NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM

(Redirected from New Zealand Kiwis)
The 'New Zealand national rugby league' side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the 'Kiwis', after the native bird of that name. They are administered by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Kiwis were briefly considered world champions, until the 25th of November, 2006, when they were narrowly defeated by the Australian Kangaroos.
The Kiwis have never won the Rugby League World Cup, although they reached the final in 1988 and 2000. They contest the Baskerville Shield against Great Britain, and play an annual ANZAC Test against Australia.

Contents
History
The Professional All Blacks
The All Golds
The tour
The Kiwis
Players
Current squad
Notable players
Results
New Zealand A
Tests
Kiwis Results By Year
See also
Sources
External links

History


Rugby football was introduced into New Zealand by Charles John Monro, son of the then speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, Sir David Monro. He had been sent to Christ's College, East Finchley in north London, where he became an enthusiastic convert to the new code. He brought the game back to his native Nelson, and arranged the first rugby match between Nelson College and Nelson Football Club, played on May 14, 1870.
When New Zealand's national rugby team (the All Blacks) toured Britain in 1905 they witnessed the growing popularity of the breakway non-amateur Northern Union's games. On his return in 1906, All Black George William Smith met the Australian entrepreneur J.J. Giltinan to discuss the potential of professional rugby in Australasia. The first New Zealand team to play professional rugby was known as the All Blacks. To avoid confusion, the terms professional All Blacks or All Golds are used.
The Professional All Blacks

In the meantime, a lesser known New Zealand rugby player, Albert Henry Baskerville (or Baskiville) was ready to recruit a group of players for a professional tour of Great Britain. It is believed that Baskerville became aware of the profits to be made from such a venture while he was working at the Wellington Post Office in 1906. A colleague had a coughing fit and dropped a British newspaper. Baskerville picked it up and noticed a report about a Northern Union (NU) match that over 40,000 people had attended.
Baskerville wrote to the NRFU asking if they would host a New Zealand touring party. The 1905 All Blacks tour were still fresh in English minds, thus the NU saw a competitive New Zealand tour as exceptional opportunity to raise the profile and finances of the NU game. The NU agreed to the tour provided that some of those original All Blacks were included in the New Zealand team. George Smith arrived back in New Zealand and after learning of Baskerville's plans, the two teamed up and began signing players.
The New Zealand Rugby Union became aware of the tour and promptly applied pressure to any All Black or New Zealand representative player it suspected of involvement. They had the New Zealand Government's Agent General in London deliver a statement to the British press in an effort to undermine the tour's credibility. This had little effect and by that time the professional All Blacks were already sailing across the Tasman to give Australia its first taste of professional rugby.
The All Golds

It was during this time that references to the professional All Blacks as the "All Golds" first appeared.
Clearly, "All Golds" was a play on the amateur "All Blacks" name but it was also an insult to the players, criticising the arrangement where they would each share in the wealth of the tour. The name "All Golds" is now thought to have originated in a New Zealand newspaper in May/June 1907 (see panel below), amidst editorial arguments over whether it was honourable for the proposed "professional All Blacks" team to be paid.
The first documented use in Australia was in a headline in the Sydney Morning Herald (August 7), just before Baskerville's team arrived. Interestingly, those same Herald articles also had a tag for those who supported the amateur rugby union calling them the "Lily Whites" (who were clean, pure, and repelled the evils of professionalism).
The tour

