Marist Saints


The Marist Saints is a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. They currently compete in the top grade in Auckland Rugby League, the Fox Memorial Premiership.

History

Founded in 1919, the Marist club first won the Fox Memorial in 1924. They originally played at the Auckland Domain before moving to their current home, in Murray Halberg Park. Their lower grade teams now also play matches at Margaret Griffen Park in Lynfield.

First season and match

In 1919 Marist entered teams in first grade and also in the second grade. The second grade side defaulted their first match and then withdrew from the competition.
On 3 May 1919, Marist played in their first ever match. It was played at Victoria Park on the #2 field against Newton Rangers. There were 4,500 spectators to watch the match which was played simultaneously with the Maritime v City Rovers match on the adjacent field. Marist lost 28–3 with Petterson scoring their only points through a try. They struggled throughout the season losing all their first grade matches.

First win in first grade competition (Roope Rooster) 1919

They had their first win in a first grade competition in the first round of the Roope Rooster competition on 26 July 1919. They defeated North Shore Albions on Auckland Domain by 17 points to 3.

First win in first grade championship (1920)

In 1920 Marist entered teams in the first grade, second grade, and fourth grade. Their second grade side withdrew after 11 rounds, while their fourth grade side withdrew after 2 rounds. Their first grade team drew in round 2 against Newton Rangers but then had their first ever win in the first grade championship when they defeated Grafton Athletic 15–3 at Victoria Park. Bill Stormont and Billy Ghent scored tries and A. Eustace kicked a goal. They ultimately won 7 games along with their draw and finished third in the seven team competition.

2000 to 2005

Between 2000 and 2005 the Saints were involved in the Bartercard Cup alongside the Richmond Bulldogs as the Marist Richmond Brothers.

Notable players

New Zealand representatives

Kiwi representative number in square brackets:

Other New Zealand rugby league representatives

Includes players who played for New Zealand but not while at the Marist club
Notable former juniors include Roy Asotasi, Sonny Bill Williams, Jerome Ropati, Motu Tony, Francis Meli, Gene Ngamu, Rudi Wulf, Ben Waerea-Fisher, Siuatonga Likiliki, Manu Ma'u, Bill Tupou, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa, David Fusitua, Mason Lino, Tuimoala Lolohea, Delouise Hoeter, Adam Tuimavave Gerrard, Lamar Liolevave, Anthony Swann, Des Barchard.

Other notable players

Johnny Simpson played for Marist seniors from 1941 to 1944 and was a junior there. He switched codes in the mid-1940s and became an All Black in 1947, playing 30 matches for New Zealand up until 1950.

Marist Senior Team records (1919–1945 and 1990-2004, 2020-25)

