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Here’s some league juniors rugby stole in Nz: tana umaga, Rico year, Piri weepu, Jonah Lomu (told by his school principal to stop playing league for Mt Wellington to play rugby for school). There’s always a lot of nice chat from rugby here about everyone being friends now but the reality is they pinch most of our kids. 

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2 hours ago, Bondi Cannon said:

Here’s some league juniors rugby stole in Nz: tana umaga, Rico year, Piri weepu, Jonah Lomu (told by his school principal to stop playing league for Mt Wellington to play rugby for school). There’s always a lot of nice chat from rugby here about everyone being friends now but the reality is they pinch most of our kids. 

You`ve answered a question I`ve been trying to find out for a while. Namely, which Auckland club Jonah Lomu played for as a junior. I knew he had been a League junior because it was mentioned in an RL magazine over here when he first burst onto the scene.

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4 hours ago, Bondi Cannon said:

Here’s some league juniors rugby stole in Nz: tana umaga, Rico year, Piri weepu, Jonah Lomu (told by his school principal to stop playing league for Mt Wellington to play rugby for school). There’s always a lot of nice chat from rugby here about everyone being friends now but the reality is they pinch most of our kids. 

 Tana Umaga trialed for the Knights and possibly the Tigers. Neither wanted him, hard to believe.

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15 hours ago, unapologetic pedant said:

Why is Vunivalu the property of RU but League juniors not the property of RL?

When someone plays junior League through their own or their family`s choice, but then plays Union at secondary school because that`s the only offer, the former is the better indication of where they could be said to naturally belong.

The social engineering entailed when thousands of League juniors go to Union-only schools is a lot more insidious than a small number of Union schoolboys being "poached" by NRL clubs.

When Honey Hireme was playing Union as I remember she always avoided answering questions about which game was her preference. Now there`s a Fresh TV feature up on YouTube where she makes it perfectly clear that she prefers the game she and her family played at Putaruru Dragons RLFC.

BEcause vunivalu is a union player who didn't play league until the melbourne storm poached him. Like how aru poached folau folau is a league player. Look at the participation numbers there's far more juniors paying union than league in nz.

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8 hours ago, Bondi Cannon said:

Here’s some league juniors rugby stole in Nz: tana umaga, Rico year, Piri weepu, Jonah Lomu (told by his school principal to stop playing league for Mt Wellington to play rugby for school). There’s always a lot of nice chat from rugby here about everyone being friends now but the reality is they pinch most of our kids. 

I agree those guys are league guys

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3 hours ago, The Rocket said:

 Tana Umaga trialed for the Knights and possibly the Tigers. Neither wanted him, hard to believe.

Tana Umaga played for Wainuiomata in Wellington and made the Jr Kiwis he was signed to Newcastle and briefly moved there but was homesick and quickly came back to Wellington and played Union.

John Kirwan played rugby League as a kid think is was for Marist as his dad had played league, then at the end of his career he signed for the Warriors.

More recently Nehe Milner-Scudder played under 20's for Canterbury then came back to NZ and made the All Black.

Ngani Laumape played for the Warriors then switched to Union with the Hurricanes and Made the All Blacks. I really have to congratulate him on that move as he has clearly done better in Union than he was likely to in League.

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2 hours ago, kiwis 13 6 said:

Tana Umaga played for Wainuiomata in Wellington and made the Jr Kiwis he was signed to Newcastle and briefly moved there but was homesick and quickly came back to Wellington and played Union.

John Kirwan played rugby League as a kid think is was for Marist as his dad had played league, then at the end of his career he signed for the Warriors.

More recently Nehe Milner-Scudder played under 20's for Canterbury then came back to NZ and made the All Black.

Ngani Laumape played for the Warriors then switched to Union with the Hurricanes and Made the All Blacks. I really have to congratulate him on that move as he has clearly done better in Union than he was likely to in League.

I don`t really follow the Union but what I saw of Umaga I really liked the look of. Big, fast and always looked hard to tackle, there was always rumours of him coming over but never eventuated.

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Heres my attempt from general knowledge and what i can find online to help people understand the current situation regarding Rugby League in NZ, although this season has only started about a month ago due to covid which will affect playing numbers this year. I'll do this on a region by region basis and include relevant links.