Professional rugby in the southern hemisphere kicked off with the professional All Blacks playing a professional rebel New South Wales team organised by Smith's contact, James Giltinan. The games drew little interest to start with, but were a major success for the rugby rebels of Australia, as they finally had the money to start the first professional Rugby Football League and hence change the face of rugby in Australia.
New Zealand finally made it to Great Britain in 1907. At this time professional rugby, under the banner of the Northern Union, was not played by the RFU rules which was all the All Golds knew. The All Golds took on a week of intensive training after which they started the tour. From a New Zealander's point of view, the tour may not have been successful, but to the All Gold's credit they performed well considering they only had a week to learn the rules. However, from the NU's point of view the tour would have been a godsend, because professional rugby was left in a better state than when they arrived. The tour's results were seen the following year when the NRFU clubs more than doubled their membership numbers. The tour had obviously excited the public, raised the profile of their game as well as the game's finances.
During their return voyage from England, the All Golds made a stop-over in Australia where they discovered that professional rugby was being played with Northern Union rules, under the banner of the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL). The All Golds played another 10 games in Australia, boosting the finances of the fledging NSWRFL premiership; making the All Golds tour one of the most significant contributions to the sport of rugby league in Australia.
The Kiwis

New Zealand team shirt

The NZRU was able to control a lot of what the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) was able to get its hands on. In 1926, the Union took legal action, trying to stop the League from using the name, the "All Blacks" as their touring name. The NZRL felt that they had equal ownership to the name and were not ready to relinquish it. However by this time the press had already nicknamed the team 'the Kiwis', because of the badge included on their jerseys. Despite the League trying to discourage its usage, the name has stuck ever since.
The Kiwis were unbeaten in any test series from 1948 to 1951 and won six of their nine tests.
During the 1961–63 era, New Zealand won seven out of ten test matches, including a 2–0 series win over Great Britain, then considered the top rugby league nation in the world. The most outstanding performance by the New Zealanders was their record-breaking 19–0 win over Britain in 1962. It was only the second time a British team had been held scoreless.
The Kiwis have a proud World Cup history and although they have yet to win the competition, they have appeared in the final twice. In 1988, New Zealand just pipped Great Britain for a place in the final against Australia. Played at Eden Park in Auckland, it was the most hyped game in the history of rugby league in New Zealand, and the crowd of 47,363 was the biggest ever for a game in Auckland. Sadly for the Kiwis, the final proved to be a huge anti-climax and they were outplayed by the Aussies.
New Zealand almost got their revenge on Australia in the 1995 World Cup semi-final when, with the scores level at 20-20, a last minute drop-goal attempt by skipper Matthew Ridge brushed the wrong side of the post, allowing the game to go into extra-time. From there, Australia went on to win.
The Kiwis again made the final in the 2000 World Cup, but again went down to the Kangaroos 40-12.
Since 2002, a 'New Zealand A' team has been selected from players in the domestic New Zealand competition. New Zealand A toured France and the United States in 2002, and the United Kingdom in 2003. In 2004 they hosted New South Wales Country.
2005 would be considered one of the Kiwis greatest years, as they captured the 2005 Tri-Nations title, effectively becoming "de facto" World champions as the three best countries compete in that competition. In the course of winning the Tri-Nations the Kiwis defeated Australia in Sydney for the first time in half a century. In London the Kiwis posted their highest score ever against Great Britain, and in winning the final posted the first shut out of Australia in 20 years. The 24-0 result at Elland Road, Leeds equalled the Kiwis' biggest ever win against Australia - a 49-25 win in Brisbane almost 50 years ago. The repercussions for the Australian rugby league team were huge, as long-time coach Wayne Bennett quit his post to be replaced by Sydney Roosters coach, Ricky Stuart. However, in New Zealand, Brian McClennan earned praise from the press and signed an extension to his coaching tenure with the Kiwis.
The 2006 Tri-nations brought controversy when New Zealand fielded an ineligible player, Nathan Fien, against Great Britain and were later stripped of the two points earned from their 18-14 win. [1]
New Zealand has been granted automatic qualification to the 2008 World Cup.

