Club Players of the Year

Fox Memorial Premiership

Women's Premiership

Sharman Cup

Individual Awards

Teams of the Year

Pool A Standings

Round 1

Round 2

Freedom Vahaakolo scored his first points for Pt Chevalier in their 24–12 win over Manukau at Moyle Park. The match saw an even first half with the teams level at the break 6-6 before Pt Chevalier opened up an 18–6 lead and held on. The Māngere East - Pakuranga match was the live streamed match of the round and saw the home team, Māngere, winning 30–10. It was a tight first half with just 2 tries scored before it opened up in the second with Māngere scoring 5 tries and Pakuranga 2, including 1 to Counties-Manukau U20 representative Stanley Hingano.^[8]

Round 3

Pt Chevalier trounced Māngere East 90–4 at Walker Park, though both teams had already progressed to the Fox Memorial competition. At Ti Rakau Park, Manukau won easily 50–16 with Omni Mesake scoring 4 tries for the winners.

Round 1

The match between Bay Roskill and Richmond at Blockhouse Bay Reserve was filmed by Petes Filming. The home side, Bay Roskill won 30-28 holding off a late Richmond comeback.^[13]

Round 2

Bay Roskill continued their good early season form, beating Mt Albert 32–16 with former Warrior Ben Henry, who had now been playing for Bay Roskill for several seasons scoring one of their 6 tries. Josh Tanielu kicked 4 goals to add to his 2 tries. Richmond beat Hibiscus Coast 24–18 in a tight match at Grey Lynn Park with Connor Hohepa converting all 4 of their tries. For Hibiscus Coast former St Helens player, Nathan Ashe scored one of their 3 tries.

Round 3

Richmond thrashed Mt Albert at Fowlds Park 46–0 to comfortably secure their place in the Fox competition after jumping out to a 26–0 lead in as many minutes. If Hibiscus Coast had been able to defeat Bay Roskill then Mt Albert would have found themselves competing for the Sharman Cup but Bay Roskill overturned a 6–10 halftime deficit to win 32–16 to record their third straight win and confine Hibiscus Coast to the Sharman Cup competition for 2023.

Round 1

Round 2

In Glenora's 34–12 win over Northcote at the Birkenhead War Memorial, Kadiyae Ioka scored a double and kicked 3 goals, while for Northcote Kevin Locke converted Northcote's 2 tries. In Marist's 2 point win over Papakura, Emmanuel Cerei crucially had his kicking boots on, converting all 4 of Marist's tries.

Round 3

Marist went out to a 24–6 halftime lead over Glenora before the match evened up in the second half, while Northcote took an early 4–0 lead but were ultimately over powered by Papakura who went ahead 28–16 before Albert Talakai scored a consolation try for the visitors.

Round 1

Howick v Te Atatū at Paparoa Park.

Ōtāhuhu were fielding a similar team to the previous season and beat Ōtara relatively comfortably 34–16 with William Stowers converting 5 of their 6 tries. Former Widnes Vikings player and son of James Leuluai, Macgraff Leuluai was playing for Ōtara once more. Howick led from the start against Te Atatū who hung around, playing into a strong easterly wind to only trail 20–10 at halftime before the teams traded tries through the second half. Former Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors, and London Broncos player Api Pewhairangi was playing for Te Atatū for the 3rd consecutive season and he scored a try and kicked 3 goals. Brooklyn Harris was on debut for Howick and looked sharp throughout, scoring a try in a man of the match performance.^[26]

Round 2

Jamel Hunt and Connor Taurua-Purcell of Ōtāhuhu.

