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Auckland Rugby League

The Auckland Rugby League^[3] (ARL) is the governing body for the sportofrugby league in the Auckland RegionofNew Zealand. Founded in 1909, the ARL has played a central role in the development and promotion of rugby league in Auckland, contributing to the sport's rich history in the region.

Unofficial representative matches were played as early as 1908 leading to the formation of the official organisational body at the Chamber of Commerce on Swanson Street on July 19 in 1909. Dissatisfaction among players with the Auckland Rugby Union led to the formation of rugby league clubs, with the first club, North Shore Albions were the first club to form on July 23 and then Ponsonby United, City Rovers, and Newton Rangers were formed over the following days and weeks.

The first organised club match was played on July 25 between North Shore Albions and City Rovers at Eagleton's Paddock in Epsom with North Shore winning 44-24.^[4] The first full club season was held in 1910 and featured 4 teams, Newton Rangers, City Rovers, Ponsonby United, and North Shore Albions.

Over the years, Auckland rugby league has participated in various national competitions, including the Lion Red Cup, which began in 1994. The Auckland region's representation in this competition evolved over the years, with notable successes including North Harbour winning in 1994 and 1995, and Counties-Manukau emerging as champions in 1996.

In addition to club competitions, the Auckland Rugby League representative team has a rich history, including victories against international sides such as Australia, England, and France. Notable achievements include defeating these teams within 21 days in 1977 and securing victory against the touring Australian side in 1989.

The Auckland Rugby League was once recognised by England's Northern Rugby Football Union as New Zealand's governing body for the game of rugby league.^[5]

In 2009, the ARL celebrated its centenary.^[1]

Auckland's premier competition is the Fox Memorial Shield. This has been contested since 1910.

City Rovers and Newton Rangers merged in the early 1900s. City Newton Dragons later merged with Point Chevalier to become 'City-Pt Chevalier'. Later the two clubs separated, and then in 2004 City Newton folded, while Point Chevalier remained. Ponsonby United and Maritime merged to become Ponsonby-Maritime, they parted ways in 1983 and Ponsonby are still in existence. Navy merged with North Shore to become 'Navy/North Shore' however North Shore ceased to exist in 2009.

Other teams to cease as their own entities include:

The Fox Memorial is awarded to the grand final winner in the Premiership. In 2022 the 19 competing teams are split into 2 sections. After playing each other the top 6 in each section moved into the Fox Premiership play offs.

For a list of the major trophies awarded in Auckland club rugby league go to Auckland Club Rugby League Trophies (this includes player awards as well as team awards).

Past decade winners:

The Roope Rooster is currently held by the Point Chevalier Pirates who went through the 2022 season undefeated in all home challenges.

When the Lion Red Cup was started in 1994 Auckland was originally represented by four teams. The Auckland City Vulcans, The Waitakere City Raiders, The Counties Manukau Heroes and the North Harbour Sea Eagles. In 1995 the Vulcans were replaced by the Auckland Warriors Colts. In 1996 Auckland City did not compete.

• North Harbour won the competition in 1994 & 1995.
• Counties-Manukau won the competition in 1996 and was runner up in 1994.
• Auckland was runner up in 1995 & Waitakere was runner up in 1996.

Previously Auckland had a large representation in the Bartercard Cup, in its final seasons before it ceased to run Auckland was represented by the Auckland Lions, Waitakere Rangers, Harbour League, Counties Manukau Jetz and the Tamaki Titans.

• The Mt Albert Lions won in 2002, 2004 & 2005.
• The Hibiscus Coast Raiders won in 2001.
• The Auckland Lions won in 2006 & 2007.

With the folding of the Bartercard Cup, Auckland rugby league team was awarded a place in the new six-team Bartercard Premiership, beginning in 2008. In 2009 the competition was mirrored by Under 18 and Under 16 grade competitions. The competition was replaced by the seven-team National Zonal Competition in 2010. Effectively Auckland club rugby league reverted to its regular form, with the zonal competition representing regional representative teams as in the past.

Auckland has played against several touring teams over the years though once the Auckland Warriors started playing in 1995 it diluted the standard of the side and they have not played against full international sides in recent years.

Auckland famously beat Australia, England and France in the space of 21 days in 1977. A feat which the New Zealand Warriors commemorated by wearing replica strips in their Round 24 clash with the Manly Sea Eagles on 26 August 2007, when the Warriors won 36–14 in front of a packed Mount Smart Stadium.

Auckland also beat the touring Australian side in 1989 by 26 points to 24 at Carlaw Park.

Auckland represented New Zealand for most years in the Australian midweek competition (see Amco Cup) in the 1970s and 1980s. Central Districts, Canterbury, Wellington, and South Island also fielded teams [1].

Auckland representative sides traditionally wear a blue jersey with a white double 'V', in the same style of the New Zealand national rugby league team jersey but with blue instead of black, this is still the jersey worn by the Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup team (see below).

Auckland Rugby League originally owned the Auckland Warriors (now known as New Zealand Warriors) when they were entered into the 1995 Winfield Cup, run by the Australian Rugby League. The club is based at Ericsson Stadium. By 1998 the club had yet to experience any success and so was sold to a consortium including the Tainui tribe.

• Jason Taumalolo - North Queensland Cowboys
• Shaun Johnson - NZ Warriors
• Sosaia Feki - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
• Ben Te'o - South Sydney Rabbitohs
• Raymond Faitala-Mariner - Canterbury Bulldogs
• Bunty Afoa - New Zealand Warriors
• Isaac Liu - Gold Coast Titans
• Kieran Foran - Manly Sea Eagles
• Sio Siua Taukeiaho - Sydney Roosters
• Jesse Bromwich - Melbourne Storm
• Kenny Bromwich - Melbourne Storm

• Rugby league in New Zealand
• List of NRL club owners

• Official site