2005 New Zealand rugby league season

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team played Australia at Auckland's Ericsson Stadium as part of the Tri-Nations. New Zealand lost this match 26-28 but went on to win the tournament, defeating Australia 24–0 in the final at Elland Road. Earlier in the year New Zealand had lost the ANZAC Test, 16–32. Coached by Brian McClennan, for the Tri-Nations New Zealand included; Louis Anderson, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Cayless, David Faiumu, Awen Guttenbeil, Shontayne Hape, Lance Hohaia, Stacey Jones, David Kidwell, Ali Lauiti'iti, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua, Paul Rauhihi, David Solomona, Motu Tony, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Vagana, Manu Vatuvei, Brent Webb, Jake Webster, Paul Whatuira, Bronson Harrison and captain Ruben Wiki. Jerome Ropati, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Wairangi Koopu, Dene Halatau and Jamahl Lolesi played in the ANZAC Test but did not tour. Daniel Anderson coached the Kiwis in the ANZAC Test before resigning in June and being replaced by McClennan.

date = 21 October 2005 | home = | score = 28–26 | away = | stadium = Ericsson Stadium, Auckland | attendance = 15,400|

In February a New Zealand Residents team competed in the St Marys Invitational Sevens tournament in Sydney. The Team included Paul Atkins and Charlie Herekotukutuku The team was coached by Phil Prescott and included Shane Beyers and Corey Lawrie.

The New Zealand Māori side hosted the Cook Islands in October, the three match series was drawn 1-all and broadcast live on Māori Television. The New Zealand Māori were coached by Tawera Nikau while Kevin Iro coached the Cook Islands.{{cite book

New Zealand hosted the 2005 Women's Rugby League World Cup. The Kiwi Ferns won the tournament, defeating the New Zealand Māori side in the final.

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Bartercard Cup

The 2005 Bartercard Cup was the sixth season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Mount Albert Lions claimed their third and final premiership, as in 2006 they were replaced by the Auckland Lions.

The Teams

• Hibiscus Coast were coached by Tony Benson and included Odell Manuel.
• North Harbour were coached by Karl Benson and Ken McIntosh. During a mid-season training session New Zealand A prop Ben Valeni collapsed and died from a heart attack. Gene Ngamu made a mid-season come back for the Tigers. The team included Daniel Vasau.
• Marist Richmond were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Misi Taulapapa.
• Mt Albert were coached by Brian McClennan and included Fabian Soutar, Phillip Shead, Andreas Bauer, Paul Fisiiahi and Steve Buckingham. During the season forward Paulo Teniseli died suddenly.
• Otahuhu-Ellerslie included Toshio Laiseni, Cooper Vuna, Paul Atkins, Bryan Henare and George Tuakura.
• Waicoa Bay were coached by Tawera Nikau.
• Central were coached by David Lomax and included Sonny Whakarau in his final year for the side.
• Wellington were coached by Paul Bergman .
• Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott with Brent Stuart the assistant coach. The squad included Kaine Manihera, Shane Beyers, Lewis Brown, Charlie Herekotukutuku and Corey Lawrie. During the season the Bulls played a home game at Wingham Park on the West Coast, the first game to be played outside of Christchurch. During the season Beyers became only the second player to play 100 Bartercard Cup matches.

Seasons Standings

The Playoffs

| RD1-team1=Canterbury Bulls | RD1-score1=36 | RD1-team2=Counties Manukau | RD1-score2=18 | RD1-team3=North Harbour Tigers | RD1-score3=30 | RD1-team4=Hibiscus Coast | RD1-score4=20 | RD2-team1=Mt Albert Lions | RD2-score1=24 | RD2-seed2= | RD2-team2=Canterbury Bulls | RD2-score2=34 | RD2-seed3= | RD2-team3=Counties Manukau | RD2-score3=32 | RD2-seed4= | RD2-team4=North Harbour Tigers | RD2-score4=30 | RD3-seed1= | RD3-team1=Mt Albert Lions | RD3-score1=39 | RD3-seed2= | RD3-team2=Counties Manukau | RD3-score2=22 | RD4-seed1= | RD4-team1=Canterbury Bulls | RD4-score1=22 | RD4-seed2= | RD4-team2=Mt Albert Lions | RD4-score2=24

Grand Final

The Canterbury Bulls lost the grand final when Fabian Soutar scored for Mt Albert in the last second of the match.

Australian competitions

Main article: 2005 New Zealand Warriors season

The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 11th out of 15 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Manurewa Marlins won the Fox Memorial trophy while the Papakura Sea Eagles won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). Manurewa, who were coached by Rusty Matua and player-coach Richie Blackmore won the Grand Final 34–24 over Papakura.

The Howick Hornets won the Sharman Cup (Division Two).

Wellington

Petone play North City at Rugby League Park in the Wellington Rugby League grand final. As of 2011, this is the last major game of rugby league to be played at the venue.

Canterbury

Linwood won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae defeated Taniwharau to win the Waicoa Bay grand final.

2005 was the first year of the Eastern Alliance club rugby league competition, which involved clubs from the Hawke's Bay Rugby League and Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League.

References

References

1. "Tri-Nations 2005". Rugby League Project.
2. A full Residents team then played against a New South Wales Country side and a [[Jim Beam Cup. Jim Beam Cup selection]] in October.[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12177594.html 5 Bulls called for play in Aust]{{dead link. (February 2019)
3. [http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com/index.php/results/int2005/ 2005 International Rugby League Results & Tables] ''Rugby League International Scores''
4. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-110871756.html New Zealand A prop dies after collapse ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
5. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12170784.html Ngamu gets Tigers call-up ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
6. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12027163.html Mount Albert spurred on by memory of team-mate ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
7. link. (13 July 2011 ''leagueunlimited'', 24 February 2005)
8. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12164115.html Bulls face Otahuhu and its hefty reinforcements ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
9. [http://tvnz.co.nz/content/653969/2422021/article.html New Bartercard Cup takes shape] ''TVNZ'', 26 January 2006
10. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24037160.html Whakarau calls it a day with Central Falcons]{{dead link. (February 2019)
11. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12177688.html Character counters size]{{dead link. (February 2019)
12. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12160453.html Bulls in NZ squad to contest league sevens ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
13. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12163901.html Bartercard Cup debuts]{{dead link. (February 2019)
14. (18 July 2008). "From the Bulls to the Broncos". sportingpulse.
15. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12167663.html Canterbury Bull's Draw]{{dead link. (February 2019)
16. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12170842.html Poised for 100; Shane Beyers]{{dead link. (February 2019)
17. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12174900.html Grand final heartbreaker Soutar's last-second try mauls Bulls ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
18. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009'', 2009. {{ISBN. 978-1-86969-366-4, p. 347.
19. Kilgallon, Steve. Whatever Happened to Rugby League Park? ''Sunday Star-Times'', 17 April 2011. p. B7
20. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24433802.html Grand final a fitting end for tangi teams ]{{dead link. (February 2019)
21. [http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/sport/news/rugby-league-gisborne-team-humbled-in-horror-weeke/3632023/ Gisborne team humbled in horror weekend] ''Hawke's Bay Today'', 18 April 2005
22. [http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/sport/news/rugby-league-mustangs-reveal-hope-for-gisborne-aft/3633928/ Mustangs reveal hope for Gisborne after more mismatches] ''Hawke's Bay Today'', 2 May 2005