2010 New Zealand rugby league season

The New Zealand rugby league season 2010 was the one hundred and third season of rugby league

Rugby league

Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...

that was played in New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. The main feature of the year was the new National Zonal competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League

New Zealand Rugby League

The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....

. The premier teams competed for the Albert Baskerville Trophy, which was won by Auckland

Auckland rugby league team

The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...

when they defeated Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau rugby league team

The Counties Manukau rugby league team represents the Counties Manukau zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Previously, teams representing Counties Manukau have competed in the Lion Red Cup and Bartercard Cup. They are nicknamed the Stingrays...

14 - 6 in the Grand Final.

International competitions

Five test matches took place in New Zealand in 2010. Frist New Zealand hosted Samoa

Samoa national rugby league team

-Notable Players & Coaches:* John Ackland * Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994* Steve Kaiser 1986* Afi Ah Koui 1986* Andrew Ah Koui 1986* George Apelu 1986* Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995* Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994* Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006...

in a warm up match to the 2010 Four Nations

2010 Rugby League Four Nations

The 2010 Rugby League Four Nations tournament was played in Australia and New Zealand in October and November 2010. The tournament was the second time the Four Nations had been held, following on from the 2009 edition held in England and France....

, defeating them 50-6. It was the first time the two nations had played each other in a test match. As part of the Four Nations competition New Zealand played England, Australia and Papua New Guinea in Wellington, Auckland and Rotorua respectively. England and PNG also play each other as a curtain raiser to the New Zealand vs Australia match. The match against England celebrated a centenary of international rugby league in New Zealand and the English and Kiwis both wore 1910 style jerseys to mark the occasion. New Zealand went on to win the tournament, defeating Australia 16 - 12 in the final at Suncorp Stadium

Suncorp Stadium

Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...

.

Coached by Stephen Kearney

Stephen Kearney

Stephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team...

, the team consisted of: Antonio Winterstein

Antonio Winterstein

Antonio Winterstein is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL. A speedy outside back who played under-20s with the Roosters in 2008, his usual position is on the wing...

, Bronson Harrison

Bronson Harrison

Bronson Harrison is a professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He primarily plays at lock. He previously played for the Wests Tigers...

, Greg Eastwood

Greg Eastwood

Greg Eastwood is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL. A New Zealand international representative lock or second row forward, he previously for the Brisbane Broncos, Bulldogs in the NRL and Leeds Rhinos in the European Super League...

, Adam Blair

Adam Blair

Adam Blair is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League until 1 November 2011, when he will join the Wests Tigers. A New Zealand international representative forward, Blair spent six seasons with the Storm, winning...

, Sika Manu

Sika Manu

Sika Manu is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final...

, Junior Sa'u, Fuifui Moimoi

Fuifui Moimoi

Fuifui Moana Moimoi is a New Zealand-Tongan professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League competition.-Playing career:...

, Frank Pritchard

Frank Pritchard

Frank Pritchard is an Australian born New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League . He is of Samoan descent...

, Nathan Fien, Jason Nightingale

Jason Nightingale

Jason Nightingale is a professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the Australian National Rugby League...

, Jeremy Smith, Issac Luke

Issac Luke

Issac Luke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. His position of choice is either hooker or in the halves. His first-grade debut was for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in round 12...

, Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is a professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays in the centres.-Early years:...

, Frank-Paul Nuuausala

Frank-Paul Nuuausala

Frank-Paul Nu'uausala is a professional rugby league player from New Zealand who currently plays for the Sydney Roosters.-Playing career:...

, Sam Perrett

Sam Perrett

Sam Perrett is a professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. A representative for New Zealand at international level. A versatile back who is capable of playing on the wing, in the centres and at fullback...

, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a rugby league player currently with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He plays in the second-row.-Early years:Waerea-Hargreaves first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College in Queensland, through some impressive performances in the AIC...

, Lewis Brown

Lewis Brown (rugby league)

Lewis Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors. His position of preference is in the second row, where he plays for the Warriors whilst occasionally playing in the centres...

, Lance Hohaia

Lance Hohaia

Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.-Early years:...

