1978 New Zealand rugby league season
1978 New Zealand rugby league season |
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The 1978 New Zealand rugby league season was the 71st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
International competitions
New Zealand toured Australia and Papua New Guinea. The Kiwis lost 0–3 to Australia but defeated Papua New Guinea in the first Test match between the two countries. Ron Ackland coached the Kiwis who were selected by Ackland, Bill Sorensen and Harry Walker and included; Fred Ah Kuoi, Ray Baxendale, Ian Bell, Tony Coll, Murray Eade, Olsen Filipaina, Mark Graham, Whetu Henry, Chris Jordan, Dane O'Hara, Lyndsay Proctor, Gary Prohm, Alan Rushton, John Smith, captain Ken Stirling, Glenn Taylor, Shane Varley, Dennis Williams, Nick Wright, Steve McGregor and Warren Winter. Barry Edkins was injured on debut.[1]
The New South Wales Rugby League's St. George Dragons defeated Auckland 27–18 in September. A week later the Auckland Rugby League's Otahuhu Leopards defeated the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 8–2.[1]
Olsen Filipaina won the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year award.[2]
National competitions
Rugby League Cup
Taranaki again held the Rugby League Cup at the end of the season.
Inter-zone competition
Northern Zone defeated Southern Zone 11–5.[3]
Inter-district competition
Auckland retained the Rothmans trophy when they defeated Canterbury 20–13 at Carlaw Park.[2][3] Canterbury had defeated the West Coast 39–8 in Greymouth.[3]
Olsen Filipaina, Fred Ah Kuoi, Dennis Williams, Gray Prohm and Nick Wright played for Auckland, who were coached by Don Hammond.[1] Mocky Brereton played for Canterbury.
South Island Second Division
Canterbury B won the South Island second division title, defeating the West Coast B, Marlborough-Tasman Bays and Otago-Southland.[3]
Australasian competition
Club competitions
Auckland
Gene Swann (Marist) won the Lipscombe Cup,
Wellington
Petone won the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield.[4]
Kevin Tamati played for Upper Hutt.
Canterbury
Papanui won the Canterbury Rugby League's Pat Smith Challenge Trophy.[4]
The "United" club joined in 1978. It drew many members from the
Other Competitions
The Waitara Bears won the Taranaki Rugby League championship. Marist were the runners up[6]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4.
- ^ a b Sky Rugby League Annual '98 New Zealand Rugby League, 1998
- ^ a b c d e Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987.
- ^ a b c Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 New Zealand Rugby League, 1990. p. 72
- ^ Club History Howick Hornets
- ^ Taranaki Grand Final Countdown Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 July 2003