The 1987 New Zealand rugby league season was the 80th season of

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the Interdistricts Series competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League.

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

won the series, defeating the other three inter-district teams.

International competitions

The

New Zealand national rugby league team The New Zealand national rugby league team (Māori: Tīma rīki motu Aotearoa) has represented New Zealand in rugby league since 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of ...

began the season poorly when a domestic based side lost to the touring Queensland side 18–14 in May. Queensland then finished their tour undefeated by thrashing Bay of Plenty 72–6. The Kiwis then toured Papua New Guinea and Australia later in the year. Coached by Tony Gordon the side was

George Lajpold George Turirua Lajpold is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Playing career Lajpold played for the Randwick Kingfishers club in the Wellington Rugby League competition and represented Wellington.''1984 Autex ...

, Joe Ropati,

Kevin Iro Kevin Leslie Iro (born 24 May 1968), also known by the nickname of '"The Beast", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, and coached in the 2000s. He played at representative level for New Zeala ...

Mark Elia Mark Wycliffe Elia (born 25 December 1962)ELIA, Mark Wycliffe 1985 - 89 - Kiwi ...

Dean Bell Dean Bell, also known by the nicknames of "Mean Dean", and "Deano", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia a ...

, Shane Horo,

Gary Mercer Gary Ivan Mercer (born 22 June 1966) is a New Zealand rugby league and rugby union coach and former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand international representative player, he has spent most of his career in Britain both playing ...

Sam Panapa Samuel Lameko Panapa is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He represented three countries in his career: Tokelau, New Zealand and Western Samoa. Panapa played his club football in Aucklan ...

, Gary Freeman, Peter Brown,

Ross Taylor Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote Taylor (born 8 March 1984) is a former international cricketer and former captain of the New Zealand national team. Batting predominantly at number four, when he announced his retirement from international cricket at ...

, Adrian Shelford,

Barry Harvey Barry Kenneth Harvey is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in three test matches, including matches that counted towards the 1988 World Cup. Playing career A 1983 Junior Kiwi, Harvey played for the Western ...

, Wayne Wallace,

Dean Lonergan Dean Robert "Locust" Lonergan is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and current events promoter. He was the promoter of Jeff "The Hornet" Horn who won the WBO Welterweight World Championship against Manny Pacquiao in ...

, Mark Horo, Sam Stewart and captain

Ron O'Regan Ronald Phillip O'Regan is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer, and coach who represented New Zealand between 1983 and 1986. His nephew, Daniel, played for the New Zealand Warriors. Playing career As a young boy he idolised players such ...

. However O'Regan had to withdraw due to injury before the touring party left New Zealand. Dean Bell replaced him as captain while Shane Cooper was called into the squad.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p. 28 The team defeated Northern Rivers 44-12 and

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

22-16 before there two test matches. Before the Queensland game the squad was joined by four Australian based professionals;

Hugh McGahan Hugh Joseph McGahanMcGAHAN, Hugh Joseph 1982 - 90 - Kiwi #566

Brent Todd Brent Trevor Todd (born 5 December 1964) is a New Zealand former professional sportsman who has represented New Zealand at both rugby league football and water polo. His rugby league position was prop forward. Early years Todd played in the Ne ...

, Clayton Friend and Darrell Williams. As a result, four players were sent home after the Queensland game; Peter Brown and George Lajpold due to injury and Sam Panapa and Joe Ropati due to form. The Kiwis then travelled for Port Moresby and defeated

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

36-22 before returning to Brisbane and upsetting the

Australian Kangaroos The Australian National Rugby League Team, the Kangaroos, have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the 'Northern Union game' in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian ...

13–6. The Kiwis had originally planned to host France in 1987 but the French withdrew from their planned tour of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand due to financial reasons. The New Zealand XIII that played against

was

, Warren Mann,

Tea Ropati Tea Faa'tea Ropati (born 7 September 1964) is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand and Western Samoa. Background Ropati was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Ropati is a member of the large Ropati rugby leagu ...

