The 1999 New Zealand rugby league season was the 92nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League.
Contents
International competitions
The New Zealand Kiwis competed in and co-hosted the inaugural Tri-Nations tournament. They lost the final to Australia after defeating both Australia and Great Britain in pool play. Earlier in the season the Kiwis had lost the ANZAC Test to Australia and had defeated Tonga in a Test Match notable for Stacey Jones breaking his arm during the match. New Zealand were coached by Frank Endacott and included; Tri-Nations captain Richie Barnett, Sean Hoppe, Willie Talau, Ruben Wiki, Lesley Vainikolo, Robbie and Henry Paul, Stacey Jones, Jason Lowrie, Nigel and Joe Vagana, Nathan Cayless, ANZAC Test captain Jarrod McCracken, Logan Swann, David Kidwell, Matt Rua, Terry Hermansson, Richard Swain, Brian Jellick, Tony Puletua, Stephen Kearney, Gene Ngamu and Craig Smith.
The New Zealand Māori rugby league team played, and lost to, Great Britain in the curtain raiser to the Tri-Nations final. The team was: Alex Chan, Steve Matthews, Lewis, Steve Berryman, Jared Mills, Luke Goodwin, Willie Rangi, Paul Rauhihi, Tukere Barlow, John Edmonds, Robert Henare, Darren Rameka, Andrew Wynyard. Substitutions: Gavin Bailey, Martin Moana, Frank Watene, Wairangi Koopu. Coach: Cameron Bell. Referee: David Pakieto. The Māori's had already toured Papua New Guinea earlier in the year. This team included Henry Perenara, Jamie Cook, Shontayne Hape and James Stosic.
The Junior Kiwis included Henry Perenara.
The New Zealand Universities team attended the Student World Cup in Great Britain. They won Pool B, accounting for Wales and Canada, and advanced through the finals. They defeated the England Students team 46-16 at The Boulevard, winning the World Cup.
Rugby League Cup
Waikato started the year holding the Rugby League Cup. Taranaki then challenged for the trophy, defeating Waikato 68-8 on 24 April.
National Provincial Competition
The New Zealand Rugby League ran a National Provincial Competition throughout the season. Auckland was divided into North and South. However a combined Auckland side defeated New South Wales Country 33-6. This side was coached by Stan Martin and included 8 Glenora Bears players, including Boycie Nelson and Steve Buckingham.
The Teams
Finals
Canterbury, Taranaki, Auckland North and Auckland South all qualified for the finals.
In a MacIntyre final four playoff system Taranaki defeated Canterbury 41-32 in the first round.
Auckland North defeated Taranaki 20-18 to qualify for the grand final against Auckland South.
The final was won by Auckland South who defeated Auckland North 24-22.
Australian competitions
The Auckland Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 11th out of 20 teams and failed to make the playoffs.
Auckland
The Glenora Bears won the pre-season Roope Rooster, the minor premiership Rukutai Shield and the grand final Fox Memorial to complete a clean sweep of the Auckland Rugby League club trophies. In the final, played at Carlaw Park, Glenora defeated Otahuhu 24-4. Glenora included Henry Perenara, David Bailey, Boycie Nelson, Steve Buckingham and Wairangi Koopu. The Super 12 tournament had been expanded to include two new teams; the Eastern Tornadoes and the Hibiscus Coast Raiders.
Gus Malietoa-Brown played for the Eastern Tornadoes while Dean Clark and Phillip Leuluai played for Otahuhu and Esau Mann represented Mangere East.
The Mount Albert Lions won the Sharman Cup.
Canterbury
Halswell and Horby met in the Canterbury Rugby League grand final which was held at Rugby League Park on 19 September. Halswell won 30-12. Mike Dorreen and Aaron Whittaker played for Halswell
Scott Codyre was named the outstanding player of the year.
Aranui High School won the Canterbury secondary schools senior competition.
Other Competitions
Turangawaewae won the Waikato Rugby League grand final, defeating Hukanui 32-22 at Davies Park in Huntly. Former Kiwi Kelly Shelford played for the Hamilton City Tigers.
Marist defeated the Waitara Bears 28-20 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.