Auckland Rugby League

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ARL's logo

The Auckland Rugby League (ARL) is the governing body for the sport of Rugby league in the Auckland Region. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and is the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".

1 The Auckland Warriors
2 Representative Team
3 National Competitions
- 3.1 Lion Red Cup
- 3.2 Bartercard Cup
4 Club Competitions
- 4.1 2006 Format
- 4.2 Champions
5 See also

[edit] The Auckland Warriors

Auckland Rugby League originally owned the Auckland Warriors when they were entered into the Winfield Cup (Confusingly run by another ARL, the Australian Rugby League). The club is based at Ericsson Stadium. By 1998 the club had yet to experience any success and so was sold to a consortium including the Tainui tribe.

[edit] Representative Team

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.

[edit] National Competitions

[edit] Lion Red Cup

When the Lion Red Cup was started in 1994 Auckland was originally represented by four teams. The Auckland City Vulcans, The Waitakere Raiders, The Counties-Manukau Heroes and the North Harbour Sea Eagles. In 1995 the Vulcans were replaced by the Auckland Warriors Colts. In 1996 Auckland City did not compete.

North Harbour won the competition in 1994 & 1995.
Counties-Manukau won the competition in 1996 and was runner up in 1994.
Auckland was runner up in 1995 & Waitakere was runner up in 1996.

[edit] Bartercard Cup

Previously Auckland has had a large representation in the Bartercard Cup however now it is represented by the Auckland Lions, Waitakere Rangers, Harbour League, Counties Manukau Jetz and the Tamaki Leopards.

The Mt Albert Lions won the competition in 2002, 2004 & 2005.
The Hibiscus Coast Raiders won the competition in 2001.
The Auckland Lions won the competition in 2006.

[edit] Club Competitions

Aucklands premier competition is the Fox Memorial Shield. This has been contested since 1910.

[edit] 2006 Format

After the grading rounds the clubs were split into three competitions; the Fox Memorial Shield, the Sharman Cup and the Phelan Shield. Reintroduced for 2006 was the Roope Rooster, which is now a challenge trophy. The Roope Rooster was defended eleven times by the Mt Albert Lions and they will retain it until next season.