Te Atatū jumped out to a 16–4 lead against Ōtāhuhu before letting in 3 tries before halftime with repeat sets and disputed refereeing calls. The teams traded tries in the second half with Te Atatū having chances to level when the score was 32-28 after crafty young hooker Khalan Clyde crossed twice from dummy half. An Ōtāhuhu break from their own half led to a 76th minute try to seal their 38–28 win. At Ngati Ōtara Park the home side started strongly, scoring 3 tries and taking a 16–6 lead into halftime before rolling on to a 28–10 win. Ben Plummer reporting in the Times Online reported "fifteen minutes in, and with momentum now very much in the home side's favour, the Scorps didn't waste their opportunity to post first points, going up 6-0. Otara's ... remained disciplined in defence, ran hard and maintained a high completion rate for such wet conditions. This saw them get a roll on, stacking on two further tries before the Hornets would eventually cross late in the half through reserve Nukurua Ngere. With the score at 16-6, Howick gave away a penalty on the hooter, which in turn resulted in a sin bin... The penalty goal was subsequently kicked by Otara, leading into the sheds at half time with an 18-6 scoreline... Once again though, Otara weathered the storm with their united defensive line and swung the momentum back in their favor just as Howick were returned to the full complement of 13 players. The Scorps didn't look back from here and they would go on to extend their lead, scoring two further converted tries, taking the score to 28-6".

Round 3

Te Atatū v Ōtara at Jack Colvin Park.

With Ōtāhuhu the only team certain to have already secured qualification going into round 3 for the Fox, both games had a lot riding on them. Te Atatū needed a 10-point win over Ōtara to guarantee a place but after securing a 26–4 halftime lead they were able to control their fate going on to win 48–4. Fine Vakautakakala was outstanding for Te Atatū, scoring 2 tries and carrying strongly throughout the game, while Paterika Vaivai made his season debut for Te Atatū after previously being unavailable due to his playing for the New Zealand Warriors New South Wales Cup side in previous weekends. The Ōtara outside backs looked threatening on attack but struggled to secure much ball. The match was live streamed with Petes Filming.^[31] Despite losing at home, Howick were able to move through due to Ōtara's heavy loss.

Standings

Round 1

Te Atatū v Richmond: (Clockwise) Soakai Taufa being tackled, Jeremiah Poutu fielding a kick, Benjamin Kosi out of dummy half, and Api Pewhairangi attempting to score.

Pt Chevalier and Glenora played in the first televised Wednesday night match on 3 May at North Harbour Stadium. Pt Chevalier won in wet conditions by 26 points to 12 to take home the Stormont Shield (competed for by the finalists from the previous year). Patrick Sipley scored their first try after 15 minutes before Tane Rapira added a second 4 minutes later. They scored 3 more in the second half including a 50-metre effort from Freedom Vahaakolo and a 100-metre run from Ollie Tuimavave. Kevin Locke transferred from Northcote during the week and debuted for Glenora, scoring a try and kicking 2 goals. The first round Saturday matches were played in wet conditions across Auckland. Manukau overturned an 18–0 deficit at Blockhouse Bay Reserve to triumph 24–22 over Bay Roskill with 4 second half tries. Ōtāhuhu had a comfortable 6 try to 1 win over Mt Albert at Bert Henham Park. Ioritana Leifa scored a double and Antonio Adams converted 4 tries. Te Atatū lost to Richmond in an error riddled performance with Richmond scoring two tries immediately after halftime to Carlos Henry and Connor Hohepa, enabling them to stretch out to a comfortable lead which they held. Hohepa also kicked 4 form 4. Papakura continued their excellent early season form, moving out to a 26–16 lead before Marist scored a consolation try to Doux Kauhiva at Prince Edward Park. Howick had a comfortable 46–4 win over Māngere East at Paparoa Park with a short piece written about the Howick club's fortunes in the Times Online by Ben Plummer. Lonnie Papani and Rahs Tuivai-Lopa both scored a double for the winners with Reuben Tolovae converting 7 of their 8 tries.^[35]

Round 2

Te Atatū v Manukau

In the televised match Richmond recorded a second consecutive 20–0 shutout, this time of Ōtāhuhu, with Soakai Taufa securing a double in the wet conditions. Marist shared the try scoring around with 7 different try scorers, with Emmanuel Cerei converting 6 of them. Māngere East had opened the scoring in the third minute but were dominated after that and could only manage a late first half try and consolation try near the end of the match. Papakura at Prince Edward Park pushed Pt Chevalier, who have won 36 consecutive first grade matches all the way, and in fact took the lead midway through the second half before a Presley Seumanu try levelled the scores at 20–20. Francis Leger's conversion gave the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish. At Jack Colvin Park a Roosters side with several injuries and lineup changes, scored a gutsy 12–6 win over Manukau. Roosters winger Paorostarr Manning scored first after some slick handling enabled him to dive over in the scoreboard corner, before Dawson Mele replied for the visitors after some nice hole running to make it 4–4 at the break. A 58th-minute penalty to Karekake Holamotu put the Magpies up 6–4, but Manning scored his second try in the corner after some nice build up play to put Te Atatū back in front. Then with 8 minutes to go hooker Khalan Clyde dived over from dummy half to all but secure the win. Bay Roskill scored a very rare victory over Glenora, holding on to win 32–30 with Justus Leaoseve scoring a hat trick for the winners. The Vikings led from the 6th minute and were up 32–18 with ten minute to go before Glenora scored two late tries. Kevin Locke kicked 5 from 5 for the Bears.