-Te Tai Tokerau Rugby League from the Far north at the top of the country. They are not currently Affiliated with the NZRL and run there own competition. From what I can tell they have 10 Clubs, a six team mens comp, various age grade side and women's teams. https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/31-08-2019/a-day-out-at-hone-harawiras-rebel-rugby-league-competition-the-rebel-rugby-league-tournament-fostering-tino-rangatiratanga-in-the-far-north/

- Northland Rugby League. Mainly centered around Whangarei the biggest town in the region they have about 7 affiliated clubs, junior competitions and 5 team high school competition. Northern Swords is the name of there representative teams that play in NZRL tournaments. https://www.northernswords.co.nz/

- Auckland Rugby League. NZ biggest population region with 1.6 million people, home of NZ Warriors NRL franchise. The Fox memorial is arguably NZ top club competition and only local competition that currently has a semi professional element. There are 4 mens grades below the Fox memorial and masters competition as well, also 2 adult women's grades. Auckland has Jr club competitions from under 6 - under 18's grades. At high school level theirs Premier, A and U15 grades for boys and also one girls competition, these are played mid week so as not to clash with Club Competitions. At Rep level Auckland is split into two sides Akarana (North Shore, Central and West Auckland) & Counties - Manukau (South Auckland) https://www.aucklandleague.co.nz/home-1/home-1

- Waikato Rugby League. At mens Level there is Premiers and Reserve grade competition. There are Junior grade & school competitions but not to sure on the exact details. Rugby League has a  long tradition of being a popular sport in Northern Waikato towns of Huntly and Ngaruawahia. Waikato representative side has competed in the NZRL premiership. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=16-7247-0-0-0&a=COMPS

Bay Of Plenty Rugby League. 12 clubs in the bay of plenty region and currently have 10 teams mens comp with 2 of the sides coming from nearby Coastline region. Theres a womens Comp due to start in August and there youth grade competitions. https://www.sporty.co.nz/boprl/BOPDRL-Home-Page

- Coastline Rugby League. I not sure what the situation is here as top mens teams have played in the Waikato Competition and this year are in the Bay of plenty competition. There are about 6 clubs in Coastline region and in the past has been jr and senior competitions. don't really know what happening due to Covid. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-7263-0-0-0&sID=381586

- Gisborne, Tairawhiti Rugby League. Formerly known as Gisborne, East Coast. Has a 6 team mens comp in 2019 and runs jr grade between under 6 - under 13's. Rugby League is played late winter early spring after the union season but not sure about 2020 season.

Hawkes Bay Rugby League. Starting Competitions in Spetember - November. Premiers, reserves, Womens, jr grade Under5 - under 17. Rep team known as the unicorns but havent featured much in recent years for a variety of reasons. Former Kiwi Kevin Tamati is current chairman of the Hawkes Bay Rugby League. https://www.sporty.co.nz/RLHB/FIND-YOUR-LOCAL-CLUB/CLUB-CONTACTS

- Taranaki Rugby League. Theirs Seven clubs in the Taranaki region. Rep side is called the Sharks. http://www.taranakirugbyleague.org.nz/

- Manawatu Rugby League. Theres Mens, Womens and Jr grades. looks like the Wanganui sides now play in Manawatu Comp. Rep side is called the Mustangs. but not really sure whats happening due to Covid think maybe season is starting later in the year. http://www.manawaturugbyleague.co.nz/

- Wellington Rugby League. Currently has a 10 team mens competition. 6 team masters competition. Jr grades from under 6's - under 13's. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=4979  A Wellington Schools competition runs later in the year https://collegesport.org.nz/rugby-league/

- Tasman Rugby League. Looks like Jr grades will be played later this year. As far as i can tell the Senior competition folded last year. https://nelsonweekly.co.nz/2019/05/tasman-rugby-league-in-crisis/

- West Coast Rugby League. Once was the top rugby League province in NZ but due to population decline not currently a mens competition.  currently has under 5 - under 17 junior grades. From what i can see on facebook at mens level they are looking at 3 game series later between Greymouth and Wesport who are making a comeback to rugby league. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-7271-0-0-0&sID=24154

- Canterbury Rugby League. Outside of Auckland, Canterbury is the next best region in NZ at present. Have 8 teams in premier competition, Canterbury Cup comp below that as well as Presidents grade and a Womens comp. Have Jr grade from under 6 - Under 18's. There is some high School Rugby League in Canterbury but cant find a link to confirm the numbers of schools participating. City Council have built CRFL a boutique facility called Nga Puna Wai and that ground  hosted last years NZRL premiership final between Canterbury Bulls and Akarana. https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/

- Aoraki Rugby League. Started in 2016 in the South Canterbury/North Otago region now has a 4 team mens competition. Not sure about jr grades situation. https://www.sporty.co.nz/aorakirugbyleague/Aoraki-Juniors-Draw/tab1

- Otago Rugby League. In previous years Otago/Southland run a joint mens competiton, there are about 3 or 4 clubs in Otago region, currently have mid week 9's social competition due to covid. there is some Jr grades in Otago but not exactly sure of the details. Otago Whalers Rep Side beat Wellington Orcas 2 years ago and last year played Wellington In NZRL championship game before the NZRL premiership final in Christchurch. 

