Ron Ackland
Encyclopedia
Ronald Charles "Ron" Ackland is a New Zealand
former rugby league
player and coach who represented his country
in the 1957
and 1960 World Cups
and coached his country in the 1977 World Cup
. His nephew, John, also played for New Zealand.
's District era he played for Eastern Districts. In 1960 Ackland won the inaugural Rothville Trophy
for player of the year, a feat he repeated in 1961.
He was selected for New Zealand in 1954 and went on to play in 18 test matches for the Kiwis. He was part of the 1957
and 1960 World Cup
squads. He captained the Kiwis twice in 1961. Ackland, along with Neville Denton
and Gary Phillips
, withdrew from the 1961 tour of Great Britain due to a dispute over allowances.
as the Auckland Rugby League
's coach of the year.
Ackland became the coach of New Zealand in 1977, taking the squad to the 1977 World Cup
. In his two year reign the Kiwis won 1 out of six test matches.
"Legend of League" in 1995. He is an Auckland Rugby League
Immortal.
In 2009 he was named in the New Zealand Rugby League Team of the Century in the second row.
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...
former rugby league
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...
player and coach who represented his country
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
in the 1957
1957 Rugby League World Cup
The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....
and 1960 World Cups
1960 Rugby League World Cup
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain. The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table....
and coached his country in the 1977 World Cup
1977 Rugby League World Cup
- Final standings :-Final:Great Britain were the underdogs going to the final, which was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They managed to dominate the possession, and it took a last minute try from Australia’s John Kolc to secure the Cup in front of 24,457 spectators.Australia: Graham Eadie;...
. His nephew, John, also played for New Zealand.
Playing career
Ackland was a Mt Wellington player. During the Auckland Rugby LeagueAuckland 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 District era he played for Eastern Districts. In 1960 Ackland won the inaugural Rothville Trophy
Auckland Rugby League club trophies
-Trophies:There are approximately 24 trophies which have been competed for in Auckland Rugby League history by clubs. These include the following for teams; Fox Memorial Shield, Rukutai Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield, A.R.L Trophy, Sharman Cup, Lawson Cup, Walmsley Shield, ARL...
for player of the year, a feat he repeated in 1961.
He was selected for New Zealand in 1954 and went on to play in 18 test matches for the Kiwis. He was part of the 1957
1957 Rugby League World Cup
The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....
and 1960 World Cup
1960 Rugby League World Cup
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain. The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table....
squads. He captained the Kiwis twice in 1961. Ackland, along with Neville Denton
Neville Denton
Neville Denton is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1954 and 1960 World Cups.-Playing career:Denton, an Auckland representative, played in 13 Test matches for the New Zealand Kiwis between 1954 and 1963. During this time Denton attended the 1954, 1957 and...
and Gary Phillips
Gary Phillips (rugby league)
Gary Phillips is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1960 World Cup.-Playing career:Phillips played in the Auckland Rugby League competition and represented Auckland. In 1957 he toured Australia with the Auckland junior team.He was first selected for the New...
, withdrew from the 1961 tour of Great Britain due to a dispute over allowances.
Coaching career
After retirement Ackland became Mt Wellington's head coach. In 1976 he won the Hyland Memorial CupAuckland Rugby League club trophies
-Trophies:There are approximately 24 trophies which have been competed for in Auckland Rugby League history by clubs. These include the following for teams; Fox Memorial Shield, Rukutai Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield, A.R.L Trophy, Sharman Cup, Lawson Cup, Walmsley Shield, ARL...
as 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 coach of the year.
Ackland became the coach of New Zealand in 1977, taking the squad to the 1977 World Cup
1977 Rugby League World Cup
- Final standings :-Final:Great Britain were the underdogs going to the final, which was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They managed to dominate the possession, and it took a last minute try from Australia’s John Kolc to secure the Cup in front of 24,457 spectators.Australia: Graham Eadie;...
. In his two year reign the Kiwis won 1 out of six test matches.
Awards
Ackland was inducted as a New Zealand Rugby LeagueNew 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....
"Legend of League" in 1995. He is an 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...
Immortal.
In 2009 he was named in the New Zealand Rugby League Team of the Century in the second row.