, Simon Mannering

Simon Mannering

Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...

, Ben Matulino

Ben Matulino

Benedict Andrew Matulino is a rugby league player who has represented his country. He currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...

, Manu Vatuvei

Manu Vatuvei

Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008...

, Benji Marshall

Benji Marshall

Benji Marshall is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League . A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments...

Thomas Leuluai

Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back...

.

The Samoan side featured seven former New Zealand internationals, Tony Puletua

Tony Puletua

Anthony Puletua is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens in the European Super League. A New Zealand and Samoan international, Puletua previously played for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition...

, Francis Meli

Francis Meli

Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing....

, Ali Lauitiiti

Ali Lauitiiti

Ali Lauitiiti is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for English club Leeds Rhinos in the European Super League. Both a Samoa and New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played in the National Rugby League for the Warriors...

, David Faiumu

David Faiumu

David Faiumu is a professional rugby league footballer for the Huddersfield Giants of Super League...

, David Solomona

David Solomona

David Joseph Solomona is a professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Europe's Super League. He is regularly amongst the top off-loaders in the competition. Solomona also attended St...

, Harrison Hansen

Harrison Hansen

Harrison Hansen is a rugby league player. He plays for Wigan as a second row forward.-Early life:Kiwi forward Harrison is the son of ex Salford and Swinton professional Shane Hansen and is a product of the Folly Lane ARLFC who play at the Blue Ribbon Field, Pendlebury...

and Ben Roberts

Ben Roberts (rugby league)

Ben Roberts is a New Zealand professional rugby League player currently playing club football for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He made his second international appearance for the New Zealand national rugby league team on Friday 20 April at the 2007 ANZAC test against the Australia national...

.

Earlier in the year New Zealand lost 8-12 to Australia. Aaron Heremaia

Aaron Heremaia

Aaron Aspin Heremaia is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...

, Zeb Taia

Zeb Taia

John Zebelon "Zeb" Taia is a professional rugby league player for the Newcastle Knights who has represented New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Taia plays as a second-row, but can also play lock.-Playing career:...

and Steve Matai

Steve Matai

Stephen "Steve" Matai is a professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League. He plays as a centre. He is a New Zealand international of Samoan Heritage...

played in this match but did not make the Four Nations squad.

The Junior Kiwis

Junior Kiwis

The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...

, originally scheduled to play two matches against the England youth side, instead hosted the Junior Kangaroos in two curtain raisers to Four Nations matches. The team was coached by David Kidwell

David Kidwell

David Kidwell is a retired professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. Kidwell was a member of the 2005 Tri-Nations and 2008 World Cup winning New Zealand teams, which defeated Australia in both competitions' respective finals...

and included: Pakisonasi Afu, Martin Taupau

Martin Taupau

Martin Taupau is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL competition.-Early years:Taupau played junior rugby league for the Greenacre Tigers...

(C), Glen Fisiiahi

Glen Fisiiahi

Glen Fisiiahi is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays professionally for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:Fisiiahi is from a well known league family that includes the twin brothers Paul and David Fisiiahi...

, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Mark Ioane, Shaun Johnson, Siuatonga Likiliki

Siuatonga Likiliki

Siuatonga Likiliki is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is at .-Early years:...

, Sam Lousi, Nafe Seluini

Nafe Seluini

Nafe Seluini is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays professionally in the National Rugby League for the Penrith Panthers. His position of preference is at Hooker.-Playing career:...

, Carlos Tuimavave, Bill Tupou

Bill Tupou

Bill Tupou is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...

, Drury Low

Drury Low

Drury Low is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League. His positions is on the wing.-Playing career:...

, Matthew McIlwrick, Sam Mataora

Sam Mataora

Sam Mataora , is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders in the NRL competition. He plays as a second-row or as a centre...

, Isaac Maliota, Kane Morgan

Kane Morgan

Kane Morgan is a Australian rugby league player who currently plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League.-Playing career:A junior from the Maroubra Lions club, Morgan represented the New South Wales under 18's....

, Lama Tasi

Lama Tasi

Lama Tasi is a rugby league player who currently plays in a Australia. He played in the National Youth Competition for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In 2010 he signed with the Sydney Roosters....

