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. 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.
Under the new zone scheme introduced in 2010 the Auckland team represents the North Shore, East Auckland and West Auckland, while South Auckland is represented by the Manukau rugby league team">Manukau Magpies">Manukau rugby league team. The zone team is named the Akarana Falcons.
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. The Auckland Rugby League had not yet been formed so the side was not an official one as such.Auckland had played against several touring teams over the years, though once the Auckland Warriors started playing in the 1995 ARL Premiership it diluted the standard of the representative side, and they have not played against full international sides in recent years. Auckland 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 clash with Australian club Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in round 24 of the 2007 NRL season on 26 August 2007. The Warriors won 36–14 in front of a packed Mount Smart Stadium.
Current Auckland teams
The Akarana Falcons participate in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. This team represents the Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Richmond Bulldogs, Wellington Warriors">Wellington rugby league team">Wellington Warriors, Ponsonby Ponies, Glenora Bears, Ellerslie Eagles, Mt Albert Lions, Te Atatu Roosters, Bay Roskill Vikings, Northcote Tigers, Marist Saints, East Coast Bays Barracudas, Pt Chevalier Pirates, Waitemata Seagulls, Glenfield Greyhounds, New Lynn Stags and the Waiheke Rams.Colours
Auckland representative sides traditionally wear a blue jersey with a white double 'V', in the same style of the New Zealand national rugby league team jersey but with blue instead of black, this is still the jersey worn by the Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup team.Record versus overseas touring teams
Auckland has a good record against touring international teams, recording multiple wins over Australia, Great Britain/England and France. Auckland holds the distinction of being the last club or provincial side anywhere to defeat Australia when they defeated them 26–24 at Carlaw Park on the Aussie's 1989 Tour of New Zealand.1910 Auckland v Great Britain
The team for the match was: Alf Chorley; L Nolan, George Smith, Albert Asher; Alfred Jackson, Ronald MacDonald; Len Farrant; Fred Jackson, Charles Dunning, Jim Griffin, Alex Stanaway, Harry Fricker, and George Seagar. The emergency players named were Sid Riley, Arthur Carlaw; Joe Bennett, Jim Rukutai, and Bob Mitchell.1912 Auckland v New South Wales
Auckland won their first victory over an ‘international’ side when they defeated New South Wales by 10 points to 3. The game was marred by several acts of violence with the visiting side said to be at fault repeatedly. Near the end of the match Sid Deane was sent off for punching Billy Curran.1912 Auckland v New South Wales
New South Wales reversed their earlier loss with a comprehensive win over a disappointing Auckland effort. Charles Dunning and Bob Mitchell who had both been named to play originally were forced to withdraw due to illness and were replaced by Harry Fricker and Jim Griffin.1922 Auckland v Australian Universities
The Australian University team was made up of players from Sydney University and Brisbane University.1922 Auckland v New South Wales
Auckland played the touring New South Wales team in front of 20,000 spectators at the Auckland Domain but was heavily defeated with Australian legend Frank Burge running in 5 tries.1922 Auckland Province v New South Wales
A few days after the match with New South Wales an Auckland provincial team took on the touring side. The Auckland team was largely made up of Auckland club players but also included Bill Te Whata who had played in Australia for the New Zealand Māori side, and a handful of others from the Waikato including former Auckland player Tim Peckham. They lost a tight match by 21 points to 20. Frank Burge was ordered off for disputing Wilson's try late in the match.1924 Auckland v Australian Universities
had to come on the replace George Davidson after he collided badly with teammate Clarrie Polson when they were both going after the ball. Polson received a bad cut over his eye and he also later had to retire and was replaced by Billy Ghent.1924 Auckland v England
There is film footage of the match taken by Tarr Film and archived on the New Zealand Archive of Film, television and Sound Ngā Taonga website. In scoring on halftime Ben Davidson was knocked out. At the start of the second half Auckland attempted to replace him with Lou Brown who ran out on to the field. However the England captain when seeing this objected as replacements were forbidden in the second half of rugby league matches at this time. Auckland were forced to play with 12 players for a time until Davidson recovered well enough to return to the field.1928 Auckland Province v England
The entire Auckland Provincial team were Auckland club players aside from Joe Menzies.1935 Auckland v Australia (Australian tour match)
legend Dave Brown who was renowned for his point scoring feats and was referred to as "the Bradman of league" scored 10 of Australia's 16 points. This was the first match Australia had played in New Zealand since their 1919 tour.1936 Auckland v England
The Auckland team had been selected by Bert Avery and coached by Bert Cooke. Auckland competed well against a very strong England team before going down 22–16. Walter Cuthbert donated a trophy for the best Auckland player which was selected by an Mr. R.F. Anderton, the touring teams co-manager as being Steve Watene. It was presented to him at the Auckland annual prize giving in November.1946
- Auckland 18, Australia 36
- Auckland 18, Australia 36
- Auckland 4 Australia 26
- Auckland 5 Great Britain 4
- Auckland 17 France 15
- Auckland 14 France 5
- Auckland 13 Australia 8
- Auckland 46 Great Britain 13
- Auckland 2 Australia 18
- Auckland 15 Australia 14
- Auckland 15 Australia 14
- Auckland 11 Great Britain 2
- Auckland 6 Australia 17
- Auckland 9 France 3
- Auckland 19 Australia 15
- Auckland 17 France 0
- Auckland 14 Great Britain 10
- Auckland 7 Australia 21
- Auckland 20 France 10
- Auckland 10 Australia 50
- Auckland 30 Great Britain 14
- Auckland 26 Australia 24
- Auckland 24 Great Britain 13
New South Wales results
- 1974 Amco Cup – 1 loss
- 1975 Amco Cup – 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss
- 1976 Amco Cup – 1 win, 1 loss
- 1977 Amco Cup – 1 loss
- 1978 Amco Cup – 1 win, 1 loss
- 1979 Amco Cup – 3 losses
- 1980 Tooth Cup – 1 loss
- 1984 [National Panasonic Cup] – 1 loss
- 1985 National Panasonic Cup – 1 loss
- 2007 NSWRL Premier League
- 2008 New South Wales Cup
- 2009 New South Wales Cup
- 2010 New South Wales Cup
- 2011 New South Wales Cup
Other matches
1949, Auckland Colts 16 Australia 301984, Auckland 16 Great Britain 14