The 1952 New Zealand rugby league season was the 45th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.

International competitions

New Zealand toured Australia, winning the Test series 2-1. The Kiwis were coached by Jim Amos and included

Des White Desmond Henry White (born 1927) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. A record-breaking goal-kicking , he was named amongst the country's finest players of the 20th century. His total for ...

, Harvey Kreyl,

Bevin Hough William Bevin Keith Hough (21 April 1929 – 25 November 2019) was a New Zealand sportsman who represented New Zealand in rugby league and the long jump. Early life and family Hough was born on 21 April 1929 in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonb ...

, Jimmy Edwards,

Ron McKay Ron McKay is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup, 1954 World Cup. Playing career McKay played in the Taranaki Rugby League competition ...

Tommy Baxter Thomas Owen Baxter (c. 1930 – 26 May 2014) was a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in twenty nine tests between 1949 and 1956. In 2007 he was named in the New Zealand Rugby League's Team of the Century. Pl ...

, Bill McKenzie,

Cyril Eastlake Cyril Aston Eastlake (21 August 1930 – 30 September 2007) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his nation in the sport. He captained New Zealand at the 1954 World Cup and also played at the 1960 World Cup. Early years Eastl ...

, Jimmy Haig,

Lory Blanchard David Lory Blanchard (4 September 1924 – 1 January 2013) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league football player who played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand in the 1954 World Cup and coached them at ...

, George Davidson, Bill McLennan,

Alister Atkinson Alister James Atkinson (1925-2002) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand in the 1954 World Cup. His position of preference was at Loose forward. Play ...

Frank Mulcare Frank Mulcare is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand. Playing career Born in Ngahere, Mulcare was a farmer. Mulcare played for the Ngahere club and represented the West Coast ru ...

, captain

Travers Hardwick Travers Harry Hardwick (13 March 1923 – 25 April 1979) was a New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand and coached them in the 1960 World Cup. Early years Har ...

and George Menzies. White kicked a word Test record eleven goals when the Kiwis defeated Australia 49-25 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009'', 2009. .

National competitions

Northern Union Cup

Auckland again held the Northern Union Cup at the end of the season. During the season the Wellington also held the trophy. Canterbury's challenge against Wellington ended in tragedy when 21-year-old Papanui winger Donald George Hanlon died from an injury.

Inter-district competition

Wellington defeated Canterbury twice during the season, winning 28-21 at the Show Grounds in Christchurch before winning 20-8 in Wellington in a Northern Union Cup challenge. Canterbury included Joe Curtain,

Jock Butterfield John Rutherford "Jock" Butterfield (18 January 1932 – 14 February 2004) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He was named amongst the finest that New Zealand produced during the 20th century. A New Zeala ...

, John Bond,

Trevor Kilkelly Trevor Kilkelly is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1960 World Cup. Playing career Kilkelly grew up on the West Coast playing for the Brunner club. He was named as the West Coast's reserve hooker ...

and

Club competitions

Auckland

Ponsonby won the

Auckland Rugby League The Auckland Rugby League (ARL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region, including both club and school rugby league. It began in 1910 when the fi ...

's Fox Memorial Trophy.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 ''New Zealand Rugby League'', 1990. p.72 They completed "the treble" by also winning the Stormont Shield and Roope Rooster in the same season, as well as winning the Rukutai Shield. Pt Chevalier won the Sharman Cup.

played for Ponsonby.

Wellington

Miramar won the

Wellington Rugby League Wellington Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Greater Wellington region. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellingto ...

's Appleton Shield.

Canterbury

Hornby won the Canterbury Rugby League's Massetti Cup. The Marist club was formed, although it had no connection with the Marist Old Boys club that had competed in the 1920s.Coffey, John. ''Canterbury XIII'', Christchurch, 1987 The club was renamed Marist-Western Suburbs in 1968. In their first season they produced the Kiwi coach, Jim Amos, the Kiwi vice captain Jimmy Haig and another international Bill McKenzie.

and

played for Linwood while

played for Sydenham.

Other Competitions

Hornby defeated Runanga 24-7 to win the Thacker Shield.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1952 New Zealand Rugby League Season Rugby league season