, Dean Whare

Dean Whare

Dean Whare ' is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. His position is at .-Playing career:...

and Jason Taumalolo

Jason Taumalolo

Jason Taumalolo is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League competition.-Biography:...

. They lost to Australia 16-24 but won the second match 32-20 after trailing 0-20 at halftime.

The New Zealand Māori rugby league team

New Zealand Maori rugby league team

-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...

played England

England national rugby league team

The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...

in a curtain raiser to the New Zealand v Samoa test match. After trailing 18-0 the Māori came back to draw the match 18-all. The team was coached by Richie Blackmore

Richie Blackmore (rugby league)

James Richard "Richie" Blackmore is a rugby league coach and former professional footballer who represented his country. His position of preference was in the centres. He is currently the head coach of the Auckland Vulcans....

and Mark Horo

Mark Horo

Mark Gregory Horo is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New Zealand international representative, he played club football in New Zealand for Te Atatu and in Australia for Parramatta and Wests before finishing his career back in Auckland with the Warriors...

and consisted of: Kevin Locke

Kevin Locke (rugby league)

Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...

, Sandor Earl

Sandor Earl

Sandor "Princess" Earl is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL. He primarily plays on the wing.-Early years:...

, Timana Tahu

Timana Tahu

Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition...

, Clinton Toopi

Clinton Toopi

Clinton Toopi is a professional rugby footballer who is currently playing for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. His usual position is centre.-Playing career:...

, Arana Taumata

Arana Taumata

Arana Taumata is a New Zealand rugby league footballer, playing for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and primarily in the five-eighth position.-Playing career:...

, Rangi Chase

Rangi Chase

Rangi Chase is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays in the Super League competition for the Castleford Tigers. He attended famous Maori school Te Aute College in 1999 before moving to Australia where he attended Keebra Park State High School...

, Jeremy Smith, Willie Heta, Aaron Heremaia

Aaron Heremaia

Aaron Aspin Heremaia is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...

, Weller Hauraki

Weller Hauraki

Weller Hauraki is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. He is a New Zealand Māori representative. Hauraki is a Second Rower...

, Justin Horo

Justin Horo

Justin Horo is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels of the National Rugby League. He plays in the second-row.-Playing career:...

, Bodene Thompson

Bodene Thompson

Bodene Thompson is an professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Gold Coast Titans of the NRL.-Playing career:...

, Kevin Proctor

Kevin Proctor

Kevin Proctor is a rugby league player who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. He plays as a second-row.-Playing career:Born in Te Kuiti, Proctor's iwi is Ngā Puhi....

, James Tamou

James Tamou

James Tamou is a New Zealand rugby league prop who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League . He is contracted to the club until the end of the 2013 season.-Playing career:...

, Sam McKendry

Sam McKendry

Sam McKendry is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He plays as a prop and is a New Zealand international.-Early years:...

and Russell Packer

Russell Packer

Russell Packer is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League competition...

.

The Kiwiferns played two matches against their English counterparts, winning the series 2-0.

A New Zealand Residents

New Zealand Residents rugby league team

The New Zealand Residents are a New Zealand rugby league football representative side that is selected from players competing in domestic competitions.-History:In 1977 Dane Sorensen became the first New Zealander to be...

team was expected to compete in an end-of-season international fixture, but the team pulled out at the last minute. The Residents still assembled and took part in an opposed training session with the New Zealand Kiwis. The team was co-coached by Ken McIntosh

Ken McIntosh

Kenneth McIntosh is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who currently coaches the Northcote Tigers and Auckland. He played professionally with the Penrith Panthers.-Playing career:...

and Brent Stuart

Brent Stuart

Brent Clifford Stuart is a rugby league coach and former player who represented his country.-Playing career:A West Coast and Canterbury representative, Stuart spent two years in the Northern Territory in the mid-1980s and represented the Territory against Parramatta. In 1993 he was invited to be...

and included James Blackwell (Counties Manukau), Junior Salevao (South Island), Shaun Metcalf (Auckland), Matt Wanoa (Wellington), Bureta Faraimo (Wellington), Matt Everitt (Wellington), Trent Wallace (Auckland), Karl Edmondson (Auckland), Darin Kingi (Counties Manukau), Jaye Pukepuke (South Island), Alfred Penese (Wellington), Tane Hart (Auckland), Saulala Houma (Auckland). Bench: Suaia Matagi (Auckland), George Mafi (Wellington), Hemi Kemp (Wellington) and Pauly Tuuta (Heartland).