Round 3

Māngere East on attack early in the match.

Samuel Lulia scoring Māngere East's first try.

Christian Sifakula has charged down Api Pewhairangi's kick and is about to score.

Ihaka Brown sliding through a gap to score for Te Atatū.

Delaney Chaney Puata about to gather a kick and score in the corner.

Robin Herbert has received a pass from Khalan Clyde and is off to score the Roosters final try.

In the televised Wednesday night match Bay Roskill opened the scoring in the 4th minute and had much of the ball and territory but Mt Albert replied with three converted tries between the 14th and 26th minutes to take an 18–4 lead. Bay Roskill scored on the stroke of halftime and twice more early in the second half to Ariki Honetana-Paea. Mackenzie Kata was then sent off for Bay Roskill after headbutting Trent Schaumkel midway through the second half with winger Josh Colavanua scoring twice soon after for Mt Albert to push the game beyond doubt. The Saturday matches were marked by atrocious weather with 50 knot Westerly winds and driving rain throughout Auckland. At Walter Massey Park the home side, Māngere East struggled early and despite playing with the wind found themselves down 16–0 in as many minutes after Fine Vakautakakala, Delaney Chaney-Puata, and Jacob Rutherford scored for the Roosters and Api Pewhairangi converted two of them in his return. Māngere then began tackling and running with more gusto and scored twice, the second a brilliant try to Christian Sifakula who charged down a kick and ran 30 metres to slide over, with Samuel Lulia converting from out wide to make it 16–12 at the break. Te Atatū used the conditions to play the game in Māngere's half and gradually wore them down, scoring 4 tries including a brilliant effort from Chaney-Puata who chased an angled grubber kick and collected it as he dived full length into the in goal, and on full time live wire hooker Khalan Clyde cut through from halfway and put Robin Herbert in under the posts. At Ōtāhuhu it was not a day for the home team's goal kicker, with 7 unconverted tries including doubles to Tonga Mikaele and Fiohiva Fainga'a. It didn't matter however with Marist only managing 2 converted tries. Richmond ground out a 12–6 win at Grey Lynn Park with Siave Togoiu's 59th minute try proving the difference. At Walker Park, Pt Chevalier held on to the Roope Rooster trophy and extended their unbeaten stretch in first grade games. Lorenzo Filimaua scored a simple try in the 18th minute after Ollie Tuimavave spun out of a tackle and threw a basketball style pass to him. Howick scored in the 27th minute to returning NZ Warriors NSW Cup player Tahi Baggaley. Pt Chevalier then scored 2 unconverted tries before Howick pulled it back to 16–12 in the 62nd minute but the Pirates iced the game 8 minutes later with a try to Brody Tamarua. At Moyle Park, Glenora won in the dying stages with a 77th-minute try to Kadiyae Ioka after the score had been locked at 10–10 from the 50-minute mark.

Round 4

Chaz Brown launches for the try line but ultimately losing it in the collision

Papakura on attack.

