2016 New Zealand rugby league season

The New Zealand national rugby league team played in the 2016 Anzac Test, losing 0-16. Coached by Stephen Kearney the team was Jordan Kahu, Jason Nightingale, Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kodi Nikorima, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich (c), Lewis Brown, Adam Blair, Kevin Proctor, Manu Ma'u, Jason Taumalolo. Bench: Greg Eastwood, Martin Taupau, Sam Moa and Kenny Bromwich. Peta Hiku, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Brad Takairangi were originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. Alex Glenn and Danny Levi were a part of the Kiwis squad but did not play in the match.

Kearney stepped down as coach on 12 September, to become the New Zealand Warriors head coach.^[1][2] He was replaced by David Kidwell, who took on the position full-time.^[3]

The Kiwis will compete an end of season test match against Australia in Perth, and the 2016 Four Nations in Great Britain.^[4]

The Junior Kiwis played in a trans-Tasman match on 7 May, losing 20-34. Coached by Kelvin Wright, the squad was Brad Abbey (Canterbury Bulldogs), Greg Lelesiuao (Gold Coast Titans), Patrick Herbert (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Reimis Smith (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ken Tofilau (Newcastle Knights), Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos), Ata Hingano (New Zealand Warriors), Poasa Faamausili (Sydney Roosters), Brandon Smith (North Queensland Cowboys), Cowan Epere (Penrith Panthers), Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers) and Tom Amone (Parramatta Eels). Bench: Siosifa Talakai (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nathaniel Roache (New Zealand Warriors), Isaiah Papalii (New Zealand Warriors) and Kurt Bernard (Penrith Panthers).^[5]

The New Zealand Residents side will play a New Zealand Māori team on 15 October.^[6] The Residents will be coached by Rod Ratu and includes; Uila Aiolupo, Jethro Friend, Roman Hifo, Paulos Latu, Alan Niulevu, Raymond Talimalie (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Tevin Arona, Chris Bamford, James Baxendale, Phil Nati, Nathan Saumalu, Matthew Sauni (Canterbury Bulls), Tevita Latu, Siua Otunuku, Daniel Palavi, Eddie Purcell, Tevita Satae (Akarana Falcons) and Nick Read (Waikato).^[7]

The 23-man New Zealand Māori XIII squad includes; Tomasi Aoake, James Bell, Keanu Dawson, Bodene Thompson (New Zealand Warriors), David Bhana (Newcastle Knights), Trent Bishop, Carlos Hotene, Tony Tuia (Howick Hornets), Zach Dockar-Clay, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers), Carne Doyle-Manga (Wyong Roos), Greg Eastwood, Curtis Rona (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Delane Edwards (Freemantle Roosters), George Edwards (Papakura Sea Eagles), Kurt Kara (Newtown Jets), Taane Milne (St.George-Illawarra Dragons), Piki Rogers (North Sydney Bears), Kouma Samson (Glenora Bears), Dion Snell (Mt Albert Lions), Manaia Osborne, Te Ariki Peneha (Whiti Te Ra) and Dana Ratu (Taniwharau).^[8]

The New Zealand Rugby League named Jesse Bromwich as the Kiwis Player of the year while Jordan Rapana was the Kiwi Rookie of the year and James Fisher-Harris was the junior player of the year. Other award winners were: Shane Price (volunteer), He Tauaa (club), Andrew Auimatagi (domestic coach), Chris McMillan (match official), Jordan Riki (under 16s), Chanel Harris-Tavita (under 18s), Daniel Palavi (domestic player) and Sarina Fiso (women's player).^[9]

Summarize Timeline Fact Check

Auckland are the holders of the Rugby League Cup but have not defended the trophy since 2012.

2016 will be the seventh year of the National Competition. The competition was reformatted for this season, with Akarana, Counties Manukau, Canterbury and Wellington competing in a National Championship.^[10] The other zones will revert to district teams with these teams competing in four regional championships. The four winners will then compete in a National Premiership competition, and the winner will play a promotion-relegation match against the last placed National Championship side.^[11][12]

The National Secondary Schools Tournament took place between 29 August and 2 September while the National Youth Tournament took place between 26 and 30 September.^[6]

The Akarana Falcons won the grand final, after finishing second following the round-robin.^[13]

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	Pts
Counties Manukau Stingrays	3	2	0	1	142	64	+78	4
Akarana Falcons	3	2	0	1	116	88	+28	4
Canterbury Bulls	3	2	0	1	94	78	+16	4
Wellington Orcas	3	0	0	3	52	176	-124	0

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
			Date	Venue
Counties Manukau Stingrays	12-32	Akarana Falcons	1 October	Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland[14]

The match between the Southland Rams and Canterbury Development sides, won by Southland, was for the Eddie Hei Hei Memorial Trophy.^[15]

Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	Pts
Waikato	3	3	0	0	134	14	+120	6
Southland Rams	3	2	0	1	54	76	-22	4
Canterbury Development	3	1	0	2	66	62	+4	2
Taranaki Sharks	3	0	0	3	28	130	-102	0

Waikato earned promotion to the 2017 National Competition, while Wellington will have to win their regional competition to enter the 2017 National Premiership.

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
			Date	Venue
Wellington Orcas	14-38	Waikato	1 October	Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

The Southern region series, which started in August, involved Southland, Otago, West Coast and Tasman.^[16] The competition was won by Southland, who were undefeated.^[17][18]

Waikato defeated Northland and the Bay of Plenty while Taranaki defeated the Manawatu Mustangs in a two-match series.^[19]

Canterbury Development defeated the Auckland Vulcans development side in a one-off match.^[20]

The national secondary schools tournament was won by the Southern Cross Campus, who defeated Kelston Boys' High School 16-12 in the final. Onehunga High School won the development division.^[21]

The Counties Manukau Stingray defeated the Akarana Falcons 18-16 in the under-15 youth final, while Akarana defeated the South Island Scorpions 44-6 to win the under-17 competition.