New Zealand Māori rugby league team

Not to be confused with Māori All Blacks.

New Zealand Māori rugby league team is a rugby league representative side made up of New Zealand Māori players. The side represents the New Zealand Māori Rugby league. Like its union counterpart, the rugby league team previously competed in international competitions.

New Zealand Māori

Team information
Head coach	David Kidwell
Captain	Joseph Tapine
Team results
First international
Australia 24–14 Māori  (Sydney, Australia; 1908)
Biggest win
Māori 64–4  Tokelau (Ericsson Stadium No.2, Auckland; 2006)
Biggest defeat
Māori 0–29 Great Britain  (Auckland, New Zealand; 20 July 1910)
World Cup
Appearances	1 (first time in 2000)
Best result	Pool Stage

With some controversy, the team participated in the 2000 World Cup as Aotearoa Māori.^[1] The Super League International Board had agreed to give a place in their World Cup to the New Zealand Māori team as they attempted to gain allies during the Super League war.^[1] Despite that World Cup not taking place, the Rugby League International Federation repeated the offer for the 2000 World Cup when it replaced the Super League International Board following the end of the dispute.^[1]

History

 

New Zealand Maori pre–match huddle before their clash with the Indigenous Dreamtime team before the start of the 2008 World Cup

A New Zealand Māori team first toured overseas in 1908 when they visited Australia. This tour was a success, and was followed by another tour to Australia in 1909 and to Great Britain in 1910.

 

Wairangi Koopu takes on the Indigenous line

The first game of international rugby league on New Zealand soil was between the Māori and the touring Great Britain Lions of 1910.^[2]

A separate body, the Māori Rugby League Board of Control, was formed in 1934 to administer the game in Māori communities.^[3] This governing body was later renamed the Aotearoa Māori Rugby League and in 1992 it was registered as an incorporated society.^[3]

The Māori have had a wonderful record of beating international touring teams over the years. In 1983 they visited Britain and a side containing future Kiwis stars like Hugh McGahan, Dean Bell and Clayton Friend proved too strong for the amateur opposition they played. For many years, the Māori have competed in the Pacific Cup alongside other teams with a strong presence of New Zealand–based players—Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, so they thought it was right they should have the opportunity to follow these teams to the World Cup. The invitation to the Māori to take part in the 2000 World Cup came about as a result of promises made to them by the defunct Super League International Board at the height of the Super League war that tore the game apart in the southern hemisphere.

The Māori team has participated in the Pacific Cup (since 1974), Super League's 1997 Oceania Cup, Papua New Guinea 50th Anniversary (1998), 2000 World Cup, World Sevens Qualification (2003) and Pacific Rim (2004) competitions.^[3]

The Maori competed against Indigenous Dreamtime team on 26 October 2008 as the curtain raiser to the first match of the 2008 World Cup.^[4][5] The Māori team lost 34–26.

In 2010, the Maori team played England at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland before the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations in New Zealand. After trailing 18–0 at halftime, the Maori came back to draw the match at 18–all.^[6]

 

Maori Haka Meets Indigenous War Cry

In October 2013, the side faced the touring Murri Rugby League Team in a two–game series. The Maori side, featuring NRL players Charlie Gubb, Sam Rapira and Bodene Thompson, won the first game 48–18 at Davies Park, Huntly. The second game was played at Puketawhero Park, Rotorua and was won by the Maori side, 32–16.^[7][8][9]

In October 2014, the team will travel to Australia to play against the Queensland Maori team at Owen Park, Southport and the Murri Rugby League Team at BMD Kougari Oval, Wynnum.