On Wednesday night Manukau and Māngere East fought out a scrappy match with Manukau ultimately showing their class by winning 32–8 with a 6 try to 2 performance. In the match of the round Pt Chevalier took on Ōtāhuhu at Bert Henham Park and were able to continue their remarkable winning streak with a 14–6 victory. Dylan Tavita and Matthew Whyte scored for the winners, while Makaia Tafua scored Ōtāhuhu's only try late in the match. Richmond once again proved far too strong for Mt Albert with Jeremiah Poutu scoring a double and Connor Hohepa converting all of their six tries. Nestley Daniels scored twice for Marist in their home win over Bay Roskill by 24 to 12. Bay Roskill crossed for 3 unconverted tries, 2 to Josh Tanielu. In a tight battle at Harold Moody Park, it took 22 minutes for the first try to be registered with Heemi Davis crossing in the right corner. Glenora had come close to scoring on several other occasions but the try sparked the Papakura attack to life and they scored twice before halftime to take a 10–4 lead into the break. A converted try to Edwin Amituanai early in the second half leveled things up at 10-10 before the ever lively Joseph Price pounced on an error by Kevin Locke in the in goal after Reece Joyce had placed a perfectly weighted kick into the in goal to put the Sea Eagles back up by six following William Pompey's conversion. Papakura had a player sin-binned for a play the ball tangle and Glenora scored in the following set with a try by Israel Levi in the 62nd minute. The conversion from out-wide missed and the game moved up and down the field several times over the final quarter but Papakura hung on for the 2 point win. At Paparoa Park the local side overcame Te Atatū 25 points to 12. The Roosters led 12–6 at the break with 2 converted tries to 1 before the Hornets came home strong.

Round 5

Hikoirangi Paki of Te Atatū making a tackle

In the Wednesday night match Papakura scored an upset with a well deserved 25–16 win over Howick. The match was live on Sky Sports and streamed on YouTube.^[62] Lewis Soosemea scored a double as they pulled out to a 25–12 lead which they held on to. Te Atatū Roosters had another gutsy win over the much larger Ōtāhuhu Leopards at Jack Colvin Park. Paterika Vaivai was making his second appearance for Te Atatū for the season, making a comeback from injury for the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup side who he had played 7 matches for thus far. Geronimo Doyle who had also been playing for the NSW Cup side was at fullback for Ōtāhuhu. For Te Atatū, Hikoirangi Paki scored a double including a spectacular leap to take a Kahil Johnson bomb early in the match. Robin Herbert scored an unusual try with the Roosters hooking a tight head on a halfway scrum with Herbert able to scoot away and score untouched.

Herbert scoring in the corner after a scrum win against the feed caught the Leopards out.

The Roosters sealed the match late with prop Fine Taukautakala bursting through a hole on halfway and he used a combination of pace, footwork and strength to make it to the try line. Fiohiva Fainga'a scored a double for the visitors, including a spectacular burst down the right hand sideline leaving would be tacklers in his wake. It was more impressive given he had gone down with an ankle injury minutes earlier. The Leopards will lament a couple of blown tries late, especially Sione Feao who went over the dead ball line in an effort to score closer to the posts. At Murray Halberg Park the Marist Saints scored 5 tries as did the Glenora Bears but the difference was the boot of Emmanuel Cerei who converted all 5 of Marist's tries. Doux Kauhiva crossed twice for the Saints. Glenora had opened the scoring early with a try to the experienced Phillip Kingi. In a battle for the Carol Redman Cup, Richmond continued on their winning ways, avenging a grading round loss to the same opponents, with a 40–26 win. Jeremiah Poutu scored in each half and Beau Cordtz converted 6 of their 7 tries. For Bay Roskill the game was over midway through the second half when Richmond blew the score out to 34–12 but they came home strongly with tries to Nixon Leaso, Joel Leaoseve, and then Zion Tanielu close to full time. Pt Chevalier trailed early to Manukau but then blew them off the field with 9 tries to 9 different players. They were missing the services of regular kicker Fancis Ledger and only converted 4 of their 9 tries. With the win Pt Chevalier joined Richmond as the two only unbeaten sides with 5 from 5 and a clear 4 point lead over their nearest rivals.

Round 6

Kevin Locke shaping to kick with Chaz Brown and Anthony Goulton outside. Left to right on defense are Api Pewhairangi, Semisini Lopeti, and Paterika Vaivai.

Ihaka Taka-Brown taking the ball into Siuatonga Likiliki. Glenora veterans Phillip Kingi and Zac Tippins are covering from the left.

