakavamoenga David Bailey CE Richard O'Connell Robert Ofanoa WG Gus Malietoa-Brown Dean Broomfield (C) FE Duane Mann (C) Ben Lythe HB Duane Mackwood Carl Findlay PR Malu Autagavia Junior Fiu HK Esau Mann Greg Ashby PR Frank Watene Gareth Adams SR Jerry Seuseu Anthony Edwards SR Steve Ekepati Jonathan Hughes LK Matthew Sturm Alan Li'o Bench Neville RamsayGeorge Milner Bench Francis Leota Graham Fafuiti Bench Mark Lethbridge Wayne Kohlhase Bench Ray Barchard Del Hughes Coach Cameron Bell The Grand Final was played in front of a disappointing crowd of just under 2,000 fans at Carlaw Park.Lion Red Rugby League Annual '96, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1996. p. 65 Jim Stokes refereed the match which Waitakere City led 16–8 at halftime. However Counties Manukau came back to win 34-22 and claim their first Lion Red Cup. Team HalftimeTotal Counties Manukau Heroes 634 Waitakere City Raiders 1822 Tries (Counties Manukau) 2: G Malietoa-Brown 1: D. Mann, E. Mann, N. Ramsay, F. Watene, C. Kennedy Tries (Waitakere City) 3. B. Nelson 1: D. Bailey Goals (Counties Manukau) 3: T. Loza Goals (Waitakere City) 3: B. Lythe Venue Carlaw Park Awards Player of the Year: Jerry Seuseu (Counties Manukau) Coach of the Year: Cameron Bell (Counties Manukau) Rookie of the Year: Darryl Fisher (Waikato) Captain of the Year: Mark Woods (Bay of Plenty) Best and Fairest: Paul Howell (Wellington City) Most Tries: Cheaf Lee Fakavamoenga (21 – Counties Manukau) Most Goals: Ben Lythe (109 – Waitakere City) Most Points: Ben Lythe (240 – Waitakere City) Referee of the Year: Jim Stokes (Canterbury) Inter-Club Knockout Series Cobden-Kohinoor defeated the Kaikohe Lions 40–22 in the Inter-club knockout series. The series was for provinces which did not have a team in the Lion Red Cup. Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Grand Final Cobden-Kohinoor (W.Coast) 44 Whakatu (Nelson-M) 16 Waro-rakau (W.Coast) 82 Tahunanui (Nelson-M) 0 Pacific Raiders (Otago) 34 Whakatipu (Sthland) 6 He Tauaa (Sthland) St Kilda (Otago) Default Kaikohe Lions (Nthland) 40 Mt Maunganui (Coastline) 30 Te Paamu (Coastline) 28 Whangatautia (Nthland) 26 Turanga (Gisborne-EC) 38 Takahiwai (Nthland) 36 Hokianga Pioneers (Nthland) 54 Paikea (Gisborne-EC) 24 Cobden-Kohinoor 11 Waro-rakau 10 Pacific Raiders 18 He Tauaa 36 Kaikohe Lions 26 Te Paamu 24 Turanga 48 Hokianga Pioneers 36 Cobden-Kohinoor 33 He Tauaa 12 Kaikohe Lions 60 Turanga 22 Cobden-Kohinoor 40 Kaikohe Lions 22 Australian competitions 1996 Auckland Warriors season The Auckland Warriors competed in the Australian Rugby League competition finishing 11th out of 20 teams. The Reserve Grade team made the grand final, losing to the Cronulla Sharks reserve team 14–12. Club competitions Auckland Auckland Rugby League club trophies The Otara Scorpions won the Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial for the first time. They defeated Otahuhu 36-28 after the match went into triple extra time.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. 978-1-86969-366-4, p. 315. Otahuhu were the minor premiers and also won the Stormont Shield. The Manurewa Marlins won the pre-season Roope Rooster tournament. The Glenora Bears won the second division Sharman Cup. Peter Feau (Otahuhu) won the Lipscombe Cup as Sportsman of the Year, Matthew Sturm won the Rothville Trophy as Player of the Year, Milton Ross (Ellerslie) won the Burt Humphries Trophy as the Most Improved Forward while Lionel Periera (Manurewa) was the Most Improved Back. Ronald Kite (Otara) won the John Hyland Memorial Cup as coach of the year. Otahuhu included Francis Leota, Phillip Leuluai and Odell Manuel. Wellington The Randwick Kingfishers won the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield, defeating Paremata 38–8 in the Grand Final.New Zealand Competitions The Vault Zane Clarke played for Randwick. Canterbury Hornby won the Canterbury Rugby League's Pat Smith Trophy, defeating Halswell 22–16 in the Grand Final. The Thacker Shield was not contested due to Waro-rakau having other commitments. Halswell's Darryn Avery won the Outstanding Player of the Year award. Tony Sweetman (Linwood) won sportsman of the year. Shane Beyers (Halswell) and Don Aitken (Hornby) shared the Junior Sportsman of the Year award. Wayne Wallace coached Hornby who included Mark Nixon. Other Competitions The Bay of Islands defeated Whangarei 28–24 in an inter-district match. The Kaikohe Lions beat the Hokianga Pioneers 22-21 after extra time in the Bay of Islands competition while the Whangatauatia Mountain Men beat the Pawarenga Broncos 24–12 in the Far North competition and the Takahiwai Warriors beat the Otaika Eagles 12–4 at Jubilee Park in the Whangarei premiership. Turangawaewae won the Waikato Rugby League grand final.Muru, Patterson play crucial roles in grand final triumph Waikato Times 23 September 1996 Taniwharau were the minor premiers in all four grades.Taniwharau top all tables Waikato Times 17 August 1996 The Waitara Bears defeated Western Suburbs 29–16 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.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 The Putaruru United beat Pikiao 35–8 in the Rotorua Midlands final while Kaiti beat Turanga 36–12 in the Gisbourne-East Coast Premiership. The Turanga Panthers won the Gisborne-East Coast title. Taradale defeated Tamatea 32–0 in the Hawke's Bay Rugby League championship. Otaki Whiti Te Ra defeated Kia Ora 27–20 in the Manawatu Rugby League Final. Waru-rakau retained the West Coast Rugby League title, defeating Marist in the Grand Final. Marist included Wayne Dwyer. Otago did not play a representative fixture during the season for the first time in over 80 years. The Otago competition featured four teams. The Gore Cup, a fixture between the champion Otago and Canterbury clubs, was contested for the first time since 1929. Eastern Suburbs defeated South Pacific 44–32. He Tauaa won the Southland Rugby League Grand Final, defeating the Wakitipu Cougars 22–18. The Cougars had played in the Otago competition in 1995. References Category:New Zealand rugby league seasons