| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Titans, Orcas | ||
| Founded | 1995 | ||
| Current details | |||
| Coach(s) | Stuart Esera | ||
| Competition | New Zealand Rugby League | ||
| Records | |||
| Rugby League Cup | 2001-02 | ||
| Mainland Super 10 | 2000 | ||
The Tasman rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Tasman Rugby League. They have previously been nicknamed the Orcas but in 2010 adopted the Titans nickname.[1][2] The district was previously known as Nelson/Marlborough.
A Nelson-Marlborough side first played as an independent district in 1995, but it was not until the 1997 season that the Tasman name was adopted.[3][4] In 1998 they won the Central Zone of the National Provincial Competition Second Division before losing to Otago in the semi-finals.
In 2000 the team competed in the Mainland Super 10 against other South Island district teams and clubs from the Canterbury Rugby League. The Orcas made the final and defeated Hornby 20-0 to win the championship.[5][6]
In 2001 Tasman won the Rugby League Cup, defeating Coastline.[7] They lost to trophy to Otago in the first game of the 2002 season.
In 2004 the Orcas defeated the touring Russian national team 32-16.[8]
In 2010 the Tasman side lost two matches against the West Coast, 4-36 and 14-56.[9]
In 2011 Tasman will compete in a South Island home-and-away series against West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Southland.[9]
During the 1990's and early 2000's Tasman were coached by Paul Bergman who later went on to coach Wellington and be an assistant coach of the New Zealand Kiwis. Former internationals Phil Bergman (Paul's brother) and Simon Angell have also represented Tasman.