1951 New Zealand rugby league season
The 1951 New Zealand rugby league season was the 44th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
International competitions[]
New Zealand defeated France 16-15 in a "brutal match" at Carlaw Park. A "sensation" occurred after half time when referee Jim Grittin ordered French forward off the field for throwing mud at him. Martin had objected to a penalty being awarded against the French.[1] Des White kicked the winning penalty goal after the full-time siren had sounded. The New Zealand side for the match was; Des White, Bevin Hough, Tommy Baxter, Maurie Robertson, Jack Forrest, George Menzies, captain Jimmy Haig, Ken English, , Cliff Johnson, Doug Richards-Jolley, Charlie McBride and Travers Hardwick.
The Kiwis then at the end of the season, recording a victory over Wales but losing 0-3 against Great Britain and 0-2 in France. New Zealand also lost a match against the British Empire 26-2 on 23 January 1952 that was designated a Test Match. New Zealand were coached by Thomas McClymont and included; Des White, Cyril Eastlake, Tommy Baxter, captain Maurie Robertson, Bevin Hough, George Menzies, Jimmy Haig, Cliff Johnson, , Bill McLennan, Charlie McBride, Frank Mulcare, Alister Atkinson, , Jack Forrest, Des Barchard, Jimmy Edwards, Doug Richards-Jolley, Lory Blanchard, Andy Berryman and Bill Sorensen.
While in the country, France defeated Canterbury 13-7 in front of 13,000 at the Show Grounds.[2][full citation needed] Two days after the one-off Test match France returned to Carlaw Park to play Auckland. France won 15-10 in front of 30,000 spectators. Auckland included Des White, Jimmy Edwards, Tommy Baxter, Cyril Eastlake, Bevin Hough, , captain Des Barchard, Cliff Johnson, , , Doug Richards-Jolley, and Allan Wiles.[3] France also defeated the West Coast, Wellington, South Auckland and Taranaki.[4]
National competitions[]
Northern Union Cup[]
Auckland again held the Northern Union Cup at the end of the season.
Inter-district competition[]
Canterbury included Alister Atkinson, captain Jimmy Haig, Lory Blanchard, John Bond, Cyril Paskell and .[2]
Club competitions[]
Auckland[]
Richmond and Mt Albert shared the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Trophy and Rukutai Shield.[5] Pt Chevalier won the Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield and Sharman Cup.
Wellington[]
Miramar won the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield.[5]
Canterbury[]
Linwood won the Canterbury Rugby League's Massetti Cup.[5]
The Show Grounds were offered to the Canterbury Rugby League by the council on a five-year lease, starting a long term relationship with the ground that continues to this day.[2]
Other Competitions[]
Greymouth Marist defeated Linwood 24-9 to win the Thacker Shield.[2]
References[]
- ^ New Zealand vs France 1951 rugbyleagueproject.org
- ^ a b c d Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987.
- ^ Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
- ^ Les Chanticleers Tour 1951 rugbyleagueproject.org
- ^ a b c Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 New Zealand Rugby League, 1990. p.72
- New Zealand rugby league seasons
- 1951 in New Zealand rugby league