1970 New Zealand rugby league season
Encyclopedia
The 1970 New Zealand rugby league season was the 63rd season of rugby league
that had been played in New Zealand
.
under coach Morrie Church
. The Kiwis then headed to Great Britain and France for the World Cup
. They defeated France but lost to Great Britain
and Australia. The team was coached by Lory Blanchard
and included Mocky Brereton
, Roy Christian
, Graeme Cooksley, Bill Deacon, Doug Gailey, Lummy Graham, John Greengrass, Eddie Heatley, Elliot Kereopa, Tony Kriletich, Don Ladner
, Bernie Lowther
, Bob McGuinn, Colin O'Neil, Garry Smith, John Whittaker
and Gary Woollard. Brian Anderson was ruled out of the squad due to injury.
To end its seven match New Zealand tour, Great Britain defeated Auckland
23-8 at Carlaw Park
. Auckland included; Mike McClennan
, Roy Christian
, Wayne Redmond, Paul Matete
, John Dagg, Fred Schuster, Eric Carson, Eddie Moore, Len Morgan, Brian Lee
, Ray Williams, Ernie Wiggs
and captain Tony Kriletich. Roger Bailey
was to have captained Auckland but withdrew.
Auckland
defeated New South Wales Country 20-12.
Roy Christian
won the New Zealand Rugby League
's player of the year award. Ron McGregor was elected as the New Zealand Rugby League's president and chairman, roles he would hold for seventeen years.
at the end of the season after they had defeated the West Coast
20-16 at the Addington Showgrounds.
were eliminated by Waikato 36-11 in a semi final in Huntly.
Earlier in the season Auckland had defeated Wellington 30-8 and Canterbury 42-17. At the same time Auckland B defeated Waikato 19-11.
Canterbury changed from the red and black hoop design they had worn for the last 16 years and adopted a red jersey with a black and white vee.
Roy Christian
, Eddie Heatley, Bernie Lowther
, Henry Tatana
and Roger Bailey
played for Auckland while Waikato included Don Parkinson and Bill Deacon.
Canterbury included Mocky Brereton
, Graeme Cooksley, John Greengrass, Alan Rushton, captain Rodney Walker, Jim Fisher and Jim White.
Don Ladner
played for the West Coast
.
won the Auckland Rugby League
's Fox Memorial Trophy and Roope Rooster. They defeated Mount Albert 10-5 in the Fox Memorial grand final. Mount Albert won the Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield and Rukutai Shield. Te Atatu
and Point Chevalier
shared the Sharman Cup while Northcote
won the Norton Cup.
Ray Williams, from Richmond
, won the Lipscombe Cup, Tony Kriletic, from Marist
, won the Rothville Trophy, Mike McLennan, from Ponsonby
, won the Tetley Trophy, Ernie Wiggs
, from Otahuhu, again won the Painter Rosebowl Trophy and Simon Yates from Otahuhu won the Hyland Memorial Cup.
Brian Anderson and Eddie Heatley played for Otahuhu
. Anderson would sign with the North Sydney Bears
in 1972, being joined by Heatley in 1973.
's Appleton Shield.
The Wellington Council
grants the Rugby League use of a city-centre park that is renamed Rugby League Park.
's Pat Smith Challenge Trophy, defeating Marist-Western Suburbs 21-2. Papanui won the Massetti Cup while Hornby won the Gore Cup.
The first floodlight Canterbury club fixture was a Vivian Cup challenge played between Linwood and Marist at English Park
on 30 September.
Jim White (Addington) won the D.V. Syme Rosebowl as Sportsman of the year while Norm Geddes (Papanui) won the A.G.Bailey Challenge Cup and Hugh Butler (Papanui) and John Rosanowski (Linwood) shared the Turner and Le Brun Cup (goals).
Mocky Brereton
joined Marist-Western Suburbs while Jim Bond
was the coach of University.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
that had been played in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
International competitions
New Zealand lost a series 0-3 to Great BritainGreat Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
under coach Morrie Church
Morrie Church
Morrie Church was a New Zealand rugby league coach who coached New Zealand.-Playing career:Church coached Miramar in the Wellington Rugby League competition and in 1970 coached the New Zealand Kiwis for three matches in 1970.-References:...
. The Kiwis then headed to Great Britain and France for the World Cup
1970 Rugby League World Cup
The fifth Rugby League World Cup was held in Great Britain in 1970. Britain, fresh from defeating Australia in the Ashes, were hot favourites, and won all three of their group stage games. All the other nations lost two games each, and Australia qualified for the final largely on the back of an...
. They defeated France but lost to Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
and Australia. The team was coached by Lory Blanchard
Lory Blanchard
David Lory Blanchard is a New Zealand former rugby league player and coach who represented his country in the 1954 World Cup and coached them at the 1970 World Cup.-Early years:...
and included Mocky Brereton
Mocky Brereton
Maurice "Mocky" Patrick Brereton is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1970 and 1972 World Cups and one match in the 1975 World Championship Series.-Playing career:...
