2003 New Zealand rugby league season

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team played Australia home and away, losing in Australia before defeating them 30–16 at North Harbour Stadium. Coached by Daniel Anderson, New Zealand included; David Vaealiki, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Willie Talau, Stacey Jones, Paul Rauhihi, Richard Swain, captain Ruben Wiki, Stephen Kearney, Logan Swann, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham, Jerry Seuseu, Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Vinnie Anderson, Sione Faumuina, Motu Tony, Nathan and Jason Cayless, Thomas Leuluai, Ali Lauiti'iti and Henry Fa'afili.

A New Zealand 'A' side toured Great Britain. The team played in five matches with their best result being a draw. They drew with Cumbria 24-all and lost to National League Two 27–8, Warrington 28–26, National League One 40-28 and the full Great Britain side 52–18.

The New Zealand Māori team toured France. The team included Phillip Shead whose brother, Artie, played against him for France. Former New Zealander Vincent Wulf also played for France.{{cite book

Ruben Wiki was named the New Zealand Rugby League player of the year. Thomas Leuluai was the Rookie of the Year.

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Bartercard Cup

The 2003 Bartercard Cup was the fourth season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. There were no major team changes however the North Harbour Tigers replaced the Northcote Tigers as they now represented all of the North Shore clubs. The Canterbury Bulls finished as minor premiers and were the only non-Auckland team to make the finals.

The Teams

• Hibiscus Coast were coached by Tony Benson and included Odell Manuel, Tyrone Pau and Aaron Heremaia.
• The North Harbour side included Mark Robinson.
• Glenora included Epalahame Lauaki.
• Marist Richmond were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Ricky Henry, Karl Guttenbeil, Tangi Ropati, Evarn Tuimavave, Tevita Latu, Jerome Ropati, Marcus Perenara, Steve Matai and Motu Tony.
• Mt Albert included Steve Buckingham, Wayne McDade and Meti Noovao. John Ackland finished the season as coach after originally leaving the club to coach the Villeneuve Leopards.
• Otahuhu included Boycie Nelson and George Tuakura.
• The Eastern Tornadoes included Paul Fisi'iahi, Herewini Rangi, Zebastian Lucky Luisi and Tame Tupou.
• Manurewa were coached by Kelly Shelford.
• Taranaki were coached by Alan Jackson.
• Central were coached by Peter Sixtus and included Jesse Royal and Sonny Whakarau.
• Wellington were coached by Gerard Stokes and included John Tamanika.
• Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott and included Kane Ferris, Richard Villasanti, Charlie Herekotukutuku, Lusi Sione, Vince Whare, Shane Beyers and Corey Lawrie.

Season standings

*Wellington were docked three points for registration infringements.

The Playoffs

| RD1-team1=Mt Albert Lions | RD1-score1=30 | RD1-team2=Marist Richmond | RD1-score2=33 | RD1-team3=Hibiscus Coast | RD1-score3=8 | RD1-team4=Eastern Tornadoes | RD1-score4=10 | RD2-team1=Canterbury Bulls | RD2-score1=40 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Marist Richmond | RD2-score2=18 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Mt Albert Lions | RD2-score3=42 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=Eastern Tornadoes | RD2-score4=20 | RD3-seed1= | RD3-team1=Marist Richmond | RD3-score1=36 | RD3-seed2= | RD3-team2=Mt Albert Lions | RD3-score2=26 | RD4-seed1= | RD4-team1=Canterbury Bulls | RD4-score1=32 | RD4-seed2= | RD4-team2=Marist Richmond | RD4-score2=28

Grand Final

The Grand Final was held at Ericsson Stadium with the Fox Memorial Grand Final as a curtain raiser.

Awards

• Player of the Year: Shane Beyers
• Coach of the Year: Phil Prescott
• Personality of the Year: Gary Endacott

North Island Championship Provincial Competition

Four teams competed in the North Island Championship Provincial Competition; Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the Coastline Mariners.

Australian competitions

Main article: 2003 New Zealand Warriors season

The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 6th out of 15 teams and won two games before losing the Preliminary Final to eventual premiers the Penrith Panthers.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Mangere East Hawks won both the Fox Memorial trophy and the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). They defeated the Hibiscus Coast Raiders 30–29 in the Grand Final. The Raiders had earlier won the preseason Roope Rooster trophy.

The Northcote Tigers won the Sharman Cup (Division Two) while East Coast Bays won the Phelan Shield (Division Three).

Wellington

Petone and the Wainuiomata Lions contested the Wellington Rugby League Grand Final. It was played at Maidstone Park on 13 September. Marvin Karawana played in the final for the Lions.

Canterbury

Halswell won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Riccarton hosted Runanga in the annual Thacker Shield challenge.

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae defeated Taniwharau in the Waicoa Bay championship.

The Marist Dragons and Waitara Bears met in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.

References

before = 2002 Bartercard Cup | after = 2004 Bartercard Cup | title = Bartercard Cup | years = 2003 |

References

1. The team was coached by [[Gerard Stokes]] and included Shane Beyers, [[Paul Fisiiahi]], [[Steve Buckingham (rugby league). Steve Buckingham]], Aoterangi Herangi, [[Tyrone Pau]], [[George Tuakura]], [[Lusi Sione]], [[Jesse Royal (rugby league). (August 2021)
2. [http://archive.thisischeshire.co.uk/2003/10/30/161371.html Durbin has last try honour]{{dead link. (September 2016)
3. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-87569446.html Wiki named NZ player of the year ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
4. [Marsh shakes off injury, tipped to play ] ''Waikato Times'', 29 April 2003
5. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12108036.html Bulls one win from glory ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
6. link. (26 October 2012 ''rleague.com'', 11 September 2003)
7. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12101847.html Must-win game again for Bulls]{{dead link. (February 2019)
8. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12015334.html Marist Richmond Brothers thrown to Lions in playoff cauldron ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
9. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12019442.html Ackland back in the fold after French farce ''Sunday Star-Times'', 29 February 2004]{{dead link. (February 2019)
10. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009'', 2009. {{ISBN. 978-1-86969-366-4, pp. 339–341.
11. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=3502631 Rugby League] ''New Zealand Herald'', 18 May 2003
12. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23887161.html Wildcats upbeat about losing tag of easybeats ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
13. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24024576.html Falcons gain Bartercard Cup extension]{{dead link. (February 2019)
14. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24020100.html Sixtus confident despite injuries ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
15. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-14392226.html Bergman off to capital as cup coach]{{dead link. (February 2019)
16. link. (26 October 2012 ''rleague.com'', 12 April 2003)
17. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12177688.html Character counters size]{{dead link. (February 2019)
18. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12096170.html Teenagers charge into Bulls for Marist-Richmond clash ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
19. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12109958.html Bulls recall three to tackle Tigers ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
20. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12095356.html Villasanti facing bigger workload ''The Press'', 25 April 2003]{{dead link. (February 2019)
21. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12120073.html Bulls Scoop Awards]{{dead link. (February 2019)
22. link. (19 September 2012 ''rleague.com'', 8 July 2003)
23. link. (26 October 2012 ''rleague.com'', 12 September 2003)
24. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12101415.html Riccarton defends shield ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
25. link. (15 July 2011 ''rleague.com'', 11 July 2003)