The Auckland Rugby League team is the team which 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. As well as a senior men's team there are also Auckland representative teams throughout the various age groups such as under 15s, under 17s, under 19s and under 21s.

[edit] History

Auckland played its first game on 24 August 1908 when they took on Wellington at Victoria Park, Auckland in the first provincial game of rugby league in New Zealand.^[1]

In 1975 when the French national team was in New Zealand for the World Series, they played a match against Auckland on 13 June and lost 3-9 at Carlaw Park in front of 10,000.^[2]

Auckland has played against several touring teams over the years though once the Auckland Warriors started playing in 1995 it diluted the standard of the side and they have not played against full international sides in recent years.

Auckland famously beat Australia, England and France in the space of 21 days in 1977. A feat which the Warriors commemorated by wearing replica strips in their Round 24 clash with the Manly Sea Eagles on the 26th of August, 2007. Happily, the Warriors won 36-14 in front of a packed Mount Smart Stadium.

Auckland also beat the touring Australian side in 1989 by 26 points to 24 at Carlaw Park.

Auckland participated in the Amco Cup in the 1974-1980 and 1984-1985 seasons.

[edit] Current Auckland Teams

The Auckland Vulcans currently represent Auckland in the NSW Cup and Auckland also participates in the Bartercard Premiership.

[edit] NSW Results

• 1974 Amco Cup - 1 loss (Round 2)
• 1975 Amco Cup - 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss (Semi Finals)
• 1976 Amco Cup - 1 win, 1 loss (Round 2)
• 1977 Amco Cup - 1 loss (Round 1)
• 1978 Amco Cup - 1 win, 1 loss (Quarter Finals)
• 1979 Amco Cup - 3 losses (Group Stage)
• 1980 Tooth Cup - 1 loss (Round 1)
• 1984 National Panasonic Cup - 1 loss (Preliminary Round)
• 1985 National Panasonic Cup - 1 loss (Round 1)
• 2007 NSWRL Premier League (Auckland Lions)
• 2008 New South Wales Cup (Auckland Vulcans)
• 2009 New South Wales Cup (Auckland Vulcans)

[edit] Provincial Results

Auckland are the reigning champions in the Bartercard Premiership, after they defeated Canterbury in the 2008 final.

[edit] Colours

Auckland Lions Premier League players during at match against St George Illawarra in 2007

Auckland representative sides traditionally wear a blue jersey with a white double 'V', in the same style of the New Zealand Kiwis jersey but with blue instead of black, this is still the jersey worn by the Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup team.

[edit] Results

[edit] Record v Touring Teams

1919

• Auckland 8 Australia 32 (Auckland Domain)

1920

• Auckland 24 Great Britain 16

1935

• Auckland 8, Australia 16 (Carlaw Park)

1935

• Auckland 18, Australia 36 (Carlaw Park)

1949

• Auckland 18, Australia 36 (Carlaw Park)

1953

• Auckland 4 Australia 26 (Carlaw Park)

1954

• Auckland 5 Great Britain 4

1955

• Auckland 17 France 15

1960

• Auckland 14 France 5

1961

• Auckland 13 Australia 8 (Carlaw Park)

1962

• Auckland 46 Great Britain 13

1965

• Auckland 2 Australia 18 (Carlaw Park)

1969

• Auckland 15 Australia 14 (Carlaw Park)

1971

• Auckland 15 Australia 14 (Carlaw Park)

1974

• Auckland 11 Great Britain 2

1975

• Auckland 6 Australia 17 (Carlaw Park)
• Auckland 9 France 3 (Carlaw Park)

1977

• Auckland 19 Australia 15 (Carlaw Park)
• Auckland 17 France 0
• Auckland 14 Great Britain 10

1980

• Auckland 7 Australia 21 (Carlaw Park)

1981

• Auckland 20 France 10

1985

• Auckland 10 Australia 50 (Carlaw Park)

1988

• Auckland 30 Great Britain 14

1989

• Auckland 26 Australia 24 (Carlaw Park)

1990

• Auckland 24 Great Britain 13

[edit] Other Matches

1949, Auckland Colts 16 Australia 30 (Carlaw Park)

[edit] References