The 2001 New Zealand rugby league season was the 94th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the second season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Hibiscus Coast Raiders won the Cup by defeating the Eastern Tornadoes 28-18 in the Grand Final.
Contents
International competitions
The New Zealand Kiwis played a one off test match against France and defeated them 36-0 at Ericsson Stadium. The Kiwis then played Australia at the new Westpac Stadium in Wellington and lost 28-10. New Zealand were coached by Gary Freeman.
The French team also played three matches against regional selections; Northern Districts, Central Districts and the South Island. France won all three of these games, defeating the South Island 24-11 at Lancaster Park, Central Districts 28-26 at the Palmerston North Showgrounds and Northern Districts 40-16 in Huntly. Jeff Whittaker coached the South Island team that featured mainly Canterbury Bulls players. The team was captained by Shane Beyers and included Aaron Whittaker. Northern Districts included Lance Hohaia and Hare Te Rangi.
The Junior Kiwis included Vince Mellars, Richard Utai and Robert Tanielu.
Auckland conducted a two match trip to Sydney in September 2001. Auckland defeated Northern Māori 48-6 before losing to Sydney Metropolitan 34-12. They were coached by Stan Martin and included Daniel Floyd, Karl Te Mata, Tyrone Pau, Jeremy Smith, Joe Galuvao, Jason Temu, Hare Te Rangi and Cliff Beverley.
Rugby League Cup
Tasman defeated Coastline in Tauranga to win the Rugby League Cup.
Bartercard Cup
The 2001 Bartercard Cup was the second season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. After losing every match, the Ngongotaha Chiefs withdrew from the competition after round sixteen. All teams scheduled to play them after this were awarded two points for a bye. The Auckland teams were again dominant with only defending champions, the Canterbury Bulls, making the finals from outside of Auckland.
The Teams
Grand Final
Jeremy Smith (Hibiscus Coast) was man of the match.
North Island Super Seven Series
A North Island Super Seven Series was held between seven district sides in the North Island. This competition included Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Coastline-Bay of Plenty Mariners, Taranaki, Manawatu and Wellington. Taranaki and Wellington made the final after defeating Manawatu and Auckland respectively in the semi-finals. Wellington won the competition, defeating Taranaki 30-24.
The Coastline Mariners were coached by Tony Gordon and included Andrew Leota.
Mainland Super 10
The second Mainland Super 10 competition was held between Canterbury Rugby League clubs and the South Island provincial teams. The teams involved included the Tasman Orcas (coached by Paul Bergman), Otago Raiders, Southland Rams and seven clubs from Canterbury: the Haswell Hornets, Hornby Panthers, Eastern Sea Eagles, Papanui Tigers, Riccarton Knights, Sydenham Swans and the Linwood Kews. The West Coast Chargers withdrew after the competition was moved to the first half of the season.
The Papanui Tigers were the minor premiers while defending champions Tasman finished fifth. The final was contested between the Linwood Keas and the Eastern Suburbs Sea Eagles.
Australian competitions
The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 8th out of 14 teams, making the finals for the first time. In the Qualifying Final they were thrashed 56-12 by the minor premiers, the Parramatta Eels.
Auckland
The Northcote Tigers won the Fox Memorial trophy, defeating Richmond 30-29 in the grand final. Richmond had earlier won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). The grand final was played at 11:50am before the Bartercard Cup grand final at Carlaw Park but still attracted 6,000 fans.
Hutch Maiava played for the Point Chevalier Pirates while Matthew Tuisamoa and Marcus Perenara played for the Richmond Bulldogs.
Wellington
Robert Piva played for the Kapati Coast Bears while Vince Mellars played for the Petone Panthers. Billy Weepu and John Lomax represented the Wainuiomata Lions.
Canterbury
Hornby won the Canterbury Rugby League title.
Other Competitions
The Hamilton City Tigers won the Waikato Rugby League minor premiership. Hukanui defeated Turangawaewae in the grand final.
The Waitara Bears defeated Marist 14-10 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.