In 2018 they took part in the NRL Festival of Indigenous Rugby League held in Redfern Sydney against the First Nation Goannas, they were beat 22–16 in a thrilling finish.^[10]

Jerseys

Primary

Primary 1974-2007

Primary 2008-present

Alternative

Alternative 1974-2007

Alternative 2008-present

Players

2008 squad

Main article: 2008 Rugby League World Cup

New Zealand Māori

2008 squad								Coaching staff
1   Bronx Goodwin – FB  2   Jordan Rapana – WG  3   Chase Stanley – CE  4 Karl Johnson – CE  5   Shaun Kenny-Dowall – WG  6   Arana Taumata – FE  7   Rangi Chase – HB  8   Weller Hauraki – PR  9   Ben Ellis (c) – HK 10   Sam McKendry – PR 11   Wairangi Koopu – SR 12 Craig Smith – SR 13   Lee Te Maari – LK		14   Charlie Herekotukutuku – FB, HB 15   Joseph Cahill 16   Phillip Kahui 17   James Tamou – PR 18   Kevin Proctor – SR						Head coach Luke Goodwin Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2010 Squad

New Zealand Māori

2010 squad								Coaching staff
1   Kevin Locke – FB  2   Sandor Earl – WG  3   Timana Tahu – CE  4   Clinton Toopi (c) – CE  5 Kaine Manihera – WG  6   Arana Taumata – FE  7   Rangi Chase – HB  8   James Tamou – PR  9   Aaron Heremaia – HK 10   Russell Packer – PR 11   Weller Hauraki – SR 12   Justin Horo – SR 13   Bodene Thompson – LK		14   Jeremy Smith – FB, HB 15   Kevin Proctor – SR 16   Sam McKendry – PR 17   Lewis Brown – PR						Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2013 squad

^[11]

Team Name Rohe

1. Zebastion Luisi, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Howick Hornets.

2. Thyme Nikau, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Howick Hornets

3. Hiwaroa Grant, Te Arawa (Bay of Plenty) – Taniwharau

4. Rusty Bristow, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Papakura Sea Eagles

5. Ryan Gordon, Tauranga Moana (Coastline) – Otumoetai Eels

6. Cruz Rauner, Taranaki (Taranaki) – Waitara Bears

7. Cody Walker, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Mount Albert Lions

8. Chris Fox, Waikato Maori (Waikato) – Taniwharau

9. Zach Tippins, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Mount Albert Lions

10. Jay Pukepuke, Te Waipounamu (Canterbury) – Halswell Hornets

11. Rulon Nutira, Te Waipounamu (Canterbury) – Hornby Panthers

12. Arden McCarthy, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Pt Chevalier Pirates

13. Dylan Moses, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Pt Chevalier Pirates

14. Chance Tauri, Te Awa Kairangi (Wellington) – Te Aroha Eels

15. Tama Kaha, Te Awa Kairangi (Manawatu) – Levin Wolves

16. Tony Tuia, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) – Howick Hornets

17. Dominic Bartells, Te Awa Kairangi (Wellington) – Wainuiomata Lions

Coach: Darren Pirini, Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland)

2014 Squad

New Zealand Māori

2014 squad								Coaching staff
1 Steve Waetford – FB  2 Thyme Nikau – WG  3 Rusty Bristow – CE  4 Zebastian Luisi – CE  5 Tee Mahe – WG  6 Cody Walker – FE  7 Jody Henry – HB  8   Sam Rapira – PR  9   Kurt Kara – HK 10   Charlie Gubb – PR 11   Bodene Thompson – SR 12 Rulon Nutira – SR 13 Scott Jones – LK		14 Hamiora Mihaka 15 Tony Tuia 16 Jay Pukepuke 17   Kouma Samson						Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2018 Squad

New Zealand Māori

2018 squad								Coaching staff
1 Kurtis Rowe – FB  2 Ozzy Tuwhangai – WG  3 Shane Kiel – CE  4 Jayden Horo (c) – CE  5 Waka Wanahi – WG  6 Jake Jackson – FE  7 Manaia Rudolph – HB  8 Spike Teo – PR  9 Brad Clark (c) – HK 10 Rulon Nutira – PR 11 Carne Doyle Manga – SR 12 Jesse Malcom-Dinsdale – SR 13 Piki Rogers – LK		14 Reuben Taylor 15 Cowen Epere 16 Dayne Welsh 17 Maximillian Napa 18 Kyle Tuapuka 19 Reubenn Rennie						Head coach Mark Horo Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2019 NRL Harvey Norman All–Stars

