The 2005 New Zealand rugby league season was the 98th 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 sixth 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

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 ...

24-22 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 ...

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 Elland Road is a football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Premier League club Leeds United since the club's formation in 1919. The stadium is the 14th largest football stadium in England. The g ...

. Earlier in the year New Zealand had lost the ANZAC Test, 16-32. 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 ...

, for the Tri-Nations New Zealand included;

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 ...

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 ...

David Faiumu David Faiumu (born 30 April 1983) is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. A Samoa and New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played in the Natio ...

Awen Guttenbeil Awen Guttenbeil (born 14 March 1976) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. Since retiring after a playing career spanning fifteen years, he went on to work as a broadcaster for Sky Network Televisio ...

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 ...

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 ...

Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones (born 7 May 1976) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He played as a , but he has also briefly played at during his disting ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

Frank Pritchard Frank Semu Pritchard (born 3 November 1983), also known by the nicknames "Cranky" and "Frank the Tank", is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand and Samoa at international level. A , he played in the Nationa ...

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 ...

David Solomona David Joseph Solomona (born 26 January 1978) is a former professional rugby league footballer, who last played for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He was regularly amongst the top off-loaders in the competition. Background Solomona ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

Jake Webster Jake Ngapera Webster (born 29 October 1983) is a New Zealand international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the Keighley Cougars in Betfred League 1. He previously played as a and er for the Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans i ...

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 ...

, Bronson Harrison and 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Benji Marshall Benjamin Quentin Marshall (born 25 February 1985) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played at or . He previously played for the Wests Tigers in two separate spells, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Bro ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

and

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 ...

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. ---- ---- In February a

New Zealand Residents The New Zealand Residents (also previously known as New Zealand 'A', New Zealand XIII, the Lion Red Cup XIII and currently known as the Bartercard Premiership Selection) are a New Zealand rugby league football representative side that is selected f ...

team competed in the St Marys Invitational Sevens tournament in Sydney. The Team included Paul Atkins and

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 ...

A full Residents team then played against a New South Wales Country side and a Jim Beam Cup selection in October. The team was coached by Phil Prescott and included Shane Beyers and Corey Lawrie. The New Zealand Māori side hosted the

Cook Islands ) , image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , capital = Avarua , coordinates = , largest_city = Avarua , official_languages = , lan ...

in October, the three match series was drawn 1-all and broadcast live on

Māori Television Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the Co ...

. The 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 ...

while

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 ...

coached the Cook Islands. The New Zealand Māori included

Weller Hauraki Weller Hauraki (born 18 February 1985) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played as a or and played for the New Zealand Māori at international level. He has played for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL, and Crus ...

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 ...

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 ...

and

Aaron Heremaia Aaron Aspin Heremaia (born ) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a goal-kicking or for the Widnes Vikings in the Super League. Background Heremaia was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Playing caree ...

while Cook Islands team included George Tuakura and Marty Mitchell. New Zealand hosted the

2005 Women's Rugby League World Cup The 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup was the second staging of the Women's Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in Auckland, New Zealand from 28 September, culminating in the final between New Zealand and New Zealand Maori on 12 Oc ...

. The

Kiwi Ferns The New Zealand women's national rugby league team, also known as the Kiwi Ferns or New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, represents New Zealand in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the New Zealand Rugby League. New Zealand won the Women's Ru ...

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

competition run by the

. The

Mount 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. ...

claimed their third and final premiership, as in 2006 they were replaced by the

Auckland Lions The Auckland Lions were a rugby league club that had teams in both the New Zealand Bartercard Cup and the NSWRL Premier League. They were mostly drawn from the Mt Albert Lions Rugby League club. Mt Albert had a proud tradition in Auckland and had ...

The Teams

* Hibiscus Coast were coached by Tony Benson and included

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 ...

. * 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 ...

. During a mid-season training session New Zealand A prop Ben Valeni collapsed and died from a heart attack.

Gene Ngamu Gene Robert Ngamu (born 27 January 1974) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. He played mainly as a or , and is probably best known for his combination with Stacey Jones at the Auckland Warriors and the Kiwis. Early years Ngamu s ...

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 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 ...

. * Mt Albert were coached by

and included

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 ...

, Phillip Shead, Andreas Bauer,

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 ...

and Steve Buckingham. During the season forward Paulo Teniseli died suddenly. * Otahuhu-Ellerslie included

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 ...

Cooper Vuna Kerry Cooper Vuna (born 7 May 1987) is a professional rugby footballer who plays on the wing for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. He played rugby league as a for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby Leagu ...

, Paul Atkins,

Bryan Henare Bryan Henare (born 24 September 1974 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer. Henare was usually a or a second-rower. Playing career Auckland Rugby League An Otahuhu Leopards junior, Henare toured Great Bri ...

and George Tuakura.NZ Presidents Selection / 2005 Tag International Series
''leagueunlimited'', 24 February 2005 * Waicoa Bay were coached by

.New Bartercard Cup takes shape
''TVNZ'', 26 January 2006 * Central were coached by

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 ...

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 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 ...

the assistant coach. The squad included

, Shane Beyers, Lewis Brown,

and Corey Lawrie.Bulls in NZ squad to contest league sevens
''The Press'', 7 February 2005 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

= 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

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 ...

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 11th out of 15 teams and failed to make the playoffs.

Club competitions

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 ...

won the Fox Memorial trophy while the

Papakura Sea Eagles The Papakura Sea Eagles are an Auckland rugby league club based in Papakura. The Sea Eagles currently compete in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. History The Papakura Rugby League Club formed in 1931. On March 26 th ...

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 The Howick Hornets are a rugby league club based in Howick, New Zealand. The premier team competes in Auckland Rugby League's senior competitions. The club currently competes in the top division, the Fox Memorial Trophy. The club has a rivalry wi ...

won the Sharman Cup (Division Two).

Wellington

Petone play North City at Rugby League Park in 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 ...

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 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

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 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 ...

and

Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League Gisborne may refer to: People *Gisborne (surname) Places *Gisborne District, a unitary authority area in northeastern New Zealand named after William Gisborne **Gisborne, New Zealand, the largest centre of population in the Gisborne Region **Gisb ...

.Mustangs reveal hope for Gisborne after more mismatches
''Hawke's Bay Today'', 2 May 2005

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:2005 New Zealand Rugby League Season