The 2004 New Zealand rugby league season was the 97th 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 fifth season of the

Bartercard Cup The Bartercard Cup (successor of the Lion Red Cup) was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zeala ...

competition that was run by the

New Zealand Rugby League The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. SPARC, 2009: 13 The NZRL was founded on 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year.Coffey and Wood ''T ...

. The

Mt Albert Lions The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial. ...

won the Cup by defeating the

Marist Richmond Brothers The Marist Richmond Brothers were a New Zealand rugby league franchise that played in the Bartercard Cup. They were a joint venture between two Auckland Rugby League clubs, the Richmond Bulldogs and the Marist Saints. In 2005 the competition was ...

40–20 in the Grand Final.

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 ...

played

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

North Harbour Stadium North Harbour Stadium is a stadium situated in Albany, in North Shore City, New Zealand. It was opened in 1997, after nearly a decade of discussion, planning and construction. Rugby union, association football, rugby league, and baseball are a ...

as part of the Tri-Nations tournament. The match was drawn 16-all. New Zealand finished third in the tournament, after failing to win in Great Britain. Earlier in the year New Zealand had lost the ANZAC Test 37–10 in

Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area in Australia, named after Newcastle ...

. New Zealand were coached by Daniel Anderson and for the Tri-Nations included;

Vinnie Vinny or Vinnie is a masculine given name, usually a shortened version of Vincent, Vincenzo, or Vicente, which may refer to: Vincents * Vinnie Anderson (born 1979), New Zealand rugby league footballer * Vinny Appice (born 1957), American rock ...

and

Louis Anderson Louis Manu Anderson (born 27 June 1985) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays for Villegailhenc-Aragon XIII in the Elite Two Championship. A New Zealand former international representative forward, he previously played for the Ne ...

Roy Asotasi Roy Asotasi (born 6 January 1982) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a in the 2000s and 2010s. A New Zealand international captain, he also played for Samoa. Asotasi played in the NRL for Australian clubs Canterbury ...

Jason Jason ( ; ) was an ancient Greek mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, whose quest for the Golden Fleece featured in Greek literature. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcos. He was married to the sorceress Medea. He w ...

and

Nathan Cayless Nathan Frederick Cayless (born 28 March 1978) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, and has coached in the 2010s. He played at representative level for New Zealand (captain), and ...

, Alex Chan,

Joe Galuvao Joe Galuvao (born 8 July 1978) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s in the NRL. A Samoa and New Zealand international second row forward, he played for the Auckland Warriors, Parramatta Eel ...

Dene Halatau Dene Halatau (born 27 January 1983) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who previously played for the Wests Tigers and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. Halatau was part of the Wests Tigers ...

Shontayne Hape Shontayne Edward Hape (; born 30 January 1981) is a former professional rugby footballer, a dual-code rugby international. He played rugby union at centre for Montpellier, London Irish, Bath and England. He played rugby league for the Bradfor ...

David Kidwell David Kidwell (born 23 April 1977) is a professional rugby football, rugby coach (sport), coach who is the defence coach at Los Pumas, the national rugby union team of Argentina, and a former rugby league player. As a player, he represented New ...

Wairangi Koopu Dane Wairangi Manurea Koopu (born 2 April 1980) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played for the New Zealand Warriors and the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League. Koopu primarily played in the , and as a ...

Ali Lauiti'iti Alaimatagi "Ali" Lauitiiti (born 13 July 1979) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, as a . Both a Samoa and New Zealand international representative forward, Lauitiiti played for the New Ze ...

Thomas Leuluai Thomas James Leuluai (born 22 June 1985) is a New Zealand professional rugby league coach who is the assistant coach of the Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League and a former professional rugby league footballer who played for New Zealand ...

Francis Meli Francis Meli (born 27 April 1979) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A Samoa and New Zealand international representative centre or winger, he played in the National Rugby League for New ...

Robbie Paul Robert Rawiri Hunter-Paul (born 3 February 1976) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. He has since become a business owner and television pundit, runninXtra Mile Marketing an inbound and digital marketing company. Robbie retired fr ...

Tony Puletua Anthony Puletua (born 25 June 1979), also known by the nickname of "TP", is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. A New Zealand and Samoan international, Puletua previou ...

Paul Rauhihi Paul Rauhihi (born 3 July 1973) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Rauhihi played in both the National Rugby League and Super League as a . Background Rauhihi was born in Porirua, New Zeal ...

Logan Swann Logan Swann (born 10 February 1975) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Swann is related to several other international rugby league players, notably cousins Willie Swann and Anthony Swann ...

