The 1966 New Zealand rugby league season was the 59th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.

International competitions

New Zealand lost two Test matches to Great Britain. Canterbury lost to Great Britain 6-53.Coffey, John. ''Canterbury XIII'', Christchurch, 1987. Auckland then lost 12–11 in the last minute to Great Britain in the final match of the tour, meaning Great Britain had completed the eight match tour undefeated. The Auckland team was selected by

Des Barchard Desmond Alfred Barchard is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer, and coach who represented and coached New Zealand. Barchard was the coach of the Kiwis in the 1968 and 1972 World Cups. His uncle, Len Barchard also played for New Zealand, ...

, Bruce Robertson and Gary Phillips and included

Roger Tait Roger Tait is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand in the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, 1968 World Cup. Playing career Tait grew up in Huntly, New Zealand, Huntly and pl ...

, Brian Reidy, Gary Bailey, Lester Mills,

Roy Christian Fletcher Roy Christian (born 10 October 1943) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. A , he captained New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand in the sport. Christian also capt ...

Doug Ellwood Doug Ellwood is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1968 World Cup. Playing career Ellwood originally played for Ellerslie. During the Auckland Rugby League's "district era" he represented Eastern ...

, Paul Schultz, Roy Roberts, Bill Schultz, Oscar Danielson, Eddie Moore,

Victor Yates Victor Francis Yates (19 April 1900 – 19 January 1969) was a British pacifist Labour Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham, Ladywood from the July 1945 general election, when he beat the Unionist incumben ...

and captain Bruce Castle. New South Wales Country toured New Zealand, defeating Northland 13-0 and Canterbury 21-12 before losing to Auckland 23–2.

won the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year award.

National competitions

Northern Union Cup

Auckland again held the Northern Union Cup at the end of the season.

Inter-district competition

Auckland won the Rothmans trophy, defeating Wellington 37–21 in the final.Sky Rugby League Annual '98 ''New Zealand Rugby League'', 1998 *

, Len Morgan,

, Paul Schultz,

Bob Mincham Robert Mincham is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1968 World Cup. His father, Ted, was also a New Zealand international, while his grandfather, William Mincham played for Auckland and later became ...

, Roger Bailey,

, Ernie Wiggs and Lester Mills played for Auckland.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009'', 2009. . * Canterbury included Ian Drayton, Mita Mohi, captain

Jim Fisher James Fisher may refer to: Politics *James Fisher (physician) (died 1822), Scottish-born physician and politician in Lower Canada * James Hurtle Fisher (1790–1875), South Australian lawyer, first mayor of Adelaide * James Fisher (Wisconsin polit ...

and

Gary Clarke Gary Clarke (born Clarke Frederick L'Amoreaux; August 16, 1933) is an American actor best known for his role as Steve Hill in the NBC western television series '' The Virginian'' with James Drury and Doug McClure. Early life Clarke was born in ...

Club competitions

Auckland

Marist 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, Roope Rooster and Stormont Shield.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1990 ''New Zealand Rugby League'', 1990. p. 72 They defeated Ponsonby 24–7 in the final. Otahuhu won the Rukutai Shield. City Newton won the Sharman Cup.

from Otahuhu won the

Lipscombe Cup The Auckland Rugby League competition has been competed for since 1909 when the first organised match was played between North Shore and City Rovers (won 44–22 by North Shore). The following year an official champion was crowned for the first tim ...

while Bruce Castle from Ellerslie won the Rothville Trophy. Marist were coached by

Neville Denton Neville Leon Denton (22 July 1934 – 27 March 2015) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand in the 1954 and 1960 World Cup. Playing career Denton, an Auckland representative, played in 13 test matches for the New Z ...

and included

Tony Kriletich Anthony Peter "Tony" Kriletich (22 March 1944 – 21 May 2016) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand in the 1968 Rugby League World Cup, 1968 and 1970 Rugby League World Cup, 197 ...

, captain Brian Reidy, Oscar Danielson and Bill and Paul Schultz. Ponsonby included

Jack Fagan John Edward "Jack" Fagan (21 June 1933 – 30 November 2015) was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand. Playing career Fagan played for Ponsonby and represented Auckland. He was part of the Auckland side that defea ...

Bill Snowden William Andrew Snowden (May 6, 1910 – February 2, 1959) was a NASCAR driver from St. Augustine, Florida, USA. He was one of the racers whose career was interrupted by World War II. He was nicknamed "Wild Bill" and the "Florida Hurricane". Sno ...

and Gary Bailey, who all left at the end of the year.

Wellington

Mirimar and Waterside shared the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield.

Canterbury

Hornby won the Canterbury Rugby League's Massetti Cup. Mike Morgan (Linwood) won the A.G.Bailey Challenge Cup as the leading tryscorer.

Other Competitions

Greymouth Marist defeated Hornby 23–4 to win the Thacker Shield.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1966 New Zealand Rugby League Season New Zealand rugby league seasons Season season