Te Atatu Roosters
Encyclopedia
The Te Atatu Roosters is a rugby league
club based in Te Atatu
. The Roosters compete in the Fox Memorial, the premier division in Auckland Rugby League
. In recent years Te Atatu have struggled to enjoy much success for a variety of reasons, mainly connected to losing players to the Lion Red Cup
(1994-1996) to the defunct Waitakere City Raiders
, then to the Glenora Bears
and Waitakere Rangers
in the Bartercard Cup
, along of course with the Auckland/New Zealand Warriors
who have had a team in the NRL
since 1995.
, next to the North Western Motorway. Junior teams play at Te Atatu Park on the peninsula.
The club was founded in 1955. Its first New Zealand representative was Dennis Williams
who aged only 18 famously scored a brilliant individual try with his first touch of the ball in his debut test versus Great Britain.
Te Atatu played the first ever Australian Aboriginal rugby league team
in February 1973, losing 13-17.
They were the National Club Champions in 1986 and 1988.
In 2005 the club celebrated its 50th Jubilee.
. They also went on to win the National Club Final against Glenora at Eden Park
in the same year. The match was televised live as it was the curtainraiser to the New Zealand - Australia Rugby League World Cup final which Australia went on to win 25-12 in front of 45,363 spectators. Te Atatu made the Fox Memorial grand final for the first time in 1986 where they went down heavily to the Mt Albert Lions
by 31-4. A few weeks later they had revenge when they beat the Lions by 36-10 to claim their first National Club title at Carlaw Park
. In 1990 they again made the Fox Memorial final but went down to a Tawera Nikau
inspired Otahuhu Leopards
.
In 2007 Te Atatu won the Roope Rooster which became a title which winning teams defended on their home ground, similar to the Ranfurly Shield
in New Zealand domestic rugby, although the Roope Rooster is played for within the Auckland competition only. Te Atatu defeated Mt Albert and defended it for 3 matches before losing it to the Richmond Bulldogs in the same season.
Peter Brown
Mark Elia
Shontayne Hape
Mark Horo
Ron O'Regan
Dean Orr
Sam Panapa
Robbie Paul
Henry Paul
John Smith
Dennis Williams
John Wilson
New Zealand Maori
Terry O'Shea
Dennis Williams
Junior Kiwis
Taime Tagaloa
New Zealand Under 19s
Terry O'Shea
Mark Elia
New Zealand Under 16s
Dean Orr
Benjamen Vai
Auckland/New Zealand Warriors
Mark Horo
David Bailey
Patrick Ah Van
Shontayne Hape
Auckland (excluding New Zealand representatives)
David Bailey
Allen Cunningham
Michael Kini
Carl Magatogia
Neville Ramsey
Phil Robards
Iva Ropati
Dean Orr
Wayne Robertson
Mike Smith
Jim Denyer
1988 Fox Memorial Winning Team
1. Carl Magatogia, 2. Iva Ropati
, 3. Sam Panapa
, 4. Grant Raynor, 5. Mark Elia
, 6. Ron O'Regan
(player-coach), 7. Carl Taylor, 8. Peter Brown, 9. Peter Ropati
, 10. Craig Coyle, 11. Tony Botica, 12. Mark Horo
, 13. Terry O'Shea, 14. Mau Tofa, 15. Graham Huggins, 16. Raymond Hall, 17. Duane Gwadenski
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...
club based in Te Atatu
Te Atatu
Te Atatu is the name of two suburbs in western Auckland, New Zealand: Te Atatu Peninsula and Te Atatu South. They are located next to each other some 10 kilometres to the west of the Auckland city centre....
. The Roosters compete in the Fox Memorial, the premier division in 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...
. In recent years Te Atatu have struggled to enjoy much success for a variety of reasons, mainly connected to losing players to the Lion Red Cup
Lion Red Cup
The Lion Red Cup was a New Zealand domestic rugby league competition that ran from 1994-1996 sponsored by brewers Lion Nathan. It was created due to the increase in public awareness of domestic rugby league due to the Auckland Warriors being accepted into the Winfield Cup. The competition was a...
(1994-1996) to the defunct Waitakere City Raiders
Waitakere City Raiders
The Waitakere City Raiders were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Waitakere City in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996.-Notable players:...
