The NZRL Men's National Competition (previously called the National Zonal Competition) is the top-level rugby league competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. In 2010 the competition replaced the Bartercard Premiership following a Sparc funded review and restructure of the New Zealand Rugby League. Since 2019, the competition has consisted of a four-team national premiership and an eight-team national championship (split into North and South Island Conferences) with a promotion and relegation between the two divisions.
Current season or competition: 2022 New Zealand rugby league season | |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Formerly known as | Bartercard Premiership |
| Instituted | 2010 |
| Inaugural season | 2010 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Holders |  Akarana Falcons (2022) |
| Most titles | Akarana Falcons (9 titles) |
| Website | www.NZRL.co.nz/ |
| Broadcast partner | Sky Sport |
Trophies and awards
editSenior teams compete for the Albert Baskerville Trophy, which is named after Albert Baskerville, the organiser of the 1907-1908 All Golds tour. Under-17s compete for the Mark Graham Cup, which is named after Mark Graham, the New Zealand Rugby League player of the century. Under-15s compete for the Nathan Cayless Cup, which is named after Nathan Cayless, the only captain to win the World Cup for New Zealand.
Structure
editThe competition was reformatted for the 2016 season, with Akarana, Counties Manukau, Canterbury and Wellington competing in a national championship. The Upper Central and Mid-Central zones reverted to district teams with these teams, alongside Northland and the South Island districts, competing in four regional championships. The four regional winners then compete in a National Premiership competition, which play a promotion-relegation match against the last placed national championship side.[1]
From 2019, this changed again, with a 4-team Premiership and 8-team, two conference (North and South Island) Championship contested.
NZRL Premiership Teams
edit| Team | City/Region | Current Coach | Home Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akarana Falcons | Auckland | Steve Buckingham | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
 Canterbury Bulls | Christchurch | Andrew Auimatagi[2] | Nga Puna Wai, Christchurch |
 Counties Manukau Stingrays | South Auckland | Rod Ratu | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
 Waikato Mana | Hamilton | FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton |
NZRL Championship Teams
edit| Team | City/Region | Current Coach | Home Grounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Island Conference | |||
 Auckland Vulcans | Auckland | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland | |
 Mid-Central Vipers | New Plymouth | Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth | |
 Upper Central Stallions | Tauranga & Rotorua | Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua | |
 Wellington Orcas | Wellington | Mike Kuiti | Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua |
| South Island Conference | |||
 Aoraki Eels | South Christchurch | Nga Puna Wai, Christchurch | |
 Otago Rugby League | Dunedin | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | |
 Southland Rams | Invercargill | Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill | |
 West Coast Chargers | Greymouth | Wingham Park, Greymouth | |
Season winners
edit
Note: *In 2014 Counties Manukau were disqualified from the final for fielding an ineligible player.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "NZRL re-launch national competition for 2016". APRL. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Auimatagi new Canterbury Bulls coach". 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ Stingrays romp home in premiership final nzrl.co.nz, 17 October 2015
- ^ "Falcons fly high for premiership crown".