Players


Current squad

''As of April 16, 2007'':
NameDOBHeightWeightPositionClubCaps (points)
Roy Asotasi May 26, 1983 1.84 m 103 kg Prop forward South Sydney 16 (0)
Nathan Cayless March 28, 1978 1.83 m 101 kg Prop forward Parramatta 32 (24)
Greg Eastwood March 10, 1987 1.83 m 105 kg Utility Brisbane 2 (0)
David Fa'alogo September 9, 1980 1.80 m 104 kg Lock forward South Sydney 5 (0)
David Faiumu April 30, 1983 1.80 m 95 kg Hooker Nth Queensland 6 (4)
Dene Halatau January 27, 1983 1.78 m 89 kg Hooker Wests 7 (0)
Krisnan Inu March 17, 1987 1.85 m 98 kg Fullback Parramatta 1 (0)
Simon Mannering August 28, 1986 1.90 m 102 kg Centre Warriors 5 (0)
Benji Marshall February 25, 1985 1.81 m 90 kg Five-Eighth Wests 3 (2)
Frank Pritchard November 3, 1983 1.87 m 109 kg Prop forward Penrith 8 (4)
Tony Puletua June 25, 1979 1.92 m 110 kg Second-row forward Penrith 21 (12)
Sam Rapira April 8, 1987 1.84 m 106 kg Prop forward Warriors 1 (0)
Ben Roberts July 8, 1985 1.80 m 90 kg Halfback Bulldogs 1 (0)
Iosia Soliola August 4, 1986 1.87 m 100 kg Centre Sydney 5 (16)
Evarn Tuimavave June 28, 1984 1.83 m 108 kg Prop forward Warriors - (-)
Manu Vatuvei March 4, 1986 1.89 m 109 kg Wing Warriors 11 (20)
Jake Webster 28 October, 1983 1.82 m 94 kg Centre Gold Coast 2 (0)
Paul Whatuira July 31, 1981 1.83 m 92 kg Centre Wests 8 (4)
Sonny Bill Williams August 3, 1985 1.91 m 106 kg Second-row forward Bulldogs 6 (8)

Notable players


Mark Graham

Stacey Jones

Benji Marshall

Jarrod McCracken

Gary Freeman

Hugh McGahan

Paul Rauhihi

Henry Paul

Robbie Paul

Matthew Ridge

Kevin Tamati

Lance Todd

Daryl Halligan

Des White

Nathan Fien

Ruben Wiki

Sonny Bill Williams

Roy Asotasi

Gavin Hill

David Kidwell

Results


New Zealand A


★ New Zealand A def. Australian Invitational XIII 48-18 (22 October 2006)

★ New Zealand A def. Australian Invitational XIII 40-16 (15 October 2005)

★ National League 1 Representative def. New Zealand A 40-28 (2 November 2003)

Great Britain def. New Zealand A 52-18 (29 October 2003)

Warrington Wolves def. New Zealand A 28-26 (26 October 2003)

★ National League 2 Representative def. New Zealand A 27-6 (22 October 2003)

★ New Zealand A drew Cumbria 24-24 (19 October 2003)

★ New Zealand A def. USA 74-4 (6 October 2002)

France def. New Zealand A (29 September 2002)
Tests

''See:''

Baskerville Shield

ANZAC Test

Rugby League Tri-Nations

Rugby League World Cup
Kiwis Results By Year

'2006'

★ Kiwis 12 - 50 Australia, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (ANZAC Test)

★ Kiwis 14 - 46 Great Britain, Knowsley Road, St. Helens

★ Kiwis 18 - 30 Australia, Mt Smart Stadium, New Zealand (Tri-Nations)

★ Kiwis 15 - 20 Australia, Telstra Dome, Melbourne (Tri-Nations)

★ Kiwis 18 - 14 Great Britain, Jade Stadium, Christchurch (Tri-Nations)

★ Kiwis 34 - 4 New Zealand Residents, Wingham Park, Greymouth

★ Kiwis 34 - 4 Great Britain, Westpac Stadium, Wellington (Tri-Nations)

★ Kiwis 12 - 16 Australia (extra time), Aussie Stadium, Sydney, (Tri Nations Final)
'2005'