, Gary Freeman, Adrian Shelford,

, Peter Brown, captain Sam Stewart, Peter Ropati and Mark Horo. Bench:

Paddy Tuimavave Paddy Tuimavave is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 1980s and 1990s and represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa. Background He is related to Evarn and Tony, who have both also played for the New Zea ...

and Wayne Wallace. Kiwis coach Tony Gordon coached the side. New South Wales Country conducted a two match tour of New Zealand before their annual City vs Country Origin match. They defeated Waikato 18-0 before losing to

6-44. The Junior Kiwis made their first ever tour of Great Britain. The side was coached by

Bob Bailey Bob Bailey may refer to: *Bob Bailey (actor) (1913–1983), American radio actor *Bob Bailey (baseball) (1942–2018), American third baseman in Major League Baseball *Bob Bailey (ice hockey) (1931–2003), Canadian ice hockey right winger *Bob Bai ...

and included Jason Lowrie,

Jason Palmada Jason Palmada (born 25 February 1977) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. Playing career A West Coast rugby league team, West Coast representative before moving to Auckland, Palmada was also a Junior Kiwis, Junior Kiwi. Palmada play ...

Tony Tuimavave Antonio (Tony) Emil Tuimavave is a Samoan former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, who was the head coach of the Ponsonby Ponies from 2010, primarily as a also as a . He was nicknamed The Chief because he ...

, Mike Steafano,

Jarrod McCracken Jarrod McCracken (born 27 March 1970) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He is a former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team and is the son of New Zealand rugby league internation ...

David Bailey David Royston Bailey (born 2 January 1938) is an English photographer and director, most widely known for his fashion photography and portraiture, and role in shaping the image of the Swinging Sixties. Early life David Bailey was born at Wh ...

, Dean Clark, Mark Nixon, Terry Cuthbert Todd Price, Justin Wallace and Tony Kemp.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p. 26 The Junior Kiwis won all seven games on tour, including two "Tests" against British Amateur Rugby League Association. The under 17-year old national side included

Ken McIntosh Kenneth McIntosh is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who currently coaches the East Coast Bays Barracudas. He played professionally with the Penrith Panthers. Playing career McIntosh began his career with the Northcote Tigers ...

Hitro Okesene John Haitrosene "Hitro" Okesene () (born 22 September 1970), also known by the nickname of "Nitro",Coffey and Wood ''The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League'' is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s ...

Blair Harding Blair Edward Harding was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand in 1993. Playing career Harding played for Papanui in the Canterbury Rugby League competition. He played for Canterbury in 1993, being part of the side that de ...

and

Tukere Barlow Tukere Barlow is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played for Warrington and represented New Zealand Māori. Playing career In 1993 Barlow played for the Hamilton City Tigers, who won the Waikato Rugby League Grand ...

Maea David Maea David (born 27 February 1972) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former professional rugby league footballer who played professionally in England and Australia. Playing career David played in the Canterbury Rugby League competition fo ...

Mark Bourneville Mark Trevor "Horse" Bourneville (born 30 June 1963) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. He represented both New Zealand and France in international rugby league and is the only dual-international the two countries share. ...

(as captain) and

Stephen Kearney Stephen Peter Kearney (born 11 June 1972) is a New Zealand professional rugby league football coach who until 2020 was the head coach of the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL and a former player. A New Zealand national captain and second-row for ...

was included in the under 15-year old side.

also toured Great Britain. They were coached by

, who had already announced his retirement from the position at the end of the year. The side defeated

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by populati ...

, 29–25, and

Warrington Warrington () is a town and unparished area in the borough of the same name in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, on the banks of the River Mersey. It is east of Liverpool, and west of Manchester. The population in 2019 was estimat ...

, 22–16, before losing to St. Helens 52–26. They then lost to

Hull F.C. Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull F.C., is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in West Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition and were ...

26-24 before defeating the champion Wigan club 10–6 in front of 10,743 fans at

Central Park Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West Side, Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the List of New York City parks, fifth-largest park in the city, covering . It is the most visited urban par ...

