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Otahuhu Leopards

New Zealand rugby league club, based in Ōtāhuhu From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland. Founded in 1911, the club has produced 49 New Zealand national rugby league team players. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by Auckland Rugby League. Otahuhu has won the Fox Memorial Shield 12 times, the Rukatai Shield 16 times, Roope Rooster 12 times and the Stormont Shield 12 times.

Full nameOtahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club
NicknameLeopards
Founded1911; 115 years ago (1911)
Quick facts Club information, Full name ...
Otahuhu Leopards
Club information
Full nameOtahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club
NicknameLeopards
Founded1911; 115 years ago (1911)
Websiteotahuhuroversrugbyleague.co.nz
Current details
CompetitionAuckland Rugby League, New Zealand Rugby League
Records
Premierships(14) 1945, 1964, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2025, 2026
Runners-up(14) 1958, 1967, 1973, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2008, 2011
Minor premierships(18) 1942, 1945, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1994, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2025, 2026
National Club Champions1964, 1983
Roope Rooster1957, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1994, 2009, 2010, 2025, 2026
Stormont Shield1965, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2010, 2012, 2026
Sharman Cup1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1950, 2017
Stallard Cup1925
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History

Otahuhu second grade team in 1915.
Otahuhu 1924 second grade champions

The Otahuhu Leopards were founded in 1911. Their first ever Kiwi was selected in 1914 when Arthur Hardgrave played against the touring England side. He had joined Otahuhu at the start of the season after the Manukau side he was with had dropped out of first grade the season prior.

1934 second grade champions.

1930 saw the club win its first ever senior grade trophy when their top side won the Senior B competition. In 1943, playing in blue and white, Otahuhu produced their first Fox Memorial side though they had played as a combined City Rovers-Otahuhu side in the Fox Memorial competition in 1942 due to there being so many players away at World War II. The Auckland Rugby League forced several mergers for that season. By 1945 Otahuhu had won their first Fox Memorial title. In that year the team featured four brothers Ivan, Joffre, Mick, and Norm Johnson, along with brothers Dick and Jim Fogarty (also captain), and Royce and J. Speedy. Their main point scorer was Colin Riley who was the leading goal kicker in the competition in 1944 and 1945. In 1947 their first Kiwi's were selected since Arthur Hardgrave in 1914. They were Joffre Johnson and Claude Hancox who toured Britain and France in 1947–48.

Otahuhu Leopards is where Kiwi coach Graham Lowe first made a name for himself coaching U18s in 1974 and becoming a first grade coach in 1977, winning the Fox Memorial competition in his first year.

Bartercard Cup

With the creation of the Bartercard Cup in 2000 by the New Zealand Rugby League the Leopards were one of the seven Auckland sides invited to join. They dominated the competition in the inaugural season, finishing up Minor Premiers before going down to the Canterbury Bulls in the Grand Final. More heartbreak was to follow for the club, losing in the Elimination Play-off and the Preliminary Final the next two seasons before missing the final series all together in 2003.

Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards

In 2004 the Counties Manukau Jetz replaced the Manurewa Marlins in the competition. As a result, the number of clubs involved with the Eastern Tornadoes increased and the clubs orientation shifted southwards. The Ellerslie Eagles left this franchise and joined with Otahuhu to form the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards. The club made the finals again, again losing in the Preliminary Final. In 2005 the club missed the finals for the second time in three seasons.

Tamaki Leopards

In 2006 the number of Auckland Bartercard Cup sides was reduced from eight to five. This resulted in the Otahuhu-Ellerslie Leopards and the Eastern Tornadoes merging to form the Tamaki Leopards franchise. In 2007 the side was renamed the Tamaki Titans and finished fifth.

Fox Memorial

The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by Auckland Rugby League. Otahuhu has won the Fox Memorial Shield 12 times, the Rukatai Shield 16 times, Roope Rooster 12 times and the Stormont Shield 12 times.

As a junior, Richard Blackmore who started his rugby league at Otahuhu became head coach from 2006 to 2010 successfully taking ownership of the Stormont Shield and Roope Rooster and leading the team to a Fox Memorial grand final victory over Mt Albert in 2010.

Notable players

Otahuhu in the 2010 grand final

The Otahuhu Club has a history of skilled rugby league players.

Kiwi Captains

To date the Leopards have produced five captains of the New Zealand national rugby league team:

Other players

Season records

Otahuhu Senior Team Records (1912–1945, 1990–2007, 2022–26)

The season record for the most senior men’s team in the club.