At the New Zealand Rugby League

New Zealand Rugby League

awards Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is a professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays in the centres.-Early years:...

was named the International Player of the Year while Lewis Brown

Lewis Brown (rugby league)

won the International Rookie award. Shane Rehm

Shane Rehm

Shane Rehm is a New Zealand rugby league referee. An international referee, Rehm has also controlled Auckland Rugby League, New Zealand Rugby League and Toyota Cup matches since 2009.-Playing career:Rehm has refereed in NSW Cup and Toyota Cup matches...

was the Referee of they year, Saulala Houma won the Domestic award and Matt Duffie

Matt Duffie

Matthew Duffie is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. Duffie was a part of the Melbourne Storm Under 20's Premiership winning team in 2009, scoring 25 tries. On 1 May Duffie was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis for the 2011 ANZAC Test...

won the Junior player of the year. Nathan Cayless

Nathan Cayless

Nathan Frederick Cayless is a retired New Zealand-Australian professional rugby league footballer, who was a long-time captain the Parramatta Eels of the National Rugby League. His position of choice was prop forward. He is also a former captain of the New Zealand national team, whom he led to...

was given a special recognition award. Benji Marshall

Benji Marshall

later won the World Golden Boot Award

Rugby League World Golden Boot Award

The Rugby League World Golden Boot Award is a rugby league award handed out annually for achievements in rugby league by Rugby League World magazine...

as best international player while Shaun Kenny-Dowall finished second in the voting and was named at centre in the international team of the year. At the Maori Sports Awards Stephen Kearney

Stephen Kearney

Stephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team...

won Coach of the Year while Henry Perenara

Henry Perenara

Henry Edward Perenara is a New Zealand rugby league referee and former professional player who represented his country. His position of choice is at Lock though he can also play in the Second Row...

won the umpire/referee award. Richie Blackmore

Richie Blackmore (rugby league)

won the Coach of the Year award at the Counties Manukau Sporting Excellence Awards while the Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau rugby league team

under 17 side, coached by Blackmore, won the Junior sportsteam award.

Rugby League Cup

Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby League

Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...

currently holds the Rugby League Cup

Rugby League Cup

The Rugby League Cup is a New Zealand rugby league trophy that is currently contested between districts on a challenge basis. The trophy was originally known as the Northern Union Cup...

, having won it from Auckland

Auckland rugby league team

in 2009. The Cup was not defended in 2010.

National Zonal competition

Following the Sparc

Sport and Recreation New Zealand

Sport and Recreation New Zealand is the New Zealand government body responsible for community sport and recreation programs. It was formed on 1 January 2003 and took over the functions of the Hillary Commission, the New Zealand Sports Foundation and the policy arm of the Office of Tourism and...

funded review and restructure of the New Zealand Rugby League

New Zealand Rugby League

, seven new zonal teams competed in the 2010 National Zonal competition. Under 15's and Under 17's competitions were also to be held as curtain raisers to the senior matches. The Premiers competed for the Albert Baskerville Trophy which was won by Auckland

Auckland rugby league team

, who defeated Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau rugby league team

14 - 6 in the Grand Final.

Teams

The seven zones are;

Northland Zone (Northern Swords): Consisting of the Northland and Whangarei districts, the Northern Swords were coached by Revell Neal. The Zone was initially to also include North Shore clubs but the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...

went to court to reduce the financial impact of a three-way split.
Auckland Zone
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...

