22 October 2021
In light of yesterday’s Covid announcement, the following National Competition games have been cancelled due to a Level 3 extension in the Waikato: Waikato Mana v Upper Central Zone Men and remaining Upper Central Women’s games against Mid Central and Canterbury. The competition points for each game will be shared.
The National Competition finals are taking place next Saturday, 30 October at Nga Puna Wai stadium in Christchurch.
Canterbury Women and Wellington Orcas Women will face off in the Sky Sport National Women’s competition final at 12 pm. Then the Canterbury Bulls will take on the Upper Central Stallions in the National Men’s Final at 2 pm. Both games will be televised live on Sky Sport.
*Please note there are no Waikato based players in the Upper Central Stallions Men’s team.
The 2nd place Final between the Otago Whalers and Wellington Orcas is also scheduled for Saturday 30 October; kick-off time and broadcasting are to be confirmed pending travel arrangements.
NZRL would like to thank all zones, districts and players for their understanding and co-operation during this time.
In the meantime, NZRL encourages all those in Level 3 regions, Tāmaki Makaurau and Waikato, to stick to their bubbles, wear a face mask, and continue to abide by Covid protocol.
Any person feeling unwell or presenting cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms should immediately contact their doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
17 October 2021
Puketawhero Park in Rotorua played host to the Upper Central Stallions and Wellington Orcas, in their National Men’s Competition matchup. Upper Central showed no signs of rust despite this being their first outing in the tournament and sailed to a 30-12 win over Wellington. This win moved the Stallions into second in the Central pool, with Waikato leading due to points differential.
Canterbury and Wellington women put on a thrilling 20-20 draw at Christchurch’s Nga Puna Wai. Canterbury possessed a slight advantage into the half and pushed it further by striking early in the second. With the game in the balance at 20-16, Wellington produced the spectacular, scoring with only seconds on the clock to level the scores but were unable to convert leaving both teams to share the honours. This result places both teams tied at the top of the leaderboard with three points each, only separated by points difference and with Canterbury possessing a game in hand.
The Upper Central Stallions convincingly got the win over the Mid Central Vipers with a 58-10 victory, keeping them at second place in the Central Men’s pool. Nga Puna Wai then played host to the upset of the season as first placed Bulls took on second place Otago Whalers for the first time in 50 years.
It was the Whalers that came out firing scoring the first points for the game but the Bulls didn’t take long to answer back. The Whalers kept their upper hand throughout the first half and despite conversion misses, they lead the home side favourites 18 points to 12 at the break.
The Whalers determination didn’t waver at halftime as they came out of the sheds hungry for a win. The Bulls managed to keep themselves in the contest, as the final five minutes was a nail biter for both coaches with only eight points between the two. However, the gutsy Otago outfit came away with a historic 36 – 28 victory over the Canterbury Bulls closing off an outstanding day of footy at Christchurch’s Nga Puna Wai stadium.
30 October 2020
This Saturday, the Trust’s Stadium in Auckland will host the final clashes of the New Zealand Rugby League National competition showcasing the best grassroots talent from up and down the country. Here NZRL will crown the Women’s and Men’s Championship winners and Sky Sport Women’s and NZRL Men’s Premiership champions. For those who can’t make it, the Championship games will be live-streamed on NZRL’s Facebook page thanks to Radio Tainui, and the Sky Sport and Men’s Premierships will be televised live on Sky Sport and Fox Sport/Foxtel for Australian viewers.
Women’s Championship Final 10:30 am – Field 2
Upper Central Stallions vs Auckland Vulcans.
The Women’s Championship Final will see the Upper Central Stallions take on the Auckland Vulcans. Upper Central go into the game with the upper hand after they defeated Auckland 18-14 behind in a clinical display from fullback Autumn Stephens. Stephens continued her form throughout to land a spot in the Kiwi Fern’s wider squad and will be a player to watch in this matchup. This final will commence the jam-packed day of rugby league action with a 10:30 am kick-off. Thanks to radio Tainui the game will be live-streamed on NZRL Facebook page.
Men’s Championship Final 12:15 pm Field 2
Northern Swords vs Otago Whalers.
The North Island Champions; The Northern Swords will take on South Island Champions; Otago Whalers in this North v South battle at 12:15pm. The Swords, off the back of great play from half Levita Levita and deep backs Eroni Biukoto and Matthew Kahle secured a spot in the final after Wellington upset the Upper Central Stallions in the last game of the tournament. South of the Cook Strait, it wasn’t as close of an affair as Otago went through the tournament undefeated to book their spot in tomorrow’s final.
Thanks to radio Tainui the game will be live-streamed on NZRL Facebook page.
Sky Sport Women’s Premiership Final 2:05 pm Field 1
Counties Manukau Stingrays. vs Akarana Falcons.
Counties Manukau will be looking to secure an 11th straight Women’s title win when they face the Akarana Falcons tomorrow in the Sky Sport Women’s Premiership final. Both teams dominated the Premiership competition but it’s Counties going in as favourites as they remain undefeated. The two met on October 10th and Counties ran away with a dominant 40-10 win, but with the quality of Apii Nichols at the back and Jules Newman on the edge, Akarana will look to bounce back against the Stingray side. Counties captain and Kiwi Fern Krystal Rota will look to provide the same spark she did on that day and lead her team to another winning Title. With the Kiwi Ferns’ selectors looking to narrow the wider squad post-finals, this is shaping up to be a passionate affair with much on the line.
Kick-off at the Trust’s Stadium is at 2:05 pm and the game is televised live on Sky Sport 4 and Fox Sport / Foxtel.
Men’s Premiership Final 4:05 pm Field 1
Akarana Falcons vs Counties Manukau Stingrays.
In the same vein as their women counterparts, both Counties and Akarana dominated through the competition to reach the Premiership Final. However, they were unable to be separated in their October 10th matchup as the game ended spectacularly in a 12 all draw. The matchup between halves Drew Radich of Akarana and Stingrays Samuel Nati will be an exciting affair as both have been in sublime form throughout, marshalling their troops well. Akarana will be determined to defend their crown in the last game of the evening in what will be a much-anticipated re-match and one not to miss.
Kick-off is at 4:05 pm and the game is televised live on Sky Sport 4 and Fox Sport / Foxtel.