In the televised match on Wednesday night from North Harbour Stadium the Richmond (5-0) and Manukau (2-3) sides played out a tight 22-20 match.^[68] The Magpies started strongly and led 12–0 after 20 minutes with a try to Riccardo Taunga Arama in the 9th minute and then ten minutes later Samuel Nati scored a clever individual try, grubbering through the line for himself. Richmond struck back just before halftime with a try in the left corner to Jeremiah Poutu after a flick offload from Carlos Henry. Early in the second half Nicholas Halalilo, who was returning from the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup team, where he had played 9 matches, scored to put the Bulldogs ahead. Immediately after Ropati Tupa'i scored a clever try from a last tackle chip. Manukau replied with two tries on the right edge to regain the lead with Samuel Nati orchestrating their attack. Crucially he was unable to convert either of the tries. In the 75th minute Richmond converted a sustained attack into a try to Isaiah Sofa and Beau Cordtz's calm conversion gave them the win. The match between Te Atatū and Glenora for the Dennis Williams Cup saw the visiting Glenora side retain the trophy with a close 16–12 win. They controlled the first half and scored twice, to former Rooster, Anthony Goulton, and Kevin Locke, with Locke converting both. The second half saw Te Atatū score immediately after the break from a spilled bomb, with Semisini Lopeti getting over. The Roosters spent a huge amount of time in the Bears half but were unable to score with last tackle plays falling flat several times. Then against the run of play the Bears scored in the 69th minute after securing the ball from a contested bomb on the Te Atatū 20 metre line, and from the ensuing movement Siuatonga Likiliki slid over in the right corner.

Paterika Vaivai carrying the ball into the Glenora defense with Zac Tippins looming.

In the 76th minute Robin Herbert broke through on halfway and kicked ahead, and keeping the ball on the toe scored a brilliant individual try to the right of the posts to give the Roosters a chance but they were unable to create anything with the full time whistle going shortly after. Ōtāhuhu crashed to their third straight defeat, going down at home to Howick who got their noses in front in the second half after the Leopards led 6–4 at halftime. Jacob Paulo received his blazer for making his 50th first grade appearance for the Leopards. Papakura controlled the match at Prince Edward Park and raced out to a 28–4 lead after 27 minutes before the Vikings worked their way back into the game but never really threatened to win. For Papakura, Stedman Lefau scored a double and William (Tuhi) Pompey kicked 5 goals. At Fowlds Park in Mt Albert the visiting Marist Saints dominated the first half and took a 26–6 lead into halftime. Takaia Williams scored twice for the Saints, with Emmanuel Cerei kicking 4 goals to move to 97 points for the season. At Walker Park the Pt Chevalier Pirates made short work of Māngere East, winning 80–6 to move top of the table on point percentage.

Week 1

Connor Taurua-Purcell being met by a wall of Sea Eagles defenders early in the match.

Mavae Manuika scoring in the 42nd minute.

Viliami Lolohea attacking for the Sea Eagles in the second half.

William Stowers scoring late to narrow the score to 10-12.

Richmond and Point Chevalier both secured byes in week 1 for finishing first and second respectively. At Paparoa Park the home side nearly suffered a shock upset when Marist took the lead with 20 minutes to go after a try to Johnathan Falelua-Malio which was converted by Doux Kauhiva, giving them a 10–8 lead. Nine minutes from time however Howick crossed to take the lead and then secured the win with another try in the dying stages. The win meant they progressed to the semi finals to play Pt Chevalier. At Prince Edward Park the Papakura Sea Eagles were taking on fellow South Auckland team, the in form Ōtāhuhu Leopards. The Leopards had several early sets near the Papakura try line but were unable to cross in the face of sturdy defence. Somewhat against the run of play the Sea Eagles scored from one of their first real attacking sets in the 20th minute with Jamie Henry literally walking across untouched in the left hand corner after a mid field offload caught the Leopards defence short. William (Tuhi) Pompey kicked a beautiful touchline conversion to give the home team a 6–0 lead. Then from a kick reception error Viliami Tahitua who was having a storming game gathered in the ball and wrong footed the last defender to cross over. Pompey again kicked a nice goal from wide out on the right for a 12–0 halftime lead. Ōtāhuhu came out focussed after the break and scored almost immediately with Mavae Manuika diving over in the right corner. The conversion from Geronimo Doyle wide out crucially missed. Despite getting on attack several times the Leopards were unable to breach the defence until eventually William Stowers was put in and ran around under the posts. Doyle's quick conversion narrowed the score to 10–12 but from the kickoff hard working prop, Connor Tairua-Purcell spilled the ball in the first tackle and with the Sea Eagles launching a counterattack a penalty was awarded for an early tackle. Pompey kicked the penalty from a handy position and the Sea Eagles hung on for the final few minutes finishing on attack when the final hooter went. They progressed to play Richmond at Grey Lynn Park in the other semi final.