Motu Tony Motu Iosefo Tony (born 29 May 1981) is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played as a in the 2000s and 2010s. He previously played in the NRL for the New Zealand Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos before playing in t ...

Clinton Toopi Clinton James Te-Whata Toopi (born 29 February 1980) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. A New Zealand international representative , he played his club football in the ...

Matt Utai Matthew Utai (born 25 May 1981) is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a er for the Auburn Warriors in the Ron Massey Cup. A New Zealand and Samoa international representative, he previously played for the Wests Tig ...

Nigel Vagana Nigel Faletoese Vagana (born 7 February 1975), also known by the nicknames of "Pablo", and "Chiko", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, as a and . A New Zealand national rugby league team, New Z ...

Lesley Vainikolo Lesley Paea 'I'muli Vainikolo (born 4 May 1979) is a former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer. A dual code international, he has played for the New Zealand Kiwis in rugby league and England in rugby union. He began his caree ...

Brent Webb Brent Douglas Webb (born 9 November 1979) is a former New Zealand national rugby league team, New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played as a . He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League, ...

Paul Whatuira Paul Whatuira (pronounced , born 31 July 1981) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL in 2011. A New Zealand international , he won National Rugby League premierships with ...

, captain

Ruben Wiki Ruben James Wiki (born 21 January 1973) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative centre-turned-prop forward, he retired with the record for most ...

Jamahl Lolesi Jamahl Lolesi (born 20 March 1981) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. A New Zealand and Samoa international representative or , he had previously played for the Wests Tigers, Canterb ...

Henry Fa'afili Henry Fa'afili (born 30 May 1980) is a Samoan-born New Zealand former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played representative rugby league (RL) for New Zealand Secondary Schools, t ...

and

Sonny Bill Williams Sonny Bill Williams (born 3 August 1985) is a New Zealand heavyweight boxer, and a former professional rugby league and rugby union player and as of recently is working for Stan Sports. He is only the List of dual-code rugby internationals#New ...

Sione Faumuina Sione Faumuina (born 27 March 1981) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup. He joined the Castleford Tigers ( Heritage № 893) in the Super League at the start of the ...

Tevita Latu Tevita Leo-Latu (born 3 July 1981) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a for the Point Chevalier Pirates. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL and the Wakefield Trin ...

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 ...

and

Jerry Seuseu Jerry Seuseu (born 19 April 1974) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, as a . He represented New Zealand and Samoa at international level. After retirement he became Wellbeing and Educa ...

played in the ANZAC Test but did not tour at the end of the year. ---- ---- New Zealand hosted the

2004 Pacific Cup The 2004 Pacific Rim Championship and the 2004 Pacific Cup was the 9th Pacific Cup, a rugby league tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was hosted in Auckland and for the first time split into two competitions; The Pacific Rim Cham ...

which was played between New Zealand Māori, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tonga and the Cook Islands. New Zealand Māori were coached by

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 ...

who was assisted by

Terry Hermansson Terry Brian Hermansson, is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. An international representative , he played club football in England, Australia and New Zealand. Playing career Hermansson was a Schoolboy Kiwi in 1982 and ma ...

. The team included Aoterangi Herangi,

Charlie Herekotukutuku Charlie Herekotukutuku (birth unknown) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers in the New South Wales Cup and the Mount Pritchard Mounties in the Bundaberg Red Cup. He plays as a , hal ...

Herewini Rangi Herewini Rangi is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who played one match in the NRL. He played as a or , who could also kick goals. Early years Rangi grew up in Huntly and played for the Taniwharau Rugby League Club. In 2001 ...

, Sonny Whakarau and

Odell Manuel Odell Manuel is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer and the Australian Powerlifting champion. Early years Growing up in Auckland, Manuel was an Otahuhu Leopards junior and in 1997 was selected for the Junior Kiwis. Rugby ...

. During the season the

New Zealand Māori Rugby League New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

was put under

administration after racking up $85,000 worth of debt. A New Zealand A side hosted New South Wales Country and, four months later, a

Jim Beam Cup Jim or JIM may refer to: * Jim (given name), a given name * Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James * Jim, a short form of the given name Jimmy * OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism * ''Jim'' (comics), a series by Jim Woodring * ''Jim' ...

selection. The team included Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Paul Atkins,

David Fisiiahi David Fisiiahi is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup and currently plays for the Ellerslie Eagles. He is the identical twin of fellow Tongan International Paul. Playing career In 2000 he joined the ...

Paul Fisiiahi Paul Fisiiahi is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup and plays for the Howick Hornets. He is the identical twin of fellow Tongan International David.. Playing career In 2000 he joined the Eastern To ...

