1981 New Zealand rugby league season

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The 1981 New Zealand rugby league season was the 74th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.

International competitions[]

See also: List of New Zealand Kiwis matches

New Zealand defeated France twice. New Zealand included; Fred Ah Kuoi, Ray Baxendale, Mark Broadhurst, Tony Coll, Olsen Filipaina, captain Mark Graham, James Leuluai, Michael O'Donnell, Dane O'Hara, Gary Prohm, Alan Rushton, Howie and Kevin Tamati, Shane Varley, Graeme West, Dennis Williams and .

The South Island lost to France 16-12 at the Addington Showgrounds.[1] The South Island included Bernie Green, captain Ray Baxendale, Wayne Dwyer, and Wayne Wallace. France also defeated , New Zealand Māori and . Auckland defeated France 20-10 at Carlaw Park. Auckland included; , Gary Prohm, Marcus Pouesi, James Leuluai, Dane O'Hara, Ron O'Regan, captain Shane Varley, Lyndsay Proctor, Les Beehre, Pat Poasa, Kevin Schaumkel, Tom Conroy and . Reserves; Gary Kemble and .[2]

Graeme West won the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year award.[3]

National competitions[]

Rugby League Cup[]

Canterbury held the Rugby League Cup at the end of the season. They defended the trophy 31-30 against Northland, scoring as the final hooter sounded, the West Coast 13-10 and Wellington 16-12.[1]

Canterbury included , Alan Rushton and .

Inter-district competition[]

The South Island won the Inter-Districts competition on count back.[3]

Auckland defeated the South Island 28-27.[1] defeated Auckland 19-10.[2]

The South Island included; Michael O'Donnel, , , Ray Baxendale, Wayne Wallace, and Alan Rushton.

Graeme West played for Taranaki and Central Districts.

Australasian competition[]

Main article: 1981 Tooth Cup

were eliminated after two Rounds of the Tooth Cup after losing 51-11 to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and 31-5 to the Penrith Panthers.

Club competitions[]

Auckland[]

See also: Auckland Rugby League club trophies

Mt Albert won the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Trophy, Rukutai Shield, Stormont Shield and Kiwi Shield.[4] They defeated Glenora 18-7 in the Fox Memorial Grand Final.[2] Otahuhu won the Roope Rooster, Ellerslie won the Sharman Cup and Richmond won the Norton Cup.

John Ackland (Mt Albert) won the Lipscombe Cup, Ron O'Regan (City Newton) won the Rothville Trophy, Kevin Schaumkel (Glenora) and Marcus Pouesi (Mt Albert) won the Bert Humphries Memorial, Emil Vaafusuaga (Otahuhu) and Dean Bell (Manukau) shared the Tetley Trophy, Dennis Williams (Glenora) won the Painter Rosebowl Trophy and Mike McClennan (Mt Albert) won the Hyland Memorial Cup.

Dennis Williams joined the Glenora Bears. Graham Mattson was the head coach of the new club, also serving on their inaugural committee.[5][6][7]

Eastern United, a combined senior team from the Howick and Pakuranga, were coached by Murray Eade.[8] After a poor season, he was replaced at the end of the year.[9]

Wellington[]

Petone won the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield.[4]

Kevin Tamati played for Randwick.

Canterbury[]

Eastern Suburbs won the Canterbury Rugby League's Pat Smith Challenge Trophy.[4]

Other Competitions[]

Western Suburbs won the Taranaki Rugby League championship.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987.
  2. ^ a b c Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
  3. ^ a b Sky Rugby League Annual '98 New Zealand Rugby League, 1998
  4. ^ a b c Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 New Zealand Rugby League, 1990. p.72
  5. ^ Papatoetoe Panthers Archived 20 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Auckland Rugby League
  6. ^ History - Papatoetoe Panthers RLFC Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine myclub.co.nz
  7. ^ Club History - Papatoetoe Panthers RL Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine sportsground.co.nz
  8. ^ Club History Howick Hornets
  9. ^ History Archived 4 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Pakuranga Rugby League Football Club
  10. ^ Taranaki Grand Final Countdown Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 July 2003
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