More information Season, Grade ...
Season Grade Team Play W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams)
19122nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers960394514312Approx 2nd of 8 (incomplete records)
19132nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers9711763739152nd of 7
19141st Grade (Myers Cup) Otahuhu Rovers911764115−5136th of 6
19151st Grade Otahuhu Rovers910848111−6326th of 6
19161st Grade Otahuhu Rovers1021762175−11355th of 6
19171st Grade Otahuhu Rovers40041255−4306th of 6 (withdrew after R4 default)
19182nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers22002802841st of 5, full results unknown
19191st Grade Otahuhu Rovers1001328−2508th of 8 (withdrew after R1)
19204th Grade Otahuhu Rovers42113313205Approximately 4th of 10, full results unknown
19212nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers42021824−64Approximately 3rd of 10, full results unknown
19222nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers210215592Approximately 9th of 13, full results unknown
19232nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers147063517+1814Approximately 3rd of 12, full results unknown
19242nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers440060164481st of 12, lost KO final v Kingsland 3–6
1925B Division Otahuhu Rovers116148548+37132nd of 5
1926B Division Otahuhu Rovers1442868124−56105th of 6
1927B Division Otahuhu Rovers1220963123−6047th of 7
1928B Division Otahuhu Rovers12714123115+8152nd of 7
1929B Division Otahuhu Rovers1181222344+179172nd of 6
1930B Division Otahuhu Rovers13111118381+102231st of 7
19311st Grade (Fox) Otahuhu-Ellerslie12111085237−15237th of 7 (combined side with Ellerslie)
19322nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers171205895435242nd of 9 (lost final to Papakura 2–5, lost KO final 11–2 to Māngere United)
19332nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers129121304288192nd of 7 (lost final to Māngere United 8–11)
19342nd Grade Otahuhu Rovers141121823448241st of 6
1935Sen. B (Sharman) Otahuhu Rovers980113516+119161st of 4
1936Sen. B (Sharman) Otahuhu Rovers85037767+10102nd of 5
19373rd Grade Otahuhu Rovers--------1st of 13 (won final over Richmond 13–6)
1938Sen. B (Sharman) Otahuhu Rovers129128561+24191st of 6
1939Sen. B (Sharman) Otahuhu Rovers86118321+62131st of 6
1940Sen. B (Sharman) Otahuhu Rovers970210554+51141st of 5
1941Sen. B (Sharman) Otahuhu Rovers77009726+71141st of 9, Roope Rooster: W v Papakura 25–5, L v City 13–12, Phelan Shield: L v Richmond 18–14
19421st Grade (Fox) City-Otahuhu151005247132115202nd of 6 (combined side with City due to loss of players during WW2)
19431st Grade (Fox) Otahuhu Rovers15429122204−82106th of 9
19441st Grade (Fox) Otahuhu Rovers18100822215963207th of 10
19451st Grade (Fox) Otahuhu Rovers141112266103163231st of 10
Playoffs Otahuhu Rovers21012933L 18–28 v Ponsonby in Major SF, W 11–5 v Richmond in Major Championship Final
1990Lion Red Prem Otahuhu Leopards2111010484336132.2223rd of 8
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards33006732W v 39–18 Glenora in SF, W v Northcote, W 28–14 v Te Atatū in GF
1991Lion Red Prem Otahuhu Leopards181224492307160.3262nd of 10
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards3102---
1992Lion Red Prem Otahuhu Leopards--------
1993Lion Red Prem Otahuhu Leopards18828359357100.6186th of 10
1994Lion Red Prem Otahuhu Leopards221615561464120.9331st of 12
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards31024652L 10–20 v Northcote, W 24–0 v Hibiscus Coast, L 12–32 v Northcote
1995Lion Red Prem Otahuhu Leopards241815814457178.1412nd of 13
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards1100320W 32–0 v Marist in the Grand Final
1996Lion Red Prel Otahuhu Leopards13913392211185.8193rd of 14
Lion Red Rukutai Shield Otahuhu Leopards7601182108168.5121st of 8
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards10012836L 28–36 v Otara in GF after triple over time
1997Lion Red Super 10 Otahuhu Leopards181206631381165.6242nd of 10
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards------
1998Super 10 Otahuhu Leopards18909501485103.3185th of 10
1999Rukutai Shield Super 12 Otahuhu Leopards221507737455162304th of 12
2000Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Top 8 Otahuhu Leopards141121589216272.7242nd of 8
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards22004724W 26–10 v Richmond in minor SF, W 21–14 v Richmond in GF
2001Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Top 8 Otahuhu Leopards1480639040895.6165th of 8
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards32016266W 32–28 v Manukau in prelim SF, W 16–10 v Ponsonby in minor SF, L 14–28 v Northcote in major SF
2002Fox Memorial Top 8 Otahuhu Leopards14905402337119.3183rd of 8
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards420298129L 10–42 v Hib. Coast in prelim SF, W 22–19 v Marist in minor SF, W 26–24 v Papakura in major SF, L 40–44 v Hib. Coast in GF in double extra time
2004Mad Butcher Fox Memorial Otahuhu Leopards14211137858664.5158th of 8
2000Bartercard Cup Otahuhu Leopards221804782440342361st of 12, L v Canterbury Bulls in the GF
2001Bartercard Cup Otahuhu Leopards221417691528163294th of 12, lost elimination play off
2002Bartercard Cup Otahuhu Leopards161006636393243203rd of 12, lost preliminary final
2003Bartercard Cup Otahuhu Leopards165110432594−16211
2004Bartercard Cup Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards161204476321155242nd of 12
2005Bartercard Cup Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards1990744241230186th of 12
2006Bartercard Cup Tamaki Leopards1892754644010620
2007Bartercard Cup Tamaki Titans18101752646462215th of 10
20221st Grade, (Fox Memorial) Otahuhu Leopards9801504140364162nd of 9 in sect. 2, W v Richmond 20–12 in Fox QF, L v Glenora in Fox SF
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards210138380W 20–12 v Richmond in QF, L 18–26 v Glenora in SF
2023Fox Memorial Qualifying Otahuhu Leopards33009662154.861st of 4
Fox Memorial Premiership Otahuhu Leopards11704368128287.5145th of 12
Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards10011014L 10–14 v Papakura in QF
2024Fox Memorial Qualifying Otahuhu Leopards330011628-61st of 4
Fox Memorial Otahuhu Leopards11704340239-144th of 10
Fox Memorial Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards10011623-0L v Pt Chevalier 16-23
2025Fox Memorial Qualifying Otahuhu Leopards330027210-61st of 4
Fox Memorial Otahuhu Leopards12120052288-241st of 12
Fox Memorial Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards2200291811-W v Papakura 21-14 in SF, W v Mt Albert 8-4 in the GF
2026Fox Memorial Premiership Otahuhu Leopards141400576138+438281st of 8
Fox Memorial Playoffs Otahuhu Leopards22007428+46-W v Manukau 44-12 in Maj. SF, W v Mt Albert 20-16 in GF
1912–45, 1990–2007, 2022–2026 TOTAL-804491342751793012448+5482984
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Club titles (1912–43)