- Southland Rugby League. 4 clubs based in Southland and in previous years has been a combined Otago/Southland mens competition. Again there is some Jr grade rugby league but im not sure of exact details. Southlands Rep Side the Rams did really well a few year back and made it all the way the the play off game for the NZRL premiership. 

Aoteroa Maori Rugby League which runs end of season tournaments based on tribal allegiances at men womens and jr grade.Maori residents side often plays NZ residents side in a Annual fixture. As well as NZ Maori side made up of NRL players plays the Australian Aboriginal side. https://www.nzmrl.co.nz/

- NZ Universities & Tertiary Students play an annual 9's tournament, toured Fiji in 2019, toured England in 2018, they will play in Student world cup in 2021. NZ Womens side toured USA & Canada recently. NZ students definitely leading the way for NZ amateur rep sides touring overseas. https://www.nzutsrl.co.nz/

-  NZ Defence Forces Rugby League. Play an annual Tournament between Navy, Army, Airforce. Recent preseason NRL game preseason game Palmerston North in Feb 2020 the Curtain raisers was NZ Airforce Vs NZ Army. Last Year was a Defence force tournament between NZ, Aus, UK, held in Brisbane. In 2017 NZDF played Fijian Defence force. Also of Interest in 2018 NZ and Australian troops in Iraqi had a game of Tag Rugby League for Charity. https://nzrl.co.nz/nzdf-personnel-win-charity-league-match-v-australia/

 - NZ Police Rugby League. have had a rep sides tour overseas in 2017 to Canada, in 2018 test between NZ & Australian police. http://www.kiwileaguecentral.com/tag/new-zealand-police-rugby-league/

NZRL has suspended all competitions and tournaments for 2020 that mean no age grade or NZRL premiership this year apparently due to financial implications, so looks like local club rugby league is all there will be this year?

https://nzrl.co.nz/all-nzrl-tournaments-and-competitions-called-off-for-2020/#:~:text=2020 %2F Featured Article-,All NZRL Tournaments and Competitions called off for 2020,the remainder of the year.

 

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2 hours ago, kiwis 13 6 said:

Heres my attempt from general knowledge and what i can find online to help people understand the current situation regarding Rugby League in NZ, although this season has only started about a month ago due to covid which will affect playing numbers this year. I'll do this on a region by region basis and include relevant links.

-Te Tai Tokerau Rugby League from the Far north at the top of the country. They are not currently Affiliated with the NZRL and run there own competition. From what I can tell they have 10 Clubs, a six team mens comp, various age grade side and women's teams. https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/31-08-2019/a-day-out-at-hone-harawiras-rebel-rugby-league-competition-the-rebel-rugby-league-tournament-fostering-tino-rangatiratanga-in-the-far-north/

- Northland Rugby League. Mainly centered around Whagarei the biggest town in the region they have about 7 affiliated clubs, junior competitions and 5 team high school competition. Northern Swords is the name of there representative teams that play in NZRL tournaments. https://www.northernswords.co.nz/

- Auckland Rugby League. NZ biggest population region with 1.6 million people, home of NZ Warriors NRL franchise. The Fox memorial is arguably NZ top club competition and only local competition that currently has a semi professional element. There are 4 mens grades below the Fox memorial and masters competition as well, also 2 adult women's grades. Auckland has Jr club competitions from under 6 - under 18's grades. At high school level theirs Premier, A and U15 grades for boys and also one girls competition, these are played mid week so as not to clash with Club Competitions. At Rep level Auckland is split into two sides Akarana (North Shore, Central and West Auckland) & Counties - Manukau (South Auckland) https://www.aucklandleague.co.nz/home-1/home-1

