Manawatu Rugby League

Manawatu Rugby League was formed in 1957.^[1] They are currently part of the Mid-Central zone along with Taranaki Rugby League.

Kiwi Players[]

Only one player from Manawatu has ever made the New Zealand national rugby league team. This was Kiwi number 456, Dick Uluave, who played two tests in 1979.

National Competitions[]

In 1997 Manawatu had a team in the Lion Red Cup. This team was known as the Manawatu Mustangs.

Between 2002 and 2007 Manawatu Rugby League fielded a side in the national Bartercard Cup. This team was known as the Central Falcons. However Manawatu was not invited to field a side in 2008's new Bartercard Premiership.

Regional Competitions[]

Western Alliance[]

Western Alliance was created in 2003 when clubs from Taranaki, Wellington and Manawatu competed in a 12-team regional competition. However, in 2004 all Wellington clubs pulled out to work on their own local competition. In 2007 Kia Ora Warriors ended Waitara's two-year reign as Western Alliance champion with a resolute, 29-20 win in the grand final.

Teams that competed in the 2007 Western Alliance were:

• Waitara Bears
• Linton Cobras
• Feilding Falcons
• Coastal Cobras
• Marist Dragons
• Western Suburbs Tigers
• Kia Ora Warriors
• Hawera Hawks
• Taitoko United
• Castlecliff Seagulls

Premier Grade[]

• Castlecliff Seagulls
• Kia Ora Warriors
• Feilding Falcons
• Taitoko United
• Linton Cobras
• Foxton Rebels

Cartown Cup[]

• Marton Bears
• Waiouru Bobcats
• Linton Cobras
• Taitoko United
• Wanganui Vikings 1
• Whiti Te Ra
• Kia Ora Warriors
• Foxton Rebels
• Dannevirke Tigers
• Wanganui Vikings 2

References[]