. They then lost to a Chairman's XIII 12–6 to finish the tour.''Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1988. p. 126 The squad was: John Ropati, Warren Mann, Shane Cooper,

Marty Crequer Martin (Marty) Paul Crequer (born 28 June 1965) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Playing career A Hornby junior in the Canterbury competition, Crequer was a Schoolboy Kiwi in 1979 and a Junior Kiwi ...

, Shane Horo, Gary Freeman,

, Michael Patton,

, Clayton Friend, Peter Brown, Steve Kaiser, Mark Horo, captain

, Rene Nordmeyer, George Mann, Lindsay Hooker,

James Goulding James Wayne Goulding is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand five times. Playing career A Richmond Bulldogs player in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Goulding won the '' Bert Humphries Memorial Medal ...

, Peter Ropati and referee Bill Shrimpton.

was the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p. 4

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

successfully defended the

Rugby League Cup The Rugby League Cup is a New Zealand rugby league trophy that is contested between districts on a challenge basis. The trophy used to be known as the Northern Union Challenge Cup. It is the oldest rugby league competition in New Zealand. Histo ...

three times at Carlaw Park over the year. They defeated the Bay of Plenty 40–8,

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...

40-0 and Waikato 82–4.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. pp. 118–127

Interdistricts Series

Auckland defeated the South Island 26–24 at

Wingham Park Wingham Park is a rugby league stadium in Greymouth, New Zealand. The ground is owned by the West Coast Rugby League. History Wingham Park is the home of rugby league on the West Coast and hosts the West Coast Rugby League grand final each year. ...

.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009'', 2009. . *

set a world rugby league record when four brothers played for the side.

Tea Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of '' Camellia sinensis'', an evergreen shrub native to East Asia which probably originated in the borderlands of southwestern China and northe ...

, John, Peter and Joe Ropati all played for Auckland against Northern Districts.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p. 20

became the first player to play 50 games for the district.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p. 22 The team was coached by

and also included

, Peter Brown, Shane Horo, Gary Freeman,

Shane Shane may refer to: People * Shane (actress) (born 1969), American pornographic actress * Shane (New Zealand singer) (born 1946) * iamnotshane (born 1995), formerly known as Shane, American singer * Shane (name), a masculine given name and a sur ...

and Mark Horo,

, George Mann and

Mark Elia Mark Wycliffe Elia (born 25 December 1962)ELIA, Mark Wycliffe 1985 - 89 - Kiwi ...

. * Northern Districts included

, Russell Stewart, Mark Woods and

Tawera Nikau Tawera Nuieia Nikau (born 1 January 1967) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative forward, he played club football at a number of different club ...

. * Central Districts included

James Leuluai A'au James Leuluai (born 4 February 1957) is a New Zealand former international rugby league . Background He is the father of former Widnes Vikings player Macgraff Leuluai and Wigan Warriors and New Zealand international Thomas Leuluai, and th ...

, Adrian Shelford,

, Sam Stewart and

Mike Kuiti Michael James Kuiti (born 18 March 1963 in Foxton, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby league player who played professionally in England and represented New Zealand, including in test matches that counted towards the 1992 World Cup. Currently ...

. * The

South Island The South Island, also officially named , is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman ...

were coached by Ray Haffenden and included

Brendon Tuuta Brendon Ephia Tuuta (born 29 April 1965) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of Māori (Ngāti Mutunga) and Moriori descent. Tuuta played a variety of positions including and . He was known as "the baby-faced assassin" and had a r ...

Phil Bancroft Philip William Bancroft is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand in two Test matches in 1989. Playing career A Canterbury and South Island representative in the 1980s,''1986 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rug ...

, Wayne Wallace and Esene Faimalo.

played one match as a guest player.

Seasons Standings

National Provincial Competition

won the inter-zone final, defeating Bay of Plenty in the final. They then lost to

in the National Provincial final.

North Island First Division

* Northland lost all five matches and ended the season being demoted to the second division. * Waikato were coached by Richard Bolton and included

, who had made his debut in 1986.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. pp. 128–130 * Bay of Plenty included Mark Woods,

and Russell Stewart.

