2015 New Zealand rugby league season

The 2015 New Zealand rugby league season is the 108th season of rugby league that has been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year will be the National Competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League.

The New Zealand national side will compete in the 2015 ANZAC Test and tour England at the end of the year.

International competitions

The Kiwis will compete in the 2015 ANZAC Test and tour Great Britain at the end of the 2015 season, playing in three test matches against England.[1]

Coached by Stephen Kearney, the Kiwis squad for the ANZAC test on 1 May is Jesse Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm), Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kieran Foran, Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai, Simon Mannering (c), Ben Matulino, Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors), Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Moa, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Issac Luke (South Sydney Rabbitohs), (Melbourne Storm), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers) and Jason Nightingale (St. George-Illawarra). Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers) was originally named but was suspended by the NRL judiciary and replaced by Nightingale.[2]

The NZ Defence Force and the Kiwiferns will both play in curtain raisers to the ANZAC test. Coached by Alan Jackson, the full NZ Kiwi Ferns squad for the Anzac test curtainraiser is Tasha Davie, Shontelle Dudley, Maitua Feterika, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Georgia Hale, Annabelle Hohepa, Nora Maaka, Kelly Maipi, Laura Mariu, Krystal Murray, Hilda Peters, Kahurangi Peters, Rona Peters, Krystal Rota, Kristina Sue, Atawhai Tupaea, Janna Vaughan and Sharnita Woodman.[2]

On 2 May the Junior Kiwis will play the Junior Kangaroos. Coached by Kelvin Wright, the Junior Kiwis squad is Bunty Afoa, Marata Niukore, Toafofoa Sipley, Jazz Tevaga (NZ Warriors), Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tony Tumusa (Melbourne Storm), Zach Dockar-Clay (Parramatta Eels), James Fisher-Harris, Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers), Watson Heleta, Lamar Liolevave, Te Maire Martin (Wests Tigers), Jamayne Isaako (Cronulla Sharks), Daniel Levi (Newcastle Knights), Joseph Manu, Taane Milne (Sydney Roosters), Renouf To’omaga (Canterbury Bulldogs) and Braden Uele (North Queensland Cowboys).[2]

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Auckland are the holders of the Rugby League Cup but have not defended the trophy since 2012.

National Competition

2014 will be the sixth year of the National Competition.

Australian competitions

The New Zealand Warriors will spend their 21st first grade season in the Australian competition, playing in the National Rugby League.

The Warriors will also field teams in the New South Wales Cup and Holden Cup.

In February, Auckland hosted the launch of the 2015 NRL season, as well as the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines. A NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and St. George Illawarra Dragons will also be played in Napier at McLean Park on 25 July.[3]

Club competitions

Auckland

The Papakura Sea Eagles won the pre-season rugby league nines competition, which was held in Whitianga.

References

  1. ↑ Kiwis to tour England in 2015 nzherald.co.nz, 4 September 2014
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Strong NZ sides for Anzac encounters nzrl.co.nz, 26 April 2015
  3. ↑ Melbourne Storm to 'host' Dragons in Napier on July 25 stuff.co.nz, 26 February 2015