2004 New Zealand rugby league season

The 2004 New Zealand rugby league season was the 97th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the fifth season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Mt Albert Lions won the Cup by defeating the Marist Richmond Brothers 40–20 in the Grand Final.

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team played Australia at North Harbour Stadium as part of the Tri-Nations tournament. The match was drawn 16-all. New Zealand finished third in the tournament, after failing to win in Great Britain. Earlier in the year New Zealand had lost the ANZAC Test 37–10 in Newcastle. New Zealand were coached by Daniel Anderson and for the Tri-Nations included; Vinnie and Louis Anderson, Roy Asotasi, Jason and Nathan Cayless, Alex Chan, Joe Galuvao, Dene Halatau, Shontayne Hape, David Kidwell, Wairangi Koopu, Ali Lauiti'iti, Thomas Leuluai, Francis Meli, Robbie Paul, Tony Puletua, Paul Rauhihi, Logan Swann, Motu Tony, Clinton Toopi, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana, Lesley Vainikolo, Brent Webb, Paul Whatuira, captain Ruben Wiki, Jamahl Lolesi, Henry Fa'afili and Sonny Bill Williams. Sione Faumuina, Tevita Latu, Stephen Kearney and Jerry Seuseu played in the ANZAC Test but did not tour at the end of the year.


2004-10-16
New Zealand 16–16 Australia
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 19,118 [1]

New Zealand hosted the 2004 Pacific Cup which was played between New Zealand Māori, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tonga and the Cook Islands. New Zealand Māori were coached by Tawera Nikau who was assisted by Terry Hermansson.[2] The team included Aoterangi Herangi, Charlie Herekotukutuku, Herewini Rangi, Sonny Whakarau and Odell Manuel.[3][4] During the season the New Zealand Māori Rugby League was put under New Zealand Rugby League administration after racking up $85,000 worth of debt.[5]

A New Zealand A side hosted New South Wales Country and, four months later, a Jim Beam Cup selection. The team included Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Paul Atkins, David Fisiiahi, Paul Fisiiahi, Misi Taulapapa, Karl Johnson, Corey Lawrie, captain Steve Buckingham, Simon Mannering, Daniel Vasau, Kane Ferris and Lee Tamatoa.[6][7][8][9] They defeated the Country side 36-18 but lost to the Jim Beam Cup side 18–6.[10]

Both teams took on Auckland in warm up matches. Auckland were coached by Stan Martin and included Paul Fisiiahi, Karl Johnson, Misi Taulapapa, Herewini Rangi, Anthony Swann and Paul Atkins.[11] Auckland defeated NSW Country 22-14 but lost to the Jim Beam Cup side 30–28.[10]

A Residents team had competed at the Rugby League World Sevens earlier in the year. Coached by Graeme Norton, that team included Daniel Floyd, Steve Matai, Regan Wigg, Shannon Stowers and Gary Tupou.[12][13]

The Russian team toured the South Island, playing matches against the Tasman Orcas, the West Coast, Southland and Otago.[14][15] They lost to the Tasman Orcas 32–16 in the opening game of the tour.[16]

Sonny Bill Williams was named the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year while referee Glen Black was named referee of the year.[17]

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Bartercard Cup

The 2004 Bartercard Cup was the fifth season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. There were two major team changes before the start of the season. In Auckland, the Manurewa Marlins were replaced by the Counties Manukau Jetz franchise. Some clubs who had previously been aligned with the Marlins became affiliated with the Eastern Tornadoes. Due to the changing boundaries, the Ellerslie club left the Tornadoes and joined with the Otahuhu Leopards to form the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards. Outside of Auckland the Taranaki Wildcats dropped out of the competition after two dreadful seasons. In their place the Waicoa Bay Stallions were formed, representing the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Coastlines districts. The Canterbury Bulls were again the only non-Auckland team to make the playoffs.

The Teams

Seasons Standings

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
Marist Richmond Brothers 16131250030619427
Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards 16120447632115524
Mt Albert Lions 16120452237814424
North Harbour Tigers 169164693749519
Canterbury Bulls 1690756237418818
Wellington Franchise 168174654095617
Counties Manukau Jetz 16718448441715
Eastern Tornadoes 16619378584-20613
Waicoa Bay Stallions 164210380455-7510
Central Falcons 164210376508-13210
Glenora Bears 163310341530-1899
Hibiscus Coast Raiders 163013266503-2376

The Playoffs

Match Winner Loser
Elimination Play-offNorth Harbour Tigers45Canterbury Bulls10
Preliminary SemifinalMt Albert Lions38Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards28
Elimination SemifinalOtahuhu Ellerslie Leopards25North Harbour Tigers6
Qualification SemifinalMarist Richmond Brothers35Mt Albert Lions22
Preliminary FinalMt Albert Lions35Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards22
Grand Final

The final was held at Ericsson Stadium, with the Fox Memorial Grand Final as a curtain raiser.[10]

TeamTotal
Mt Albert Lions40
Marist Richmond Brothers20

Australian competitions

The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 14th out of 15 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Mt Albert Lions won the Fox Memorial trophy, defeating the Mangere East Hawks 14–10 in the final.[10] Mangere East won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). The Ellerslie Eagles won the preseason Roope Rooster trophy.

Wellington

Canterbury

Riccarton won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Other Competitions

The Ngongotaha Chiefs defeated Ngaruawahia in Rotorua to win the Waicoa Bay championship.[30]

References

  1. "Tri-Nations 2004". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  2. Taranaki pair picked for NZ Maori cup team Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 2004
  3. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 330. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2.
  4. Harding, Evan. "The Northern Advocate". Peter Prime's star keeps rising. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  5. Maori rugby league in tatters over $85,000 unpaid bill Sunday Star-Times, 20 June 2004
  6. Pupil rules over teacher The Press, 3 July 2004
  7. 1 2 Bulls in the limelight The Press, 25 June 2004
  8. Forwards honoured The Press, 1 November 2004
  9. NZ A team to play NSW Selection AAP, 6 October 2004
  10. 1 2 3 4 Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.341.
  11. Aucklanders must back up after NSW Country clash New Zealand Herald 29 June 2004
  12. Sevens tournament made for speedsters New Zealand Herald, 23 January 2004
  13. World Sevens Teams rleague.com, 23 January 2004
  14. Russian team a big unknown for Orcas The Nelson Mail, 10 April 2004
  15. Russian league team heads for South Island The Press, 5 July 2003
  16. "Russia lose to New Zealand side". Daily Times. Pakistan. Associated Press. 13 April 2004. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  17. Trophy to Williams; NZRL awards triumph The Press, 4 December 2004
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bartercard Cup round 7 rleague.com, 3 June 2004
  19. Testing time for Bulls defenders The Press, 24 April 2004
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Franchises on notice New Zealand Herald, 16 April 2004
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Round six preview - Bartercard Cup Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 27 May 2004
  22. Bulls punished in semi-final The Press, 30 August 2004
  23. Line-up changes motivate Bulls The Press, 26 August 2006
  24. Ultimate warrior comes back to add quality to his old club Sunday Star-Times, 11 April 2004
  25. Bulls face talented backline The Press, 8 May 2004
  26. Stallions Gallop over Jetz rleague.com, 6 February 2004
  27. Coaching demands mean no rest for over-worked Sixtus The Evening Standard, 25 February 2004
  28. Junior Kiwis leave hole in Wgtn side The Press, 7 August 2004
  29. Va'a switches Bulls' fortunes The Press, 9 August 2004
  30. League clubs ready for battle Waikato Times, 9 April 2005
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