, Roy Christian
Roy Christian
Fletcher Roy Christian MBE is a New Zealand retired international rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A centre three-quarter, he captained his country in the sport.-Playing career:...
, Graeme Cooksley, Bill Deacon, Doug Gailey, Lummy Graham, John Greengrass, Eddie Heatley, Elliot Kereopa, Tony Kriletich, Don Ladner
Don Ladner
Gordon Charles "Don" Ladner was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country. Ladner's position of preference was at fullback.-Playing career:Ladner worked in a mine in Reefton....
, Bernie Lowther
Bernie Lowther
Bernard Ross "Bernie" Lowther was a rugby league footballer of the 1970s. A New Zealand international three-quarter, he played club football for the Richmond Rovers in the Auckland Rugby League competition and in Sydney's NSWRFL Premiership for Canterbury-Bankstown and South Sydney.-References:...
, Bob McGuinn, Colin O'Neil, Garry Smith, John Whittaker
John Whittaker (rugby league)
John Albert Whittaker is a former New Zealand rugby league player who represented both New Zealand and the Cook Islands.-Playing career:From the Randwick club, Whittaker also played for Wellington...
and Gary Woollard. Brian Anderson was ruled out of the squad due to injury.
To end its seven match New Zealand tour, Great Britain defeated Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
23-8 at Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.-History:The stadium's grandstands and terraces were built in 1916, and it became the home of rugby league in Auckland from 1921...
. Auckland included; Mike McClennan
Mike McClennan
Michael James "Mike" McClennan is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach who represented his country. He is the father of Brian McClennan.-Playing career:...
, Roy Christian
Roy Christian
Fletcher Roy Christian MBE is a New Zealand retired international rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A centre three-quarter, he captained his country in the sport.-Playing career:...
, Wayne Redmond, Paul Matete
Paul Matete
Paul Matete is a New Zealand former rugby league player and coach who represented his country in the 1975 World Cup.-Playing career:A player for Otahuhu in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Matete was an Auckland representative. He won the Tetley Trophy in 1971 as the Auckland Rugby League's...
, John Dagg, Fred Schuster, Eric Carson, Eddie Moore, Len Morgan, Brian Lee
Brian Lee (rugby league)
Brian Stanley Lee was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country.-Playing career:Lee played for the Papakura club in the Auckland Rugby League competition and was a Auckland representative. Lee first made the New Zealand Kiwis in 1961 where he played in three Test matches...
, Ray Williams, Ernie Wiggs
Ernie Wiggs
Ernest David "Ernie" Wiggs is a former New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1968 World Cup.-Playing career:Wiggs played for Otahuhu in the Auckland Rugby League competition. An Auckland representative, Wiggs was selected for New Zealand in 1964 for a Test against...
and captain Tony Kriletich. Roger Bailey
Roger Bailey (rugby league)
Roger Wayne Bailey is a former New Zealand rugby league player and coach who represented his country thirty times between 1961 and 1970. His brother Gary also played for New Zealand while his brother Bob later coached New Zealand and his son David was also a professional player...
was to have captained Auckland but withdrew.
Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
defeated New South Wales Country 20-12.
Roy Christian
Roy Christian
Fletcher Roy Christian MBE is a New Zealand retired international rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A centre three-quarter, he captained his country in the sport.-Playing career:...
won the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
's player of the year award. Ron McGregor was elected as the New Zealand Rugby League's president and chairman, roles he would hold for seventeen years.
Rugby League Cup
Canterbury held the Rugby League CupRugby League Cup
The Rugby League Cup is a New Zealand rugby league trophy that is currently contested between districts on a challenge basis. The trophy was originally known as the Northern Union Cup...
at the end of the season after they had defeated the West Coast
West Coast rugby league team
The West Coast rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the West Coast Rugby League. They have been nicknamed the Chargers.-History:...
20-16 at the Addington Showgrounds.
Inter-district competition
Wellington won the Rothmans trophy, defeating Waikato 27-21 in the final. AucklandAuckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
were eliminated by Waikato 36-11 in a semi final in Huntly.
Earlier in the season Auckland had defeated Wellington 30-8 and Canterbury 42-17. At the same time Auckland B defeated Waikato 19-11.
Canterbury changed from the red and black hoop design they had worn for the last 16 years and adopted a red jersey with a black and white vee.
Roy Christian
Roy Christian
Fletcher Roy Christian MBE is a New Zealand retired international rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A centre three-quarter, he captained his country in the sport.-Playing career:...
, Eddie Heatley, Bernie Lowther
Bernie Lowther
Bernard Ross "Bernie" Lowther was a rugby league footballer of the 1970s. A New Zealand international three-quarter, he played club football for the Richmond Rovers in the Auckland Rugby League competition and in Sydney's NSWRFL Premiership for Canterbury-Bankstown and South Sydney.-References:...