- Waikato Rugby League. At mens Level there is Premiers and Reserve grade competition. There are Junior grade & school competitions but not to sure on the exact details. Rugby League has a  long tradition of being a popular sport in Northern Waikato towns of Huntly and Ngaruawahia. Waikato representative side has competed in the NZRL premiership. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=16-7247-0-0-0&a=COMPS

Bay Of Plenty Rugby League. 12 clubs in the bay of plenty region and currently have 10 teams mens comp with 2 of the sides coming from nearby Coastline region. Theres a womens Comp due to start in August and there youth grade competitions. https://www.sporty.co.nz/boprl/BOPDRL-Home-Page

- Coastline Rugby League. I not sure what the situation is here as top mens teams have played in the Waikato Competition and this year are in the Bay of plenty competiton. There are about 6 clubs in Coastline region and in the past has been jr and senior competitions. dont really know what happening due to covid. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-7263-0-0-0&sID=381586

Hawkes Bay Rugby League. Starting Competitions in Spetember - November. Premiers, reserves, Womens, jr grade Under5 - under 17. Rep team known as the unicorns but havent featured much in recent years for a variety of reasons. Former Kiwi Kevin Tamati is current chairman of the Hawkes Bay Rugby League. https://www.sporty.co.nz/RLHB/FIND-YOUR-LOCAL-CLUB/CLUB-CONTACTS

- Taranaki Rugby League. Theirs Seven clubs in the Taranaki region. Rep side is called the Sharks. http://www.taranakirugbyleague.org.nz/

- Manawatu Rugby League. Theres Mens, Womens and Jr grades. looks like the Wanganui sides now play in Manawatu Comp. Rep side is called the Mustangs. but not really sure whats happening due to Covid think maybe season is starting later in the year. http://www.manawaturugbyleague.co.nz/

- Wellington Rugby League. Currently has a 10 team mens competition. 6 team masters competition. Jr grades from under 6's - under 13's. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=4979  A Wellington Schools competition runs later in the year https://collegesport.org.nz/rugby-league/

- Tasman Rugby League. Looks like Jr grades will be played later this year. As far as i can tell the Senior competition folded last year. https://nelsonweekly.co.nz/2019/05/tasman-rugby-league-in-crisis/

- West Coast Rugby League. Once was the top rugby League province in NZ but due to population decline not currently a mens competition.  currently has under 5 - under 17 junior grades. From what i can see on facebook at mens level they are looking at 3 game series later between Greymouth and Wesport who are making a comeback to rugby league. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-7271-0-0-0&sID=24154

- Canterbury Rugby League. Outside of Auckland, Canterbury is the next best region in NZ at present. Have 8 teams in premier competition, Canterbury Cup comp below that as well as Presidents grade and a Womens comp. Have Jr grade from under 6 - Under 18's. There is some high School Rugby League in Canterbury but cant find a link to confirm the numbers of schools participating. City Council have built CRFL a boutique facility called Nga Puna Wai and that ground  hosted last years NZRL premiership final between Canterbury Bulls and Akarana. https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/

- Aoraki Rugby League. Started in 2016 in the South Canterbury/North Otago region now has a 4 team mens competition. Not sure about jr grades situation. https://www.sporty.co.nz/aorakirugbyleague/Aoraki-Juniors-Draw/tab1

- Otago Rugby League. In previous years Otago/Southland run a joint mens competiton, there are about 3 or 4 clubs in Otago region, currently have mid week 9's social competition due to covid. there is some Jr grades in Otago but not exactly sure of the details. Otago Whalers Rep Side beat Wellington Orcas 2 years ago and last year played Wellington In NZRL championship game before the NZRL premiership final in Christchurch. 

- Southland Rugby League. 4 clubs based in Southland and in previous years has been a combined Otago/Southland mens competition. Again there is some Jr grade rugby league but im not sure of exact details. Southlands Rep Side the Rams did really well a few year back and made it all the way the the play off game for the NZRL premiership. 

also Aoteroa Maori Rugby League which runs end of season tournaments based on tribal allegiances. NZ universities tournaments have been held in the past but not sure of the current status. NZ Armed Forces & NZ Police have both run tournaments in the past and had rep sides.

NZRL has suspended all competitions and tournaments for 2020 that mean no age grade or NZRL premiership this year apparently due to financial implications, so looks like local club rugby league is all there will be this year?

https://nzrl.co.nz/all-nzrl-tournaments-and-competitions-called-off-for-2020/#:~:text=2020 %2F Featured Article-,All NZRL Tournaments and Competitions called off for 2020,the remainder of the year.