Main article: All Stars match

The 2019 All Stars match was the eighth annual representative exhibition All Stars match of Australian rugby league. The match was played between the Indigenous All Stars and the Māori All Stars for the first time, the match was played in Victoria's AAMI Park. The Indigenous All Stars won 34–14

2019 squad

Main article: 2019 All Stars match

New Zealand Māori

2019 squad								Coaching staff
1   Peta Hiku – FB  2   Dane Gagai – WG  3   Esan Marsters – CE  4   Dean Whare – CE  5   Jordan Kahu – WG  6   Kalyn Ponga – FE  7   Jahrome Hughes – HB  8   Jesse Bromwich – PR  9   Brandon Smith – HK  10   James Tamou – PR  11   Kevin Proctor – SR  12   Adam Blair (c) – SR  13   James Fisher-Harris – LK		14   Danny Levi – HK 15   Brad Takairangi – CE 16   Gerard Beale – CE 17   Tohu Harris – SR 18   Corey Harawira-Naera – SR 19   Kenny Bromwich – SR 20   Joseph Tapine – LK						Head coach Stacey Jones Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2020 squad

Main article: 2020 All Stars match

New Zealand Māori

2020 squad								Coaching staff
1   Kalyn Ponga – FB  2   Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c) – WG  3   Esan Marsters – CE  4   Dylan Walker – CE  5   Bryson Goodwin – WG  6   Kodi Nikorima – FE  7   Jahrome Hughes – HB  8   Jesse Bromwich – PR  9   Brandon Smith – HK  10   Adam Blair (c) – PR  11   Kenny Bromwich – SR  12   Briton Nikora – SR  13   Corey Harawira-Naera – LK		14   Issac Luke – HK 15   Brad Takairangi – CE 16   Zane Tetevano – LK 17   Jordan Riki – PR 18   Kevin Proctor – SR 19   Malakai Watene-Zelezniak – WG 20   Pasami Saulo – PR						Head coach David Kidwell Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2021 squad

Main article: 2021 All Stars match

New Zealand Māori

2021 squad								Coaching staff
1   Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – FB  2   Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c) – WG  3   Joseph Manu – CE  4   Dylan Walker – CE  5   Patrick Herbert – WG  6   Jarome Luai – FE  7   Benji Marshall – HB  8   Russell Packer – PR  9   Jeremy Marshall-King – HK  10   James Fisher-Harris – PR  11   Briton Nikora – SR  12   Jordan Riki – SR  13   Joseph Tapine (c) – LK		14   Issac Luke – HK 15   Emry Pere – PR 16   Zane Musgrove – PR 17   Jackson Topine – SR 18   Esan Marsters – CE 20   Daejarn Asi – FE 22   Wiremu Greig – PR						Head coach David Kidwell Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

2022 squad

Main article: 2022 All Stars match

New Zealand Māori

2022 squad								Coaching staff
1   Jordan Rapana – FB  2   Morgan Harper – WG  3   Dylan Walker – CE  4   Reimis Smith – CE  5   Patrick Herbert – WG  6   Chanel Harris-Tavita – FE  7   Kodi Nikorima (c) – HB  8   Joseph Tapine (c) – PR  9   Erin Clark – HK  10   James Fisher-Harris – PR  11   Kenny Bromwich – SR  12   Briton Nikora – SR  13   Jazz Tevaga – LK		14   Esan Marsters – CE 15   Royce Hunt – PR 16   TC Robati – SR 17   Kevin Proctor – SR 18   Tuku Hau Tapuha – PR 19   Jayden Nikorima – FE 20   Wiremu Greig – PR						Head coach David Kidwell Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice captain(s)

Coaches

Also see Category:New Zealand Māori rugby league team coaches

Win percentage is rounded to one decimal place.