: Consisting of players from West, Central, North Harbour and Eastern Auckland, the Auckland team were coached by Northcote Tigers
Northcote Tigers
The Northcote Tigers are a rugby league club based in Northcote, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1910 as the Northcote Warriors.The Tigers compete in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. Between 2000 and 2002 the Northcote Tigers competed in the national Bartercard...

coach Ken McIntosh
Ken McIntosh
Kenneth McIntosh is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who currently coaches the Northcote Tigers and Auckland. He played professionally with the Penrith Panthers.-Playing career:...

and included Sala Fa'alogo
Sala Fa'alogo
Sala Fa'alogo is a New Zealand rugby league player who played professionally for Widnes in the Super League. He currently plays for the Mount Albert Lions in the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition....

and Malo Solomona
Malo Solomona
Malofou Solomona is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented Samoa. He currently plays for the Glenora Bears in the Auckland Rugby League...

. The manager was Mick Lacey from the Ellerslie Eagles.
Counties Manukau Zone
Counties Manukau rugby league team
The Counties Manukau rugby league team represents the Counties Manukau zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Previously, teams representing Counties Manukau have competed in the Lion Red Cup and Bartercard Cup. They are nicknamed the Stingrays...

: Consisting of players from South Auckland, including Otahuhu, Counties Manukau was coached by Rusty Matua with Richie Blackmore
Richie Blackmore (rugby league)
James Richard "Richie" Blackmore is a rugby league coach and former professional footballer who represented his country. His position of preference was in the centres. He is currently the head coach of the Auckland Vulcans....

coaching the under 17's.
Upper Central Zone (Waicoa Bay Stallions)
Waicoa Bay Stallions
The Waicoa Bay Stallions are a rugby league team that represent the Upper Central Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. This is a vast area that includes Hamilton, Rotorua and Taupo...

: Consisting of players from the Waikato
Waikato Rugby League
Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team...

, Coastline, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty Rugby League
Bay of Plenty Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand...

districts the Waicoa Bay Stallions were coached by Tahe Morunga.
Mid-Central Zone (Heartland)
Heartland rugby league team
The Central Vipers are a New Zealand rugby league team that represent the Mid-Central Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. The draw on players from the Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki districts. In 2010 the Central Vipers were known as Heartland....

: Consisting of players from the Taranaki
Taranaki Rugby League
Taranaki Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. The TRL are represented by the Taranaki rugby league team...

, Wanganui, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu
Manawatu Rugby League
Manawatu Rugby League was formed in 1957. 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 Kiwis. This was Kiwi number 456, Dick Uluave, who played two tests in 1979.-National Competitions:In...

districts the Heartland premiers were coached by Mike Graham. Manawatu and Taranaki
Taranaki rugby league team
The Taranaki rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Taranaki Rugby League. They have been nicknamed the Rockets, Sharks and Wildcats.-1908:...

played a trial match before the squad was announced, with Manawatu victorious.
Wellington Zone (Wellington Orcas)
Wellington Orcas
The Wellington rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Wellington Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They currently compete in the National Zonal Competition as the Wellington Orcas.-Early years:...

: Drawn from the Wellington Rugby League
Wellington Rugby League
Wellington Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Greater Wellington region. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellington rugby league team.- Local Senior Competition :The...

competition the Wellington Orcas were coached by Trevor Clark while David Lomax
David Lomax
David Walter Lomax is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who represented his country. He is the brother of another international, John Lomax.-Early years:...

coaches the under 17s.*
Southern Zone (South Island)
South Island rugby league team
The South Island rugby league team represents the Southern Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. The Zone represented the Southland, Otago, West Coast, Canterbury and Tasman districts. They are nicknamed the Scorpions...

: Drawn from the Tasman, West Coast, Canterbury
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...

, Otago and Southland districts the South Island team was coached by Brent Stuart
Brent Stuart
Brent Clifford Stuart is a rugby league coach and former player who represented his country.-Playing career:A West Coast and Canterbury representative, Stuart spent two years in the Northern Territory in the mid-1980s and represented the Territory against Parramatta. In 1993 he was invited to be...

with Mike Doreen
Mike Doreen
Mike Dorreen is a former professional rugby league player who represented New Zealand. His position of preference was at centre.-New Zealand:...

coaching the under 17s. The premiers team included Jaye Pukepuke and Blair Sims. Sims later lost his life in the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster
Pike River Mine disaster
The Pike River Mine disaster was a coal mining accident that began on 19 November 2010 in the Pike River Mine, northeast of Greymouth, in the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. A first explosion occurred in the mine at approximately 3:44 pm . At the time of the explosion 31...

