2006 New Zealand rugby league season

The 2006 New Zealand rugby league season was the 99th season of

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team co-hosted the Tri-Nations with Australia. Three tests were played in New Zealand; with the Kiwis defeating Great Britain 18–14 in Christchurch and 34–4 in Wellington and losing to Australia 18–30 in Auckland. New Zealand lost the final, which was played in Sydney, 16–12 to Australia after Golden Point extra time. The first win against Great Britain was discounted after it was discovered that Nathan Fien was ineligible to play for New Zealand. Coached by Brian McClennan, for the Tri-Nations New Zealand included; Roy Asotasi, Adam Blair, Jason and Nathan Cayless, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Shontayne Hape, Stacey Jones, David Kidwell, Simon Mannering, Steve Matai, Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua, Jerome Ropati, Iosia Soliola, Motu Tony, Tame Tupou, Nigel Vagana, Manu Vatuvei, Brent Webb and captain Ruben Wiki.

Earlier in the year New Zealand had lost the

Auckland hosted the 2006 Pacific Cup, which was won by Tonga. New Zealand Māori finished third.^[6] The Māori had already defeated Fiji in a January test match. Later in the season the New Zealand Māori team toured the Cook Islands, losing a three match series 2–1.^[7] The New Zealand Māori side was coached by Dean Clark and included Paul Atkins, Jeremiah Pai and Steve Skinnon. Kevin Tamati coached the team in the January match, which included Luke Goodwin.

National competitions

Bartercard Cup

The 2006 Bartercard Cup was the seventh season of the

• Northland, who finished last, were coached by Geoff Morton and ran two training squads each week; one based in Whangarei and one based in Auckland.
  Anthony Murray who had died earlier that week.^[10]
• Harbour were coached by Ken McIntosh and included Shaun Metcalf, Shaun Ata, Jeremiah Pai and Artie Shead.^[11]
• Waitakere were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Cliff Beverley, Lee Tamatoa, Gavin Bailey, Matt Rua, Karl Guttenbeil, Scott Jones and Boycie Nelson.^[11][12][13]
• Auckland were coached by
  Julian O'Neill.^{[11][12][13][14][15]}
• Tamaki were coached by Dean Clark and included Paul Atkins, George Tuakura, Constantine Mika, Leeson Ah Mau and Cooper Vuna.^[11]
• Counties Manukau were coached by
  Kimi Uasi, Sonny Fai, Willie Wolfgramm and Marvin Filipo.^[11]
• The Waicoa Bay Stallions included Sam Rapira, Isaac John and Lance Hohaia.^[12][16]
• Central were coached by David Lomax and included Ricky Thorby and Russell Packer.^[11] The Falcons played a game in New Plymouth, the first Bartercard Cup match in the region since the Taranaki Wildcats were excluded from the competition at the end of the 2003 season.^[17]
• Wellington were coached by Paul Bergman and included Mose Masoe, Ben Matulino, Alehana Mara and Meli Koliavu.^[18]
• Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott and included Shane Beyers, Richard Villasanti, Lusi Sione, Joseph Pombo and Corey Lawrie.^[11][13][19]

Season Standings

The Playoffs

The playoff system used was the

• Canterbury and Waitakere (being second and third respectively) got a double-chance, as did the Auckland Lions (minor premiers) and the other team that got to play in the Qualification Semi-final (Canterbury).
• The Auckland Lions, being the minor premiers, did't have to play until the Qualification Semi-final.
• Basically, the higher you were on the table, the easier your road to the grand final was.

Grand Final

National First Division

Auckland won the National First Division championship.^[3] They were coached by Sam Panapa and defeated Wellington 32–14 in the final at Wise Park. Canterbury and Waikato also competed. The squads were limited to players that had played less than three Bartercard Cup matches that season.

Australian competitions

The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 10th out of 15 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Mount Albert Lions won the Fox Memorial trophy, the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership) and the Roope Rooster. The Lions defeated the Papakura Sea Eagles, 49–6, in the final.^[3] Mangere East Hawks won the Stormont Shield.

The Manurewa Marlins won the Sharman Cup (Division Two) while Hibiscus Coast won the Phelan Shield (Division Three).

Richie Blackmore coached Otahuhu.^[3]

Canterbury

Hornby won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae defeated the Pikiao Warriors in the Waicoa Bay championship.

The Paikea Whalers defeated EITSA 42-18 to win the Eastern Alliance championship.^[20]

References