Southern Zone First Division

were coached by

Howie Tamati Howard Kevin Tamati (born 3 January 1953), generally known as Howie Tamati, is a New Zealand politician and former professional rugby league footballer and coach who played for New Zealand. He is the cousin of fellow international Kevin Tamati. ...

for the second year. The team included Adrian Shelford, Sam Stewart,

Sonny Whakarau Sonny Whakarau (born 13 January 1966) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played professionally in England and represented the New Zealand Māori. Playing career A Manawatu representative, Whakarau moved south in 1 ...

Robert Piva Robert Piva (born 4 November 1966) is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. A forward, Piva played for Wakefield Trinity and was a foundation player for the North Queensland Cowboys. Pla ...

, Tony Kemp,

and

. Harvey and Leuluai both made their debuts for Wellington during the year. *

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. ...

were coached by Ray Haffenden. Canterbury conducted a three match North Island tour during the year, playing Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Wellington. They also hosted Auckland during its 75th Jubilee celebrations, losing 20–38. The Canterbury team included Esene Faimalo,

, Wayne Wallace,

and

. * The

West Coast West Coast or west coast may refer to: Geography Australia * Western Australia *Regions of South Australia#Weather forecasting, West Coast of South Australia * West Coast, Tasmania **West Coast Range, mountain range in the region Canada * Britis ...

were coached by

Tony Coll Anthony Peter Coll ( – 14 May 2020) was a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer and coach who represented New Zealand in three World Cups. Early life and family Coll grew up on the West Coast. He was the son of Peter Coll—a West ...

North Island Second Division

The Wellington Emerging players side won the second Division title for the third successive year. Midlands defeated Northland at the end of the season to earn promotion into the first Division.

South Island Second Division

West Coast B won the second Division, ending Canterbury B's nine-year domination of the division. They defeated Canterbury B,

Otago Otago (, ; mi, Ōtākou ) is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council. It has an area of approximately , making it the country's second largest local government reg ...

and Southland on the way to the title. Glen Gibb and Bernie Green both played for West Coast B.

National Club Competition

The national club competition, called the

Lion Red Lion Red is a New Zealand lager beer brewed by Lion Breweries in Auckland, part of Lion. The beer is 4.0% alcohol. Because of its relatively low alcohol content it is widely regarded as an excellent 'session' beer, that is, a beer that can be co ...

League Nationals for sponsorship reasons, was won by the Northcote Tigers who defeated the

Mangere East Hawks The Mangere East Hawks are a rugby league based in Mangere, New Zealand. The Hawks compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. History The club was formed in 1963, the first fourteen junior teams took the field in 1964.''The Haw ...

14–12 in the final. The final was held at Carlaw Park.''1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p. 113 In a qualifying match, He Tauaa (Southland) defeated St Kilda (Otago) 33–14.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Northcote Tigers won their first ever Fox Memorial when they defeated minor premiers, the

, 12–8 in front of 14,000 fans at Carlaw Park. It was the first time a North Shore club had won the Fox since 1941. The

Te Atatu Roosters The Te Atatu Roosters is a rugby league club based in Te Atatū, New Zealand. They participate in the Auckland Rugby League competition. They currently have 25 teams across schoolboy, junior and senior grades. The Roosters premier team began th ...

won the pre-season tournament, defeating the Mount Albert Lions 24–20. The

Otahuhu Leopards The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, Auckland. Founded in 1911 Auckland Rugby League season, 1911, the club has produced 49 New Zealand national rugby league team players. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competit ...

won the knock out Roope Rooster, defeating the

Glenora Bears The Glenora Bears are a rugby league football club based in Glen Eden, New Zealand who compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. History The club was established in 1931 Auckland Rugby League season, 1931 when the Auckland ...

24–8 in the final. Jason Lowrie,

, Gary Freeman and Shane Horo and Todd Price Junior Kiwi played for Northcote. Tom Conroy served as the Tigers trainer.

and

played for Mount Albert while Mike Steafano played for the

Marist Saints The Marist Saints is a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. They currently compete in the top grade in Auckland Rugby League, the Fox Memorial Premiership. History Founded in 1919, the Marist club first won the Fox Memorial in 1 ...

and

Fred Ah Kuoi Fred "Freddie" Ah Kuoi (born 7 June 1956) is a Samoa-born New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Early years Ah Kuoi was born in Apia, Western Samoa, in 1956 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1962 wit ...

and

played for the Richmond Bulldogs.