Semi Finals

Freedom Vahaakolo races away to score the Pirates first try after Howick turned the ball over on attack.

Jacob Auloa crashes over to give the Pirates a 20–4 lead.

Levi Helleur-Atiga catches a kick from Francis Leger before stepping the fullback to score.

Richmond trapping Lewis Soosemea in his in goal.

Beau Cordtz kicks the penalty which gave Richmond an 8–6 lead.

Papakura kick to the corner in the dying stages with the ball spilling dead.

Pt Chevalier thrashed Howick 58–10 at Walker Park under still conditions and rare blue winter skies in 2023. Howick had several attacking chances in the first 15 minutes but while attacking in the Pirates half very early in the match the ball was spilled into the lap of Freedom Vahaakolo who ran 60 metres to outpace the chasers to score behind the posts. A short time later they crossed again with Presley Seumanu taking an offload near the line by Levi Helleur-Atiga who constantly looked dangerous with the ball. Howick got on the board after a left edge attack to make it 12–4. From this point on it was a Pt Chevalier avalanche with Ollie Tuimavave cruising in wide on the left before Jacob Auloa crashed over by the posts. Then from the next set Levi Helleur-Atiga latched on to a Francis Leger kick before gliding past Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea to score. Another try followed on halftime to Siapo Pasene to blow the score out to 30–4 making the contest all but done by the break. The Pirates didn't let off in the second half, scoring another 6 tries to complete the rout and book their spot in the Fox final. In the other semi final between Richmond and Papakura at Grey Lynn Park a huge crowd of over 600 was in attendance. Richmond captain Casey Tomain was celebrating his 50th match for the side. In contrast to the other semi final just two tries were scored in a huge defensive battle with the sides eventually only separated by Beau Cordtz's 65th-minute penalty. The Sea Eagles went in first in the 9th minute with an unconverted try to Lewis Soosemea. Tuhi Pompey missed the conversion but kicked a penalty in the 17th minute from in front 30 metres out. The Bulldogs leveled things up with a try to Navajo Doyle who also converted it in the 30th minute. The second half was a seesaw battle, though the Bulldogs had the better of the field position and attacked the Sea Eagles line several times to no avail. Both sides threw their bodies into contact repeatedly with some huge collisions as things grew more desperate with Jeremiah Poutu in particular carrying the ball back strongly from kicks on several occasions. James Gavet was forced from the field with less than ten minutes remaining with a shoulder injury after a hit up into a Papakura wall of defenders. Cordtz had a chance to kick a penalty for Richmond midway through the second half but from a handy position it slid outside the left upright. He had another chance 5 minutes later from right in front 14 metres out which he was successful with this time. The Sea Eagles attacked the Bulldogs line multiple times over the remaining 15 minutes but their barge over efforts from dummy half were resisted while when they went wide the plays were stifled by a desperate Bulldogs defence. The Sea Eagles last chance came with a chip bomb which came down on the Bulldogs try line but was spilled over the dead ball line with multiple players competing for the ball. The home side then worked the ball to halfway from the 20m restart when the full time hooter went meaning Richmond had made their first Fox final since 2001.

Fox Memorial Grand Final

Dylan Tavita play-making on the left edge during the first half

Jacob Auloa trying to force his way over.

Presley Seumanu carrying the ball up and over the halfway line.

Francis Leger runs downfield after taking a spilled pass by Jeremiah Schuster.

Navajo Doyle scores the go ahead try for the Bulldogs.

Leger looking to offload to Helleur-Atiga in the last few minutes.

Herman Retzlaff with one of his 15 carries.

Pt Chevalier celebrate at the final whistle.