 

Good link that from Te Tai Tokerau Rugby League, an enjoyable read

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In relation to the rundown above there`s something called "Upper Central Zone Rugby League", which seems to have an important organising role. I can`t quite make sense of it. There`s a rep side connected called Wai-Coa Bay Stallions but if the region includes Waikato, and everywhere further east, how can they (Waikato) have their own separate rep side?

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2 hours ago, unapologetic pedant said:

In relation to the rundown above there`s something called "Upper Central Zone Rugby League", which seems to have an important organising role. I can`t quite make sense of it. There`s a rep side connected called Wai-Coa Bay Stallions but if the region includes Waikato, and everywhere further east, how can they (Waikato) have their own separate rep side?

A few years ago NZRL reorganised their rep programme around seven regional zones. That’s slowly been reversed back to the old provinces but the zones remain in places as a sort of administrative hub. The Waicoa Bay Stallions preceded that as a combined Waikato, BoP and Coastline (thus Wai-Coa-Bay) rep team but Waikato in particular have been very strong on pushing their own rep side in recent years and were promoted to the main four team provincial comp which is now Auckland, Counties, Canterbury and Waikato. 

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Sorry so to answer the rest of your question the UC zone was the zone covering those three districts plus Gisborne-EC province. Mid Central was Manawatu Taranaki and Hawkes Bay. Auckland was two zones, Northern was Northland and the entire South Island was Southern

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Yeah Zone thing is a bit of a weird administrative system. Zones are Northland, (Auckland's due to population is divided into) Akarana & Counties, (Wai-Coa-Bay) called Upper Central, Mid central (Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki), Wellington, South Island.

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10 hours ago, kiwis 13 6 said:

Heres my attempt from general knowledge and what i can find online to help people understand the current situation regarding Rugby League in NZ, although this season has only started about a month ago due to covid which will affect playing numbers this year. I'll do this on a region by region basis and include relevant links.

-Te Tai Tokerau Rugby League from the Far north at the top of the country. They are not currently Affiliated with the NZRL and run there own competition. From what I can tell they have 10 Clubs, a six team mens comp, various age grade side and women's teams. https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/31-08-2019/a-day-out-at-hone-harawiras-rebel-rugby-league-competition-the-rebel-rugby-league-tournament-fostering-tino-rangatiratanga-in-the-far-north/

- Northland Rugby League. Mainly centered around Whagarei the biggest town in the region they have about 7 affiliated clubs, junior competitions and 5 team high school competition. Northern Swords is the name of there representative teams that play in NZRL tournaments. https://www.northernswords.co.nz/

- Auckland Rugby League. NZ biggest population region with 1.6 million people, home of NZ Warriors NRL franchise. The Fox memorial is arguably NZ top club competition and only local competition that currently has a semi professional element. There are 4 mens grades below the Fox memorial and masters competition as well, also 2 adult women's grades. Auckland has Jr club competitions from under 6 - under 18's grades. At high school level theirs Premier, A and U15 grades for boys and also one girls competition, these are played mid week so as not to clash with Club Competitions. At Rep level Auckland is split into two sides Akarana (North Shore, Central and West Auckland) & Counties - Manukau (South Auckland) https://www.aucklandleague.co.nz/home-1/home-1

- Waikato Rugby League. At mens Level there is Premiers and Reserve grade competition. There are Junior grade & school competitions but not to sure on the exact details. Rugby League has a  long tradition of being a popular sport in Northern Waikato towns of Huntly and Ngaruawahia. Waikato representative side has competed in the NZRL premiership. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=16-7247-0-0-0&a=COMPS

Bay Of Plenty Rugby League. 12 clubs in the bay of plenty region and currently have 10 teams mens comp with 2 of the sides coming from nearby Coastline region. Theres a womens Comp due to start in August and there youth grade competitions. https://www.sporty.co.nz/boprl/BOPDRL-Home-Page

- Coastline Rugby League. I not sure what the situation is here as top mens teams have played in the Waikato Competition and this year are in the Bay of plenty competiton. There are about 6 clubs in Coastline region and in the past has been jr and senior competitions. dont really know what happening due to covid. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-7263-0-0-0&sID=381586

Hawkes Bay Rugby League. Starting Competitions in Spetember - November. Premiers, reserves, Womens, jr grade Under5 - under 17. Rep team known as the unicorns but havent featured much in recent years for a variety of reasons. Former Kiwi Kevin Tamati is current chairman of the Hawkes Bay Rugby League. https://www.sporty.co.nz/RLHB/FIND-YOUR-LOCAL-CLUB/CLUB-CONTACTS