, Henry Tatana
Henry Tatana
Henry Nardy Tatana was a rugby league player for the Glenora Bears, Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Dragons, Cessnock Goannas and New Zealand national side.-Playing career:...
and Roger Bailey
Roger Bailey (rugby league)
Roger Wayne Bailey is a former New Zealand rugby league player and coach who represented his country thirty times between 1961 and 1970. His brother Gary also played for New Zealand while his brother Bob later coached New Zealand and his son David was also a professional player...
played for Auckland while Waikato included Don Parkinson and Bill Deacon.
Canterbury included Mocky Brereton
Mocky Brereton
Maurice "Mocky" Patrick Brereton is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1970 and 1972 World Cups and one match in the 1975 World Championship Series.-Playing career:...
, Graeme Cooksley, John Greengrass, Alan Rushton, captain Rodney Walker, Jim Fisher and Jim White.
Don Ladner
Don Ladner
Gordon Charles "Don" Ladner was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country. Ladner's position of preference was at fullback.-Playing career:Ladner worked in a mine in Reefton....
played for the West Coast
West Coast rugby league team
The West Coast rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the West Coast Rugby League. They have been nicknamed the Chargers.-History:...
.
Auckland
OtahuhuOtahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
won the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
's Fox Memorial Trophy and Roope Rooster. They defeated Mount Albert 10-5 in the Fox Memorial grand final. Mount Albert won the Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield and Rukutai Shield. Te Atatu
Te Atatu Roosters
The Te Atatu Roosters is a rugby league club based in Te Atatu. The Roosters compete in the Fox Memorial, the premier division in Auckland Rugby League...
and Point Chevalier
Point Chevalier Pirates
The Point Chevalier Pirates are an Auckland rugby league club based in Point Chevalier. The Pirates currently compete in the Phelan Shield competition run by the Auckland Rugby League.-History:The club was founded in 1920....
shared the Sharman Cup while Northcote
Northcote Tigers
The Northcote Tigers are a rugby league club based in Northcote, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1910 as the Northcote Warriors.The Tigers compete in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. Between 2000 and 2002 the Northcote Tigers competed in the national Bartercard...
won the Norton Cup.
Ray Williams, from Richmond
Richmond Rovers
The Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club is a rugby league club based in Grey Lynn, New Zealand. The premier team is called the Richmond Bulldogs and compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.-Bartercard Cup:...
, won the Lipscombe Cup, Tony Kriletic, from Marist
Marist Saints
The Marist Saints is a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. They regularly feature in the Fox Memorial, the premier division in Auckland Rugby League...
, won the Rothville Trophy, Mike McLennan, from Ponsonby
Ponsonby Ponies
The Ponsonby Ponies are a rugby league club based in Ponsonby, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1908 and competes in the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.-History:...
, won the Tetley Trophy, Ernie Wiggs
Ernie Wiggs
Ernest David "Ernie" Wiggs is a former New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1968 World Cup.-Playing career:Wiggs played for Otahuhu in the Auckland Rugby League competition. An Auckland representative, Wiggs was selected for New Zealand in 1964 for a Test against...
, from Otahuhu, again won the Painter Rosebowl Trophy and Simon Yates from Otahuhu won the Hyland Memorial Cup.
Brian Anderson and Eddie Heatley played for Otahuhu
Otahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
. Anderson would sign with the North Sydney Bears
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
in 1972, being joined by Heatley in 1973.
Wellington
Randwick won the Wellington Rugby LeagueWellington 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 Wellington rugby league team.- Local Senior Competition :The...
's Appleton Shield.
The Wellington Council
Wellington City
Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Wellington city extends as far north as Linden, and includes the rural areas of Makara and Ohariu. It is New Zealand's third-largest city, behind Auckland and Christchurch.Wellington attained city status in...
grants the Rugby League use of a city-centre park that is renamed Rugby League Park.
Canterbury
Linwood won the Canterbury Rugby LeagueCanterbury 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 league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
's Pat Smith Challenge Trophy, defeating Marist-Western Suburbs 21-2. Papanui won the Massetti Cup while Hornby won the Gore Cup.
The first floodlight Canterbury club fixture was a Vivian Cup challenge played between Linwood and Marist at English Park
English Park
English Park is a multi-use stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Canterbury United. The stadium has a capacity of 9,000 people....
on 30 September.
Jim White (Addington) won the D.V. Syme Rosebowl as Sportsman of the year while Norm Geddes (Papanui) won the A.G.Bailey Challenge Cup and Hugh Butler (Papanui) and John Rosanowski (Linwood) shared the Turner and Le Brun Cup (goals).
Mocky Brereton
Mocky Brereton
Maurice "Mocky" Patrick Brereton is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1970 and 1972 World Cups and one match in the 1975 World Championship Series.-Playing career:...
joined Marist-Western Suburbs while Jim Bond
Jim Bond (rugby league)
James Arthur "Jim" Bond is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country fourteen times, including captaining the side in the 1968 World Cup.-Playing career:...
was the coach of University.