Point Chevalier won the grand final 24–16 in a tense encounter before a 2,000 strong crowd. Around 1,500 Richmond supporters packed in to see their side play in first grand final since 2001, and seeking to win for the first time since 1980. The match was streamed on YouTube and broadcast live on Sky Sports.^[118] Siapo Pasene nearly scored at the end of Pt Chevalier's first set but had received the ball from a forward pass before diving over in the left corner. Top try scorer in Auckland senior league this year, Dylan Tavita eventually opened the scoring after powering his way over from dummy half in the 10th minute. Beau Cordtz replied for Richmond in the 18th minute doing a disappearing act near the line and slipping through a hole after bumping off Amaramo Solomona and evading Ollie Tuimavave.^[119] Tavita scored his second try in the 33rd minute after spilling out of James Gavet's tackle and planting the ball over the line under the crossbar as referee Parkinson ruled that he was not held. Richmond responded once more after Jeremiah Poutu fielded a kick on his 20m line and raced 65 metres to put the Bulldogs in great attacking position. They went wide to the right two tackles later and Mose Newton crossed in the right corner with 3 minutes until halftime. Beau Cordtz's conversion missed leaving Pt Chevalier with a 12–10 lead at the break with the stats showing both teams had 50% possession with the Bulldogs completing at 94% to the Pirates 75%. It took until the 20th minute of the second half for the next points after substitute Navajo Doyle went from dummy half near the try line and shoved his way over in a three-man tackle. Beau Cordtz who was having a big game converted to give them a 4-point lead. From this point on the Pirates experience came through and they began to dominate field position and possession. In the 62nd minute Levi Helleur-Atiga and James Gavet were both sin-binned after a scuffle which saw Gavet slap Helleur-Atiga who retaliated with a punch. A short time later the Pirates pressure on the try line saw Freedom Vahaakolo go through two would be tacklers to level the scores 16–16 in the 65th minute.^[120] Leger's conversion from wide out went over to put the Pirates back in front. Pt Chevalier all but sealed it with a bizarre try to Zensei Inu in the 67th minute after Patrick Sipley played the ball on the try line and the defence paused while Inu simply picked it up and placed it over the line virtually uncontested. Sipley had a huge game carrying the ball 17 times while propping partners Harry Durbin (13 carries), and Herman Retzlaff (15 carries) also powered the team forward throughout the match. The Pirates controlled the last 5 minutes pinning the Bulldogs in their half and having two failed drop goal attempts by Tavita before the siren sounded to hand them another title. Ollie Tuimavave was awarded the Doug Price Man of the Match.

Week 1

Mt Albert and Te Atatū had byes for finishing 7th and 8th respectively. Glenora demolished Māngere East 90–8 at Harold Moody Park with Johnny Fine scoring 4 tries for the home team, while Kadiyae Ioka scored twice and kicked 11 goals for 30 points. The Hawks finished a season to forget with yet another trouncing meaning they had won just once in 15 games. Meanwhile, in Māngere itself, the Manukau Magpies comfortably beat the Bay Roskill Vikings 44–18. Carlos Seuseu opened the scoring for the visitors at Moyle Park but it was then one way traffic with Manukau scoring 8 tries, including 4 to Kahn Munokoa before the break to take a 40–6 lead before Bay Roskill tightened up in the second half and Manukau eased off. Koronato John scored his second close to full time to cap the win. Manukau progressed to play away at Mt Albert, while Glenora would travel across West Auckland to Te Atatū to take on the Roosters in the other plate semi final.

Semi finals

Te Atatū were close to full strength for the first time in many weeks and dispatched Glenora easily by 32 points to 6. It was their first win over their West Auckland rivals for well over a decade. Paterika Vaivai made his first appearance since the match with Marist in round 7 and he opened the scoring with a 7th minute try. Api Pewhairangi also scored a first half try for the Roosters and kicked 3 conversions. Glenora's only points came from a try on the left edge to Zion Ioka in the 51st minute, converted by Kevin Locke.^[124] Elusive fullback, Robin Herbert, scored a double to bring up 7 tries for the season while Bostyn Hakaraia scored a second half try and kicked a goal. In the other semi final Mt Albert struggled to overcome Manukau at Fowlds Park with the scores locked at 0–0 at halftime and 4–4 with 20 minutes to go before the home side eased away with tries to Corey Seator and Trent Schaumkel.

Plate Grand Final