- Taranaki Rugby League. Theirs Seven clubs in the Taranaki region. Rep side is called the Sharks. http://www.taranakirugbyleague.org.nz/

- Manawatu Rugby League. Theres Mens, Womens and Jr grades. looks like the Wanganui sides now play in Manawatu Comp. Rep side is called the Mustangs. but not really sure whats happening due to Covid think maybe season is starting later in the year. http://www.manawaturugbyleague.co.nz/

- Wellington Rugby League. Currently has a 10 team mens competition. 6 team masters competition. Jr grades from under 6's - under 13's. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=4979  A Wellington Schools competition runs later in the year https://collegesport.org.nz/rugby-league/

- Tasman Rugby League. Looks like Jr grades will be played later this year. As far as i can tell the Senior competition folded last year. https://nelsonweekly.co.nz/2019/05/tasman-rugby-league-in-crisis/

- West Coast Rugby League. Once was the top rugby League province in NZ but due to population decline not currently a mens competition.  currently has under 5 - under 17 junior grades. From what i can see on facebook at mens level they are looking at 3 game series later between Greymouth and Wesport who are making a comeback to rugby league. https://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-7271-0-0-0&sID=24154

- Canterbury Rugby League. Outside of Auckland, Canterbury is the next best region in NZ at present. Have 8 teams in premier competition, Canterbury Cup comp below that as well as Presidents grade and a Womens comp. Have Jr grade from under 6 - Under 18's. There is some high School Rugby League in Canterbury but cant find a link to confirm the numbers of schools participating. City Council have built CRFL a boutique facility called Nga Puna Wai and that ground  hosted last years NZRL premiership final between Canterbury Bulls and Akarana. https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/

- Aoraki Rugby League. Started in 2016 in the South Canterbury/North Otago region now has a 4 team mens competition. Not sure about jr grades situation. https://www.sporty.co.nz/aorakirugbyleague/Aoraki-Juniors-Draw/tab1

- Otago Rugby League. In previous years Otago/Southland run a joint mens competiton, there are about 3 or 4 clubs in Otago region, currently have mid week 9's social competition due to covid. there is some Jr grades in Otago but not exactly sure of the details. Otago Whalers Rep Side beat Wellington Orcas 2 years ago and last year played Wellington In NZRL championship game before the NZRL premiership final in Christchurch. 

- Southland Rugby League. 4 clubs based in Southland and in previous years has been a combined Otago/Southland mens competition. Again there is some Jr grade rugby league but im not sure of exact details. Southlands Rep Side the Rams did really well a few year back and made it all the way the the play off game for the NZRL premiership. 

also Aoteroa Maori Rugby League which runs end of season tournaments based on tribal allegiances. NZ universities tournaments have been held in the past but not sure of the current status. NZ Armed Forces & NZ Police have both run tournaments in the past and had rep sides.

NZRL has suspended all competitions and tournaments for 2020 that mean no age grade or NZRL premiership this year apparently due to financial implications, so looks like local club rugby league is all there will be this year?

https://nzrl.co.nz/all-nzrl-tournaments-and-competitions-called-off-for-2020/#:~:text=2020 %2F Featured Article-,All NZRL Tournaments and Competitions called off for 2020,the remainder of the year.

 

Thanks for this @kiwis 13 6, brilliant. And while things may be declining as you say, there are still loads more competitions and clubs than I’d have expected. 

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On 16/07/2020 at 14:57, unapologetic pedant said:

You`ve answered a question I`ve been trying to find out for a while. Namely, which Auckland club Jonah Lomu played for as a junior. I knew he had been a League junior because it was mentioned in an RL magazine over here when he first burst onto the scene.

 

On 16/07/2020 at 17:22, The Rocket said:

 Tana Umaga trialed for the Knights and possibly the Tigers. Neither wanted him, hard to believe.

Umaga trialled with the Knights but went home because he was homesick.

Here he is as a young Leaguie.

 

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4 hours ago, Eddie said:

Thanks for this @kiwis 13 6, brilliant. And while things may be declining as you say, there are still loads more competitions and clubs than I’d have expected. 

Eddie, I reckon that you have to be Rugby Leagues greatest cheerleader.🙂 I always read your posts because I know they will be positive.

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