. Otago
Otago rugby league team
The Otago rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Otago Rugby League. They are known as the Whalers. In the past they have been nicknamed the Storm, the Raiders and the 45er's.-History:...

defeated Southland
Southland rugby league team
The Southland rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Southland Rugby League. In the past they have been nicknamed the Rams.-History:...

26-20 in August.

*Gisborne and Hawkes Bay are included in Wellington Zone for administration purposes but their players play in the Upper Central and Mid-Central representative teams respectively.

Season standings

Team	Pld	W	L	B	PF	PA	Pts
Auckland Auckland rugby league team The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...	6	5	1	1	232	86	12
Counties Manukau Counties Manukau rugby league team The Counties Manukau rugby league team represents the Counties Manukau zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Previously, teams representing Counties Manukau have competed in the Lion Red Cup and Bartercard Cup. They are nicknamed the Stingrays...	6	4	2	1	232	142	10
Wellington Orcas Wellington Orcas The Wellington rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Wellington Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They currently compete in the National Zonal Competition as the Wellington Orcas.-Early years:...	6	4	2	1	188	100	10
South Island South Island rugby league team The South Island rugby league team represents the Southern Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. The Zone represented the Southland, Otago, West Coast, Canterbury and Tasman districts. They are nicknamed the Scorpions...	6	4	2	1	196	126	10
Waicoa Bay Stallions Waicoa Bay Stallions The Waicoa Bay Stallions are a rugby league team that represent the Upper Central Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. This is a vast area that includes Hamilton, Rotorua and Taupo...	6	3	3	1	186	172	8
Heartland Heartland rugby league team The Central Vipers are a New Zealand rugby league team that represent the Mid-Central Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. The draw on players from the Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki districts. In 2010 the Central Vipers were known as Heartland....	6	1	5	1	132	146	4
Northern Swords	6	0	6	1	46	440	2

Source:

Round 1

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
South Island	28-6	Heartland	29 August	Rugby League Park Rugby League Park Rugby League Park is a rugby league stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.-History:... , Christchurch
Wellington	22-8	Waicoa Bay	29 August	Fraser Park, Wellington
Auckland	28-16	Counties-Manukau	15 September	Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... No.2, Auckland

Bye: Northern

Round 2

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
Northern	10-86	Counties-Manukau	5 September	Lindvart Park, Kaikohe
Auckland	18-24	Wellington	4 September	Cornwall Park Stadium Cornwall Park Stadium Cornwall Park Stadium or Cornwall Park is a cricket ground in Auckland, New Zealand. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1958, when England women played a New Zealand women's touring team. The ground has also hosted three Women's Test matches and three Women's ODIs.-External links:* at... , Auckland
Waicoa Bay	36-18	Heartland	5 September	Resthills Park, Hamilton

Bye: South Island

Round 3

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
South Island	34-36	Waicoa Bay	11 September	Burnham Military Camp
Heartland	14-24	Auckland	12 September	Clifton Park, Waitara
Wellington	74-0	Northern	12 September	Porirua Stadium, Wellington

Bye: Counties-Manukau

Round 4

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
Northern	16–64	South Island	19 September	Jubilee Park, Whangarei
Counties Manukau	42–12	Waicoa Bay	19 September	Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura
Heartland	10–18	Wellington	19 September	Arena Manawatu Arena Manawatu Arena Manawatu is the current name of the 180,000 square metre publicly owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand.It has three linked indoor stadiums, with movable tiered seating... , Palmerston North

Bye: Auckland

Round 5

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
Auckland	28-4	South Island	25 September	Cornwall Park Stadium Cornwall Park Stadium Cornwall Park Stadium or Cornwall Park is a cricket ground in Auckland, New Zealand. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1958, when England women played a New Zealand women's touring team. The ground has also hosted three Women's Test matches and three Women's ODIs.-External links:* at... , Auckland
Waicoa Bay	72-8	Northern	26 September	Blake Park, Tauranga
Counties Manukau	34-30	Wellington	26 September	Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura

Bye: Heartland

Round 6

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
South Island	36-20	Counties Manukau	3 October	Rugby League Park Rugby League Park Rugby League Park is a rugby league stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.-History:... , Christchurch
Heartland	58-6	Northern	3 October	Yarrow Stadium Yarrow Stadium Yarrow Stadium is situated in the central suburb of Westown in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand, with main vehicle access off Maratahu St... , New Plymouth
Waicoa Bay	22-48	Auckland	3 October	Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

Bye: Wellington

Round 7

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
Wellington	20-30	South Island	10 October	Porirua Stadium, Wellington
Counties Manukau	34-26	Heartland	10 October	Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura
Northern	6-86	Auckland	10 October	Okura Park, Whangarei

Bye: Waicoa Bay

Grand Final

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
Home	Score	Away	Date	Venue
Auckland	14 - 6	Counties Manukau	17 October	Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... , Auckland

Mark Graham Cup

The Under 17 competition was named after Mark Graham

Mark Graham (rugby league)

Mark Kerry Graham is a New Zealand retired rugby league footballer and coach. A back-rower and former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team, he has been named as the greatest player the country has produced in the century from 1907 to 2006.-Playing career:An Otahahu junior, Graham...

. Counties Manukau bet Auckland 22 - 12 in the final to become the inaugural holders of the Mark Graham Cup.

Nathan Cayless Cup

The Under 15 competition was named after Nathan Cayless

Nathan Cayless

. Counties Manukau bet Wellington Orcas 30 - 16 in the final to become the inaugural holders of the Nathan Cayless Cup.

Australian competitions

New Zealand Warriors

The New Zealand Warriors

New Zealand Warriors

The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...

competed in the National Rugby League

National Rugby League

The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...

competition, finishing fifth in regular season before being eliminated after losing their Qualifying Final. The Warriors also fielded an under-20 side in the Toyota Cup who finished second in the regular season before going on to win the Toyota Cup Grand Final. This was the clubs first grand final win at any level. The club also won the Club Championship for being the best performing club during the regular season (combined NRL and Toyota Cup results).

Auckland Vulcans

The Auckland Vulcans

Auckland Vulcans

The Auckland Vulcans are an Auckland based rugby league club that participates in the New South Wales Cup. They are administered by the Rugby League Development Foundation. The team is selected from the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Competition and also uses Warriors squad members not...

competed in the NSW Cup competition finishing ninth out of twelve teams and missing the finals by just one point.

Auckland

Eight teams competed in the Lion Red Fox Memorial first division which was won by the minor premiers Otahuhu Leopards

Otahuhu Leopards

The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...

after they defeated the defending champions, the Mount Albert Lions, 22-18.

East Coast Bays

East Coast Bays Barracudas

The East Coast Bays Barracudas is an rugby league club based in Browns Bay, New Zealand. They currently compete in the Fox Memorial, the premier division in Auckland Rugby League.-Notable players:...

won the Sharman Cup while the Point Chevalier Pirates

Point Chevalier Pirates

The Point Chevalier Pirates are an Auckland rugby league club based in Point Chevalier. The Pirates currently compete in the Phelan Shield competition run by the Auckland Rugby League.-History:The club was founded in 1920....

, coached by Awen Guttenbeil

Awen Guttenbeil

Awen Guttenbeil is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. Since retiring after a playing career spanning fifteen years, he now works as a broadcaster for Sky Network Television and as a presenter on Maori TV sports show, Hyundai Code...

and Stacey Jones

Stacey Jones

Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...

, won the Phelan Shield.

Wellington

Eight teams competed in the Wellington Rugby League

Wellington Rugby League

Wellington Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Greater Wellington region. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellington rugby league team.- Local Senior Competition :The...

's Premier Appleton Shield in 2010. The Porirua Vikings defeated the Wainuiomata Lions

Wainuiomata Lions

The Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...

18-10 at Fraser Park on 14 August. The Lions had earlier finished the regular season as minor premiers.