The season record for the most senior men's team in the club.
SeasonGradeNamePlayedWDLPFPAPDPtsPosition
19191st Grade Marist Old Boys800822148-12607th of 8
19201st Grade Marist Old Boys117131027923153rd of 7
19211st Grade Marist Old Boys950415812234103rd of 7
19221st Grade Marist Old Boys1491425819266193rd of 8
19231st Grade Marist Old Boys1290217010862183rd of 7
19241st Grade Marist Old Boys151113345147198231st of 9
19251st Grade Marist Old Boys1160516211250123rd of 7
19261st Grade Marist Old Boys1170416714423143rd of 7
19271st Grade Marist Old Boys1170415511441144th of 7
19281st Grade Marist Old Boys12516154170-16115th of 7
19291st Grade Marist Old Boys1473420615749174th of 8
19301st Grade Marist Old Boys1363420014753154th of 8
19311st Grade Marist Old Boys12110120488116221st of 7
19321st Grade Marist Old Boys1052312910524122nd of 6
19331st Grade Marist Old Boys1070316412935142nd of 6
19341st Grade Marist Old Boys13319126197-7176th of 6
19351st Grade Marist Old Boys12426122156-34105th of 7
19361st Grade Marist Old Boys14617152184-32136th of 8
19371st Grade Marist Old Boys14100422818444203rd of 8
19381st Grade Marist Old Boys161204254121133241st of 9
19391st Grade Marist Old Boys16601018912663128th of 9
19401st Grade Marist Old Boys168082062060165th of 9
19411st Grade Marist Old Boys16619163287-124137th of 9
19421st Grade Marist Old Boys154011126237-11186th of 6
19431st Grade Marist Old Boys1691622315073194th of 9
19441st Grade Marist Old Boys18102620411490224th of 10
19451st Grade Marist Old Boys1461716214814136th of 10
1990Cleanaway Division 2Marist Saints21921035947575.58%205th of 8
1992Strand League Premier 2/3 GradingMarist Saints131210479118405.93%251st of 14
Strand League Premier 2Marist Saints650114546315.22%101st of 7
PlayoffsMarist Saints2101??--W v Hib. Coast in major SF, L v Ellerslie in GF
1993Projex Premier 2/3 GradingMarist Saints15130262198633.67%262nd of 15
Projex Premier 2Marist Saints760125951507.84%121st of 8
PlayoffsMarist Saints22007728--W v Hib. Coast 50-12 in major SF, W v Hib Coast 27-16 in GF
1994Lion Red Rukutai ShieldMarist Saints22831145749193.08%198th of 12
1995Lion Red Rukutai ShieldMarist Saints2414010631457138.07%32*incl 4pts from 2 byes, 3rd of 13
PlayoffsMarist Saints????????
1996Lion Red Preliminary RoundMarist Saints1350824438763.05%1011th of 14
Sharman CupMarist Saints????????
1997Lion Red Super 10Marist Saints181116404401100.75%234th of 10
PlayoffsMarist Saints????????
1998Super 10Marist Saints181107489464105.39%223rd of 10
PlayoffsMarist Saints????????
1999Rukutai Shield Super 12Marist Saints22801451665578.78%167th of 12
2000Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Top 8Marist Saints14021224447751.15%28th of 8
2002Fox Memorial Top 8Marist Saints14626305294103.74%145th of 8
PlayoffsMarist Saints21014740117.5%-W v Mangere East 28-18 in prel. SF, L v Otahuhu in minor SF
2004Mad Butcher Fox MemorialMarist Saints14221031853459.55%67th of 8
2020Fox MemorialMarist Saints840418423877.31%87th of 12
2021Fox QualifyingMarist Saints11506292284102.82%107th of 12
Fox MemorialMarist Saints721415928455.99%56th of 8
2022Fox MemorialMarist Saints9603402166236%125th of 10 in Sect. 2
PlayoffsMarist Saints1001034--L v Richmond 0-34 in prel. final
2023Fox QualifiersMarist Saints33009860163.33%61st of 4
Fox MemorialMarist Saints1150625026693.99%106th of 12
PlayoffsMarist Saints10011018--L v Howick 10-18 in prel. final
2024Fox QualifiersMarist Saints31026486-2223rd of 4
Fox MemorialMarist Saints11227204320-116610th of 12
2025Fox QualifiersMarist Saints3201132924042nd of 4
Fox MemorialMarist Saints12309214374-16068th of 10
1919-45 + 1994-2004, 2020-2025TOTAL6603333728912,36411,310+1054699

Club titles

Marist Saints grade championships (1919–1944)

Other titles

  • 1928 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1929 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1932 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1937 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1939 Roope Rooster
  • 1946 Roope Rooster
  • 1950 Stormont Shield
  • 1958 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1965 Stormont Shield
  • 1966 Roope Rooster & Stormont Shield
  • 1971 Roope Rooster
  • 1992 Sharman Cup
  • 1997 Roope Rooster

All time top point scorers (1919–1945)

The point scoring lists are compiled from all first grade matches including official preseason games, championship matches, Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield, and Sharman Cup games along with domestic tour matches, games against touring sides such as Australian club teams, and other organised charity and friendly matches. The statistics for the combined Marist-North Shore team of 1942 are also included.

Head to Head records

  • the team which beat Eastern Suburbs in 1931 was a combined Marist and North Shore Albions side.