Auckland rugby league team

Not to be confused with Auckland Warriors.
Auckland
Club information
Nickname(s) Akarana Falcons
Founded 1908
Current details
Ground(s)
Coach(s) Steve Buckingham
Competition National Competition
Records
Premierships 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Minor premiership 2010, 2011
Rugby League Cup 1910-21, 1924-26, 1928-29, 1950-59, 1960, 1961, 1964-68, 1986-89, 1991, 1995-96, 2008-09, 2012-present

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 North, East and West Auckland while South Auckland is represented by the Counties Manukau rugby league team. The zone team is named the Akarana Falcons.[1]

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.[2]

The 1920 Great Britain Lions tourists were defeated by Auckland before going on to win all three of their Test matches against New Zealand.[3]

In 1975 when the French national team was in New Zealand for the World Series, they played a match against Auckland on 13 June and lost 3-9 at Carlaw Park in front of 10,000.[4] Auckland also participated in the Amco Cup in the 1974-1980 and 1984-1985 seasons. They came within one match of the 1975 Amco Cup final, but lost to eventual champions, Eastern Suburbs Roosters. On the New Zealand leg of the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia, Auckland defeated the tourists 30-14. Auckland also beat the touring Australian side in 1989 by 26 points to 24 at Carlaw Park. Auckland also hosted the 1992 touring Great Britain Lions.

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 the 26th of August, 2007. The Warriors won 36-14 in front of a packed Mount Smart Stadium.

Current Auckland teams

Auckland zone in 2010

The Akarana Falcons participate in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. This team represents the Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Richmond Bulldogs, Mt 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.[5]

Colours

Auckland Lions Premier League players during at match against St George Illawarra in 2007

Auckland representative sides traditionally wear a blue jersey with a white double 'V', in the same style of the New Zealand Kiwis jersey but with blue instead of black, this is still the jersey worn by the Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup team.

Results

New South Wales results

Record versus touring teams

1919

1920

1935

1935

1946

1949

1953

1954

1955

1960

1961

1962

1965

1969

1971

1974

1975

1977

1980

1981

1985

1988

1989

1990

Other matches

1949, Auckland Colts 16 Australia 30 (Carlaw Park)

1984, Auckland 16 Great Brittian 14 (Carlaw Park)

References

  1. ↑ Auckland nzrl.co.nz
  2. ↑ John Haynes From All Blacks to All Golds: Rugby League's Pioneers, Christchurch, Ryan and Haynes, 1996. ISBN 0-473-03864-1
  3. ↑ John Coffey & Bernie Wood (2008). 100 Years: Māori Rugby League, 1908-2008. New Zealand: Huia Publishers. p. 73. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Clarkson, Alan (1975-06-13). "Canterbury's bid for Mills". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 13. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  5. ↑ Auckland Zone Auckland Rugby League
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