General 2016 NZRL National Premiership

[Defence]

Districts Contest Revamped National Comp
Friday, 19 February 2016, 3:39 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Rugby League
Friday, February 19 2016
Districts Contest Revamped National Comp


New Zealand Rugby League will put the focus back on district representation, when it relaunches its national competition for the 2016 season.

After a thorough review of the existing zone-based structure, NZRL has introduced a three-tier format, aimed at district teams:

Regional championship – Three regions (north, central & southern) and a development group will qualify a team each to the next phase
National championship – Regional representatives play three-game round-robin schedule

National premiership – Akarana, Counties Manukau, Wellington & Canterbury play three-game round-robin format, with top two contesting grand final and bottom finisher facing promotion/relegation against top championship team
NRLC will feed into a resurrected NZ Residents programme
Throughout its history, the national competition has been run across a variety of formats at club, district and regional levels.

Since 2010, the national premiership has been contested by the