, then to the Glenora Bears
Glenora Bears
The Glenora Bears are a rugby league football club based in Glen Eden, New Zealand who compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. The club was established in 1931...
and Waitakere Rangers
Waitakere Rangers
The Waitakere Rangers were a franchise in the now defunct Bartercard Cup rugby league competition in New Zealand. They represented five clubs based in Waitakere City including the Glenora Bears who previously represented the City in the Bartercard Cup. The other four clubs were the Waitemata...
in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
, along of course with the Auckland/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...
who have had a team in the NRL
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...
since 1995.
Home Ground
The Roosters play at the council owned Jack Colvin Park located in Te Atatu PeninsulaTe Atatu Peninsula
- to the south-west - to the west - to the north-west Te Atatu South Lincoln Massey West Harbour Te Atatu Peninsula, formerly known as "Te Atatu North", is an Auckland suburb...
, next to the North Western Motorway. Junior teams play at Te Atatu Park on the peninsula.
History
Dennis Williams
Dennis Arthur Williams is a former New Zealand rugby league international.-Playing career:Williams was a Te Atatu Roosters player in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 1977 he won the Rothville Trophy as player of the year and in 1980 he was the competitions leading goalscorer...
who aged only 18 famously scored a brilliant individual try with his first touch of the ball in his debut test versus Great Britain.
Te Atatu played the first ever Australian Aboriginal rugby league team
Australian Aboriginal rugby league team
The Australia Aboriginal rugby league team is a rugby league football team that represents Australian Aborigines...
in February 1973, losing 13-17.
They were the National Club Champions in 1986 and 1988.
In 2005 the club celebrated its 50th Jubilee.
Titles
Te Atatu first won the coveted Fox Memorial Shield title, awarded to the Auckland club champions in 1988 with a 22-16 win over local rivals the Glenora BearsGlenora Bears
The Glenora Bears are a rugby league football club based in Glen Eden, New Zealand who compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. The club was established in 1931...
. They also went on to win the National Club Final against Glenora at Eden Park
Eden Park
Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...
in the same year. The match was televised live as it was the curtainraiser to the New Zealand - Australia Rugby League World Cup final which Australia went on to win 25-12 in front of 45,363 spectators. Te Atatu made the Fox Memorial grand final for the first time in 1986 where they went down heavily to the Mt Albert Lions
Mt Albert Lions
The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial....
by 31-4. A few weeks later they had revenge when they beat the Lions by 36-10 to claim their first National Club title at Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.-History:The stadium's grandstands and terraces were built in 1916, and it became the home of rugby league in Auckland from 1921...
. In 1990 they again made the Fox Memorial final but went down to a Tawera Nikau
Tawera Nikau
Tawera Nuieia Nikau is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative forward, he played club football at a number of different clubs in New Zealand, England and Australia during his career, including the Melbourne Storm's victory...
inspired 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...
.
In 2007 Te Atatu won the Roope Rooster which became a title which winning teams defended on their home ground, similar to the Ranfurly Shield
Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
in New Zealand domestic rugby, although the Roope Rooster is played for within the Auckland competition only. Te Atatu defeated Mt Albert and defended it for 3 matches before losing it to the Richmond Bulldogs in the same season.
| Year | Trophy |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Gillette Cup |
| 1970 | Sharman Cup |
| 1973 | Sharman Cup |
| 1974 | Sharman Cup & Gillette Cup |
| 1976 | Sharman Cup |
| 1978 | Sharman Cup |
| 1986 | Rukutai Shield, National Club Championship & Kiwi Shield |
| 1988 | Fox Memorial, National Club Championship & Kiwi Shield |
| 2007 | Roope Rooster |
Notable Past Players
KiwisPeter Brown
Mark Elia
Mark Elia
Mark Wycliffe Elia was a rugby league player who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa.-Playing career:During his long career, Elia played for the Te Atatu Roosters, Kent Invicta, Southend Invicta, St...
Shontayne Hape
Shontayne Hape
Shontayne Hape is a New Zealand-born rugby footballer, a dual-code rugby international. He plays rugby union at centre for London Irish and England. He has also previously played rugby league for the Bradford Bulls in Super League and New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
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...
Ron O'Regan
Ron O'Regan
Ronald Phillip O'Regan is a New Zealand former rugby league player and coach who represented his country between 1983 and 1986. His nephew, Daniel, played for the New Zealand Warriors.-Playing career:...
Dean Orr
Sam Panapa
Sam Panapa
Sam Panapa is a former rugby league player and coach who represented three countries in his career.-Playing career:A Te Atatu Roosters junior in the Auckland Rugby League competitions, Panapa played club football in Britain for Wigan...