Upper Hutt College

Upper Hutt College

Upper Hutt College is a state co-educational secondary school in the city of Upper Hutt, in the Wellington region of New Zealand.The school day runs from 8:40 am to 3:15 pm, and students attend five one-hour classes per day...

won the secondard schools Stephen Kearney

Stephen Kearney

Stephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team...

Cup competition by defeating Rongotai College

Rongotai College

Rongotai College is an all-boys state secondary school in the south-eastern suburb of Rongotai in Wellington, New Zealand. The students are aged 12 to 19.The decile 6 school has a roll of over 650 students...

30-16. They are unbeaten in secondary schools rugby league since 2007.

Canterbury

Eight teams competed in the Canterbury Rugby League

Canterbury Rugby League

's Harringtons Premiership in 2010. The Papanui Tigers won the minor premiership. The Tigers lost 6-22 in the grand final which was won by the Hornby Panthers at Rugby League Park

Rugby League Park

Rugby League Park is a rugby league stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.-History:...

on 15 August.

In March, prop Vince Whare was banned for ten years following a positive test for cannabis

Cannabis

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...

after a 2009 Bartercard Premiership

2009 Bartercard Premiership

The 2009 New Zealand rugby league season was the one hundred and second season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the second season of the Bartercard Premiership competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League...

match. Whare had previously been warned and fined in 2005 and banned in 2006 for two years for the same offence.

Phil Prescott coached Halswell.

Other competitions

The Hamilton City Tigers won the Waikato Rugby League

Waikato Rugby League

Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team...

competition, defeating Taniwharau Rugby League 19-12 to claim the Lion Breweries Trophy.

Clubs from the Bay of Plenty, Coastline and Gisborne districts played in a full round championship. The Otumoetai Eels won the competition, defeating the Ngongotaha Chiefs

Ngongotaha Chiefs

The Ngongotaha Chiefs are a New Zealand rugby league club. They are from Ngongotaha in the Bay of Plenty. In 2000 and 2001 they competed in the Bartercard Cup but now they compete in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League competition.-Notable players:...

24-18. The Waikato and Tri-district champions were then scheduled to meet in a play-off however the match was called off after the Otumoetai Eels and Waikato Rugby League

Waikato Rugby League

Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team...

could not agree on sharing the revenue. Matthew Spence

Matthew Spence

Matthew Spence is a former rugby league player and coach. His position of preference was in the Second Row, although he also played as prop occasionally.-Early years:...

was the Turangi Dambusters' player-coach while David Peachey

David Peachey

David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...

played for the Taupo Phoenix.

The Paikea Whalers and Tapuae met in the Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League grand final.

The Waitara Bears defeated the Marist Dragons 32-22 in the Taranaki Lile Shield

Taranaki Rugby League

Taranaki Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. The TRL are represented by the Taranaki rugby league team...

premier grand final at Yarrow Stadium

Yarrow Stadium

Yarrow Stadium is situated in the central suburb of Westown in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand, with main vehicle access off Maratahu St...

. The Coastal Cobras and Hawera Hawks were the semi-finalists.

The Fielding Falcons defeated the Marist Dragons 20-18 to win the combined Taranaki-Manawatu Western Division. Later in the season the Falcons defeated the Linton Cobras 32-6 to also win the Manawatu Rugby League

Manawatu Rugby League

Manawatu Rugby League was formed in 1957. 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 Kiwis. This was Kiwi number 456, Dick Uluave, who played two tests in 1979.-National Competitions:In...

competition.

The Stoke Cobras won the Tasman rugby league competition, defeating the Tahuna Tigers 34—26 in a grand final that was attended by Simon Mannering

Simon Mannering

Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...

and Micheal Luck

Micheal Luck

Micheal Luck is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors. Micheal Luck's position of choice is as a lock or in the second-row.-Queensland:...

.

Blair Sims was named the West Coast Rugby League's player of the season.

The Lone Star Hawks won the Otago Rugby League grand final, defeating the Todd Engineering Pirates 28-12.

The Winton Warlords upset favourites He Tauaa 30-22 to win the Southland Rugby League grand final.

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