, Michael Patton and

played for

. At the end of the season the Glenora Bears played the North Sydney Bears in front of 12,000 fans at Carlaw Park, losing 8–11. Dean Clark, Francis Leota and

, Peter and

Iva Ropati Iva Lewis Ropati is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and high school principal. He played at representative level for New Zealand, Auckland and Taranaki, and at club level for the Ota ...

played for

while

, Peter Brown, Mark Horo and

played for

. Shane Cooper, who had joined from Mount Albert after 21 years with the Lions, and George Mann played for

. David Watson played for the

Manukau Magpies The Manukau Magpies are a rugby league football club based in Mangere, a suburb of Auckland in New Zealand, who compete in the Auckland Rugby League. The club was established in March 1912 after a meeting in Onehunga (where they were originally ...

Wellington

The Upper Hutt Tigers won their second grand final in a row, defeating the Randwick Kingfishers 20–12. Tony Kemp,

, Sam Stewart and

played for Randwick while

and Adrian Shelford played for Upper Hutt.

played for St. George while

joined the Petone club mid-season.

Canterbury

Minor premiers Halswell defeated Hornby 15–14 in the Canterbury Rugby League grand final. Hornby won the pre-season tournament. Halswell defeated Cobden-Kohinoor to retain the

Thacker Shield The Thacker Shield is a rugby league football trophy awarded on an annual basis to the winner of a match between the champion clubs of the Canterbury Rugby League and West Coast Rugby League. History The shield was donated by Dr Henry Thacker in 1 ...

, who had signed from Hornby, and

played for Halswell, who were coached by Phil Prescott in his debut year.

, Barry Edkins and Mark Nixon played for Hornby, who were coached by

Frank Endacott Frank Morris Endacott , also known by the nickname of "Happy Frank", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and coach. Background His son, Shane, also played rugby league. Playing career Endacott played for Addington and ...

Logan Edwards Samuel Logan Edwards (born 18 November 1968) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. Domestic career Edwards played for the dominating Canterbury provincial side of the early 1990s alongside such talent as Quentin Pongia, Mike Dorree ...

played for Marist-Western while Mark Broadhurst played for Papanui.

Other Competitions

The Portland Panthers dominated the Northland Rugby League competition, winning 21 matches in a row. The Frankton Albions won the

Waikato Rugby League Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team. They are currently part of the Upper Central Zone alo ...

title, defeating Huntly South in the final.

Vaun O'Callaghan Vaun Jon O'CallaghanO'CALLAGHAN, Vaun Jon - 1985
''nzleague.co.nz'' is a New Ze ...

played for Huntly South while Frankton included Jason Donnelly. Turangi won the Midlands grand final 5-4 while Kaiti dominated in the Gisborne-East Coast competition. In the Bay of Plenty Rugby League grand final the two form teams of the competition met, Ngongotaha and Pikiao. Ngongotaha, who included Mark Woods won 8–7. The Waitara Bears won the

Taranaki Rugby League Taranaki Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. The TRL are represented by the Taranaki rugby league team. They are in the Mid-Central zone along with the ...

grand final, defeating Western Suburbs 26–12. The Omahu Huias defeated the Hastings City Tigers in the

Hawke's Bay Rugby League Rugby League Hawkes Bay is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of rugby league in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The RLHB run the local club competition and are responsible for the Hawke's Bay rugby league team. Th ...

grand final. Runanga won its ninth consecutive West Coast Rugby League title, defeating Marist 12–8. Wayne Dwyer played for Marist while

, Glen Gibb and Bernie Green played for Runanga. He Tauaa won the

Southland Rugby League Southland may refer to: Places Canada * Dunbar–Southlands, Vancouver, British Columbia New Zealand * Southland Region, a region of New Zealand * Southland County, a former New Zealand county * Southland District, part of the wider Southland Re ...

competition.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1987 New Zealand Rugby League Season New Zealand rugby league seasons Rugby league season New Zealand rugby league season