21 championship titles

  • 1913 Fourth Grade
  • 1916 Second Grade
  • 1918 Second Grade and Fifth Grade
  • 1921 Fourth Grade
  • 1924 Second Grade
  • 1926 Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1927 Schoolboys (Senior)
  • 1930 B Division (Norton Cup)
  • 1934 Second Grade (Wright Cup)
  • 1935 Senior B (Sharman Cup)
  • 1936 Seventh Grade
  • 1937 Third Grade and Fifth Grade
  • 1938 Senior B (Sharman Cup)
  • 1939 Senior B (Sharman Cup) and Third Grade (Open)
  • 1940 Senior B (Sharman Cup) and Third Grade (Open)
  • 1941 Senior B (Sharman Cup) and Third Grade (Open)

All time top point scorers (1914–17, 1919, 1931, 1941–45)

The point scoring lists are compiled from matches played in matches from the first grade championship, the Roope Rooster, Phelan Shield, and Sharman Cup only. One off matches and exhibition matches are not included. The matches and point scorers includes the combined Otahuhu-Ellerslie side of 1931, and the combined Otahuhu-City side of 1942.

More information Top point scorers, No ...
Top point scorers
No Player Start End Games Tries Con Pen DG Mark Pts
1Colin Riley19431945563874200267
2Alan Donovan1942-178251210100
3Ray Halsey194219455829000087
4=K Simons194219455223000069
4=Cliff Wellm194319453423000069
6Jimmy Mullins1941194436415120066
7John (Jack) Speedy194319456117120057
8Mick Johnson194219454317000051
9Hugh Brady194419452211350049
10Norm Johnson194219456111000033
11George Cook1914-77220029
12Bernard Farrelly19151916210480126
13=Royce Speedy1945-117000021
13=John Fischer19151916187000021
13=Jim Fogarty19441945347000021
16=C.W. Allen19411945152340020
16=R Keat19441945226010020
18Arthur Hardgrave19141916152060018
19=Stan Webb1931-113040017
19=A Hickey1931-145010017
21R Seymour1945-144110016
22=Kenneth Finlayson19411943195000015
22=Joffre Johnson19421945295000015
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Head to Head records all time

More information Opponent, Start ...
Opponent Start End Games Wins Draws Losses For Against
Grafton Athletic1914191661053076-46
Kingsland Rovers19251928113087214-69
Māngere United1925193017130319973+73
Parnell192619301380517585+90
Kingsland Rovers1928-41034359-16
TOTAL1050506978
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