★ Kiwis 16 - 32 Australia, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (ANZAC Test)

★ Kiwis 38 - 28 Australia, Telstra Stadium, Sydney (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 26 - 28 Australia, Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 42 - 26 Great Britain, Loftus Road, London (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 30 - 22 England, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington

★ Kiwis 12 - 38 Great Britain, Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 38 - 22 France, Toulouse

★ Kiwis 24 - 0 Australia, Elland Road, Leeds (Tri Nations Final)
'2004'

★ Kiwis 10 - 37 Australia, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle (ANZAC Test)

★ Kiwis 16 - 16 Australia, North Harbour Stadium, Albany (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 12 - 32 Australia, Loftus Road, London (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 12 - 22 Great Britain, Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 24 - 20 France, Stade Albert Domec, Carcassonne

★ Kiwis 24 - 26 Great Britain, KC Stadium, Hull (Tri Nations)
'2003'

★ Kiwis 6 - 48 Australia, Aussie Stadium, Sydney (ANZAC Test)

★ Kiwis 30 - 16 Australia, North Harbour Stadium, Albany
'2002'

★ Kiwis 24 - 32 Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

★ Kiwis 50 - 22 Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

★ Kiwis 30 - 16 Great Britain, Ewood Park, Blackburn

★ Kiwis 14 - 14 Great Britain, McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield

★ Kiwis 10 - 16 Great Britain, JJB Stadium, Wigan

★ Kiwis 36 - 10 France, Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan
'2001'

★ Kiwis 36 - 0 France, Ericsson Stadium, Auckland

★ Kiwis 10 - 28 Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
'2000'

★ Kiwis 0 - 52 Australia, Telstra Stadium, Sydney (ANZAC Test)

★ Kiwis 64 - 0 Lebanon, KC Stadium, Hull (World Cup)

★ Kiwis 84 - 10 Cook Islands, Madejski Stadium, Reading (World Cup)

★ Kiwis 58 - 18 Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (World Cup)

★ Kiwis 54 - 6 France, The Jungle, Castleford (World Cup Quarter Final)

★ Kiwis 49 - 6 England, Reebok Stadium, Bolton ((World Cup Semi Final)

★ Kiwis 12 - 40 Australia, Old Trafford, Manchester (World Cup Final)
'1999'

★ Kiwis 14 - 20 Australia, Telstra Stadium, Sydney

★ Kiwis 24 - 22 Australia, Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 74 - 0 Tonga, Carlaw Park, Auckland

★ Kiwis 26 - 4 Great Britain, Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Tri Nations)

★ Kiwis 20 - 22 Australia, Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Tri Nations Final)
'1998'

★ Kiwis 22 - 12 Australia, North Harbour Stadium, Albany (ANZAC Test)

★ Kiwis 12 - 30 Australia, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

★ Kiwis 16 - 36 Australia, North Harbour Stadium, Albany

★ Kiwis 22 - 16 Great Britain, McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield

★ Kiwis 36 - 16 Great Britain, Reebok Stadium, Bolton

★ Kiwis 23 - 23 Great Britain, Vicarage Road, Watford
'1997'

★ Kiwis 22 - 34 Australia, Aussie Stadium, Sydney

★ Kiwis 30 - 12 Australia, North Harbour Stadium, Albany
'1996'

★ Kiwis 62 - 8 Papua New Guinea, International Stadium, Rotorua

★ Kiwis 17 - 12 Great Britain, Ericsson Stadium, Auckland

★ Kiwis 18 - 15 Great Britain, Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North

★ Kiwis 32 - 12 Great Britain, Jade Stadium, Christchurch

See also



New Zealand RL

Rugby league in New Zealand

2007 All Golds Celebrations

New Zealand Māori rugby league team

National Rugby League

Sources



Rugby league from 1966 encyclopaedia of New Zealand

External links



Official site

Google-Video

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