Robbie Paul
Robbie Paul
Robert Rawiri 'Robbie' Hunter-Paul is a New Zealand rugby league player. He currently plays for Leigh Centurions in England. He played for the New Zealand national team 27 times. He is the younger brother of Leeds Carnegie player Henry Paul.-Early years:Born in Tokoroa, New Zealand, his junior...
Henry Paul
Henry Paul
Henry Paul , is a dual code rugby international. Paul has previously represented New Zealand in rugby league and England in rugby union XV's and 7's. He currently holds the world record for the most consecutive kicks on the field.Paul's usual position is loose forward/Lock. He can also operate in...
John Smith
Dennis Williams
Dennis Williams
Dennis Arthur Williams is a former New Zealand rugby league international.-Playing career:Williams was a Te Atatu Roosters player in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 1977 he won the Rothville Trophy as player of the year and in 1980 he was the competitions leading goalscorer...
John Wilson
New Zealand Maori
Terry O'Shea
Dennis Williams
Dennis Williams
Dennis Arthur Williams is a former New Zealand rugby league international.-Playing career:Williams was a Te Atatu Roosters player in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 1977 he won the Rothville Trophy as player of the year and in 1980 he was the competitions leading goalscorer...
Junior Kiwis
Taime Tagaloa
New Zealand Under 19s
Terry O'Shea
Mark Elia
Mark Elia
Mark Wycliffe Elia was a rugby league player who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa.-Playing career:During his long career, Elia played for the Te Atatu Roosters, Kent Invicta, Southend Invicta, St...
New Zealand Under 16s
Dean Orr
Benjamen Vai
Auckland/New Zealand Warriors
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...
David Bailey
David Bailey (rugby league)
David Bailey is a former rugby league player. His position of preference was in the Centres although he also played at Five Eighth. He is the son of New Zealand international Roger Bailey.-Early years:...
Patrick Ah Van
Patrick Ah Van
Patrick Ah Van is a professional rugby league player who currently plays in the Super League for the Bradford Bulls...
Shontayne Hape
Shontayne Hape
Shontayne Hape is a New Zealand-born rugby footballer, a dual-code rugby international. He plays rugby union at centre for London Irish and England. He has also previously played rugby league for the Bradford Bulls in Super League and New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League...
Auckland (excluding New Zealand representatives)
David Bailey
David Bailey (rugby league)
David Bailey is a former rugby league player. His position of preference was in the Centres although he also played at Five Eighth. He is the son of New Zealand international Roger Bailey.-Early years:...
Allen Cunningham
Michael Kini
Carl Magatogia
Neville Ramsey
Phil Robards
Iva Ropati
Iva Ropati
Iva Lewis Ropati is a former rugby league international player and High School Principal.-Early years:He grew up playing for the Otahuhu Leopards before moving to the Te Atatu Roosters where he won a Fox Memorial premiership. He later played for the Mangere East Hawks before moving to England...
Dean Orr
Wayne Robertson
Mike Smith
Jim Denyer
1988 Fox Memorial Winning Team
1. Carl Magatogia, 2. Iva Ropati
Iva Ropati
Iva Lewis Ropati is a former rugby league international player and High School Principal.-Early years:He grew up playing for the Otahuhu Leopards before moving to the Te Atatu Roosters where he won a Fox Memorial premiership. He later played for the Mangere East Hawks before moving to England...
, 3. Sam Panapa
Sam Panapa
Sam Panapa is a former rugby league player and coach who represented three countries in his career.-Playing career:A Te Atatu Roosters junior in the Auckland Rugby League competitions, Panapa played club football in Britain for Wigan...
, 4. Grant Raynor, 5. Mark Elia
Mark Elia
Mark Wycliffe Elia was a rugby league player who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa.-Playing career:During his long career, Elia played for the Te Atatu Roosters, Kent Invicta, Southend Invicta, St...
, 6. Ron O'Regan
Ron O'Regan
Ronald Phillip O'Regan is a New Zealand former rugby league player and coach who represented his country between 1983 and 1986. His nephew, Daniel, played for the New Zealand Warriors.-Playing career:...
(player-coach), 7. Carl Taylor, 8. Peter Brown, 9. Peter Ropati
Peter Ropati
Peter Ropati is a New Zealand former rugby league player and commentator who played professionally for Leigh.Ropati is from a large rugby league family that includes brothers Joe, Iva, Tea and Romi.-Playing career:...
, 10. Craig Coyle, 11. Tony Botica, 12. 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...
, 13. Terry O'Shea, 14. Mau Tofa, 15. Graham Huggins, 16. Raymond Hall, 17. Duane Gwadenski