Key

G: Games played W: Matches won D: Matches drawn L: Matches lost

Name	From	To	G	W	D	L	Win%	Notes
Denis Lutge	1909	1909
George Paki	1922	1922	5	2	0	3	40
Jim Rukutai	1922	1937	11	5	0	6	45
Travers Hardwick	1956	1956
Andy Berryman	1983	1983
Mark Horo & Richard Bolton	1986	1988
Cameron Bell	1995	2000	10	5	0	5	50
Tawera Nikau	2004	2005
Dean Clark	2006	2006
Kevin Tamati	2006	2008
Luke Goodwin	2008	2008	2	0	0	2	0
Richie Blackmore	2010	2010
Stacey Jones	2019	2019	1	0	0	1	0
David Kidwell	2020		3	2	1	0	66

Results

Year	New Zealand Māori
	Winners	Score	Runners–Up
1908	Australia	24–14	New Zealand Māori
1910	Great Britain	29–0	New Zealand Māori
1922	New Zealand Māori	28–18	Auckland
1922	Sydney Metropolis	77–13	New Zealand Māori
1922	New South Wales seconds	31–14	New Zealand Māori
1922	New Zealand Māori	23–22	Queensland
1922	Toowoomba	26–6	New Zealand Māori
1922	Ipswich	20–3	New Zealand Māori
1922	Queensland	31–19	New Zealand Māori
1922	Sydney Metropolis	38–0	New Zealand Māori
1922	New Zealand Māori	25–15	New South Wales Country team
1956	New Zealand Māori	22–20	Metropolis (Sydney)
1956	Sydney	37–7	New Zealand Māori
1990	New Zealand Māori	24–13	Australian Aborigines
1992	New Zealand Māori	36–24	Australian Aborigines
1992	New Zealand Māori	44–12	Australian Aborigines
1997	Australian Aborigines	38–20	New Zealand Māori
1997	New Zealand Māori	46–10	Tonga
1997	New Zealand Māori	32–12	Fiji
1997	New Zealand Māori	34–6	Papua New Guinea
1997	New Zealand XIII	20–15	New Zealand Māori
2000	New Zealand Māori	17–16	Scotland
2000	Samoa	21–16	New Zealand Maori
2000	Ireland	30–16	New Zealand Māori
2002	New Zealand Māori	50–6	Tonga
2006	New Zealand Māori	64–4	Tokelau
2008	Indigenous Dreamtime	34–26	New Zealand Māori
2010	New Zealand Māori	18–18	England
2013	New Zealand Māori	40–18	Murri
2013	New Zealand Māori	32–16	Murri
2014	New Zealand Māori	46–22	Murri
2018	First Nation Goannas	22–16	New Zealand Māori
2019	Indigenous All Stars	34–14	New Zealand Māori
2020	New Zealand Māori	30–16	Indigenous All Stars
2021	New Zealand Māori	10–10	Indigenous All Stars
2022	New Zealand Māori	16–10	Indigenous All Stars

See also

• New Zealand Māori women's rugby league team
• New Zealand national rugby league team
• New Zealand national rugby union team
• New Zealand Māori rugby union team
• New Zealand Māori cricket team

References

1. Wilson, Andy (26 October 2000). "Maori role-model army signal intent". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
2. John Coffey; Bernie Wood (2008). 100 Years: Maori Rugby League, 1908-2008. New Zealand: Huia Publishers. p. 61. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
3. Sarah Leberman; Chris Collins; Linda Trenberth (2005). Sport business management in Aotearoa/ New Zealand (2 ed.). Thomson Learning Nelson. p. 69. ISBN 9780170128964. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
4. "World Cup moved to end of season". BBC Sport. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
5. Dawson, Cushla (14 June 2008). . Rugby League World Cup. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
6. "England escapes with draw against Maori". ABC News. October 16, 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
7. "NITV". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
8. "NZ Māori comeback victory". Maoritelevision.com. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
9. "NZRL". Archived from the original on 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2014-10-18.
10. Stanton, Tanisha. "First Nation Goannas triumph over New Zealand Maori". NRL.com. Tanisha Stanton. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
11. . Archived from the original on 2014-10-13. Retrieved 2014-10-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

• 100 years of Māori rugby league 1908 – 2008 Google Books