Misi Taulapapa Misi Taulapapa (born 25 January 1982) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a or er for Doncaster in Betfred League 1. He has previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL, and the ...

, Karl Johnson, Corey Lawrie, captain Steve Buckingham,

Simon Mannering Simon Alexander Mannering (born 28 August 1986) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL. A New Zealand international second row forward, ...

, Daniel Vasau,

Kane Ferris Kane Ferris is a New Zealand rugby league player who previously played in the National Rugby League. His position of preference is Prop. Playing career A longtime representative of Canterbury age groups, he made the Junior Kiwis in 2002. He pl ...

and Lee Tamatoa. They defeated the Country side 36-18 but lost to the Jim Beam Cup side 18–6. Both teams took on

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 ...

in warm up matches. Auckland were coached by Stan Martin and included

, Karl Johnson,

Anthony Swann Anthony Gilbert Swann (born 27 March 1975) is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented both New Zealand and Samoa in international rugby league. Background He was educated at Liston College, Henderson. Playing career Swa ...

and Paul Atkins. Auckland defeated NSW Country 22-14 but lost to the Jim Beam Cup side 30–28.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood ''Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009'', 2009. , p.341. A Residents team had competed at the

Rugby League World Sevens The Rugby League World Sevens, usually referred to as the World Sevens and sometimes as the World Cup Sevens, was a pre-season rugby league sevens tournament made up over the years primarily of New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), Australian Rug ...

earlier in the year. Coached by

Graeme Norton Graeme Norton is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer and coach (sport), coach. He became coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1997. Initial career After a playing career with the Northcote Tigers, Norton ...

, that team included Daniel Floyd,

Steve Matai Stephen Matai (born 5 August 1984) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League (NRL )from 2005 to 2016. A New Zealand national representative centre, he played for Australian club the Ma ...

, Regan Wigg,

Shannon Stowers Shannon Stowers is a former Samoa international rugby league footballer who played as a for the Auckland Lions in the NSWRL Premier League competition. Playing career Stowers played for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders in the 2002 Bartercard Cup. ...

and

Gary Tupou Siokatame Gary Tupou also known as Tame Tupou and Gary Tupou (born 22 October 1982) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s. He played at representative level for New Zealand, usually as a , but also ...

. The Russian team toured the South Island, playing matches against the Tasman Orcas, 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 ...

, Southland and Otago. They lost to the Tasman Orcas 32–16 in the opening game of the tour.

was named the

's player of the year while referee

Glen Black Glen Black is a New Zealand former rugby league referee. An international referee, Black has also controlled Canterbury Rugby League, New Zealand Rugby League and Super League matches. International career Black was the New Zealand Rugby League' ...

was named referee of the year.

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

Bartercard Cup

The 2004 Bartercard Cup was the fifth season of the

competition run by the

. There were two major team changes before the start of the season. In Auckland, the

Manurewa Marlins The Manurewa Marlins are a rugby league club based in Manurewa, New Zealand. In 2018 the Marlins will compete in Auckland Rugby League's Sharman Cup competition. Between 2000 and 2003 they competed in the national Bartercard Cup competition. N ...

were replaced by the

Counties Manukau Jetz The Counties Manukau rugby league team represents the Counties Manukau zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Previously, teams representing Southern Auckland and the Franklin district of New Zealand have competed in the Lion Red Cup and Barterc ...

franchise. Some clubs who had previously been aligned with the Marlins became affiliated with the

Eastern Tornadoes The Eastern Tornadoes were a New Zealand rugby league franchise that competed in the New Zealand Rugby League's Bartercard Cup and Auckland Rugby League's Super 12 competitions. They were formed to represent the rugby league clubs of East Auckla ...

. Due to the changing boundaries, the Ellerslie club left the Tornadoes and joined with 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 ...

to form the

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

. Outside of Auckland the

Taranaki Wildcats The Taranaki rugby league team (also known as the Taranaki Wildcats, formerly the Taranaki Sharks and the Taranaki Rockets) are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Taranaki Rugby League. They currently compete in the NZRL National C ...

dropped out of the competition after two dreadful seasons. In their place the

Waicoa Bay Stallions The Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions were a rugby league team that represent the Upper Central Zone of the New Zealand Rugby League. The Zone comprises four districts: Waikato, Coastline Rugby League, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League. The ...

were formed, representing the

Waikato Waikato () is a Regions of New Zealand, local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato District, Waipa District, Matamata-Piako District, South Waikato District and Hamilton, New Zealand, Hamilton City ...

Bay of Plenty The Bay of Plenty ( mi, Te Moana-a-Toi) is a region of New Zealand, situated around a bight of the same name in the northern coast of the North Island. The bight stretches 260 km from the Coromandel Peninsula in the west to Cape Runawa ...

and Coastlines districts. The

Canterbury Bulls The Canterbury rugby league team (also known as the Canterbury Bulls) are a rugby league team who represent the Canterbury Rugby League. They currently compete in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Their home ground is Orangetheory Stadium in Chri ...

were again the only non-Auckland team to make the playoffs.

The Teams

* Coached by Tony Benson, Hibiscus Coast included

, Daniel Floyd,

Iafeta Paleaaesina Iafeta Iakopo "Feka" Paleaaesina (born 10 February 1983) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. He played as a for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, and for the Wigan Warriors, Salford City Reds and Hull F.C. in the Super League. ...

and Vinny Dunn. Tony Martin and

Karl Temata Karl Temata (born 12 July 1978) is a former Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who played as a or er in the 2000s and 2010s. He played at club level for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders, New Zealand Warriors, London Broncos/ Harlequ ...

were assigned to the club by the

New Zealand Warriors The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership and is the League's only team from outside Australia. They were formed in 1995 as ...

. * North Harbour were coached by Karl Benson and

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 ...

and included

, Jared Trott, Karl Johnson and Daniel Vasau.

was assigned to the club by the

Warriors A warrior is a person specializing in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based warrior culture society that recognizes a separate warrior aristocracies, class, or caste. History Warriors seem to have be ...

. * Glenora had

and

Epalahame Lauaki Epalahame Lauaki (born 27 January 1984) is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Bradford Bulls in the Championship. Background Lauaki was born in Ha'apai, Tonga. He is the brother of former All Black ...

assigned to the club by the

. They were coached by Geoff Morton and included Lee Tamatoa and Karl Edmondson. * Marist Richmond were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Karl Guttenbeil,

Marcus Perenara Marcus Perenara is a New Zealand rugby league player who played professionally for the Parramatta Eels. He is the brother of Henry Perenara and the cousin of current All Blacks (rugby union) TJ Perenara and Sonny Bill Williams. Playing caree ...

Tangi Ropati Tangi Ropati (born November 15, 1984) is a former Samoa national rugby league team, Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays for the Marist Saints in the Fox Memorial. He usually plays as a or . Background Ropati was born in New Z ...

, Ricky Henry,

Evarn Tuimavave Evarn Tuimavave (born 28 June 1984) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played as a . Playing career Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuimavave played his junior football for the Pt Chev Pirates, Richmond Rovers and ...

and

.Bartercard Cup round 7
''rleague.com'', 3 June 2004

and

Jerome Ropati Jerome Ropati (born 23 November 1984) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played his entire career for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL). Ropati also represented New Zealand, and was a memb ...

were assigned to the club by the

. * Mount Albert were coached by

Brian McClennan Brian "Bluey" McClennan (born 16 February 1962) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He was previously the head coach of the New Zealand national team (with whom he won the 2005 Tri-nations) and then England's ...

and included

Gus Malietoa-Brown Gus Mailetoa-Brown (born 28 July 1975) is a former Western Samoa international rugby league footballer. Playing career A Manurewa and Papakura junior, Mailetoa-Brown first attracted interest from the Brisbane Broncos. However, by 1994 he was pla ...

Fabian Soutar Fabian Soutar (born 11 September 1986) is a professional rugby league footballer who is currently with the Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup. His usual position is prop/second row. Early years Soutar was born in Wanganui, New Zealand on 11 Se ...

, Andreas Bauer, captain Steve Buckingham,

and

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 ...

Vinnie Anderson Vincent Manase Mohenoa "Vinnie" Anderson (born 2 February 1979) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who is player/coach for Villegailhenc-Aragon XIII in the Elite Two Championship. A New Zealand international representative o ...

and

Mark Tookey Mark Tookey (born 9 March 1977) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990 and 2000s. He played as a in Australia for the South Queensland Crushers and the Parramatta Eels as well as the New Zealand War ...

were assigned to the club by the

. * Eastern were coached by Boss Cecil and included Justin Murphy,

Zebastian Lucky Luisi Zebastian Lucky Luisi (born 22 December 1984), also known by the nicknames of "Lucky", "Zeb", "Zebba", is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who has competed in the Auckland Rugby League competition, his most recent club being the Howick Horne ...

Richard Piakura Richard Piakura (born 1 July 1976) is a Cook Island former high jumper, professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played representative level rugby league (RL) for the Cook Islands, and at club l ...

and

. Matt Jobson and

were assigned to the club by the

. * Otahuhu-Ellerslie were coached by

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 ...

and included

Frank-Paul Nu'uausala Frank-Paul Nu'uausala (born 13 February 1987), also known by the nicknames of "Frank Paul the Wrecking Ball" or "Frank the tank", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand international representative forward, N ...

Toshio Laiseni Toshio Laiseni (born 19 June 1985) is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who played as or er. Early career Laiseni was born in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga. Laiseni started his football at the Otahuhu Leopards before being selected ...

Manu Vatuvei Manu Mapuhola Mafi-Vatuvei (born 4 March 1986), also known by the nickname "The Beast", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer and convicted methamphetamine importer who was both a Tonga and New Zealand international repres ...

, Shaun Metcalf, Paul Atkins and

David David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

and

. * Counties Manukau were coached by Dean Hunter and included

Lee Finnerty Lee Finnerty (born ) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who played professionally for the Halifax Blue Sox. Playing career Finnerty joined the Marist Richmond Brothers in 2000 with the launch of the Bartercard Cup. Finnerty playe ...

and

Sala Fa'alogo Sala Fa'alogo is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played at club level in the Bartercard Cup and Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition for the Mount Albert Lions (two spell ...

was assigned to the club by the

. * Waicoa Bay were co-coached by

and Len Reid and included

Sam Rapira Sam Rapira (born 8 April 1987) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played for Toulouse Olympique in the Betfred Championship. He played as a . A New Zealand international representative he previously played ...

Lance Hohaia Lance Koro Hohaia (born 1 April 1983), also known by the nickname of "The Huntly Hurricane", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand international representative utility back, he played in the NRL for the Ne ...

and

were assigned to the club by the

. * Central included

David Lomax David Walter Lomax (born 21 September 1970) is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who represented New Zealand. He is the brother of another international, John Lomax. Early years Lomax grew up playing rugby league for the Wainui ...

as player-coach, Peter Sixtus as co-coach and Sonny Whakarau. * Wellington, coached by Paul Bergman, included

Earl Va'a Earl Va'a (born 1 May 1972)
Scrum.com is a former

Vince Mellars Vincent "Vinny" Mellars (born 27 January 1984) is a New Zealand rugby league and rugby union footballer who plays in the Centres. He has previously played in the NRL, Super League and Air New Zealand Cup and in the RFL Championship for Feathe ...

and

Issac Luke Issac Luke (born 29 May 1987) is a former New Zealand professional rugby league footballer He previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors, St. George Illawarra Dragons, and the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugb ...

. * Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott and included

Kaine Manihera Kaine Manihera (born 25 December 1986 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup. He played on the . Playing career Manihera made his first grade d ...

, Vince Whare, Corey Lawrie and

.Round six preview - Bartercard Cup
''rleague.com'', 27 May 2004

Brent Stuart Brent Clifford Stuart is a rugby league coach and former player who represented New Zealand. Playing career Stuart was originally from the West Coast. He was educated at Marist Brothers High School, Greymouth. A West Coast and Canterbury rep ...

was the assistant coach.Bulls in the limelight
''The Press'', 25 June 2004

Richard Villasanti Richard Villasanti (born 20 May 1980) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in 1990s and 2000s. An Australia national representative forward, he played his club football in the National Rugby League for Balma ...

was assigned to the club by the

.Franchises on notice
''New Zealand Herald'', 16 April 2004

Seasons Standings

The Playoffs

= Grand Final

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

Australian competitions

The

competed in the

National Rugby League The National Rugby League (NRL) is an Australasian rugby league club competition which contains clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand. The NRL formed in 1998 as a joint partnership ...

competition. They finished 14th out of 15 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

Auckland

The

won the Fox Memorial trophy, defeating 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 ...

14–10 in the final. Mangere East won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). The

Ellerslie Eagles The Ellerslie Eagles are a rugby league club based in Ellerslie, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1912 and competes in Auckland Rugby League competitions. Its premier team competes in the Sharman cup. The club celebrated its centenary Queen ...

won the preseason Roope Rooster trophy.

Wellington

Canterbury

Riccarton won the

Canterbury Rugby League Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby lea ...

title.

Other Competitions

The

Ngongotaha Chiefs The Ngongotaha Chiefs are a New Zealand rugby league club. They are from Ngongotahā in the Bay of Plenty. In 2000 and 2001 they competed in the Bartercard Cup but now they compete in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League competition. Notable players ...

defeated Ngaruawahia in Rotorua to win the Waicoa Bay championship.League clubs ready for battle
''Waikato Times'', 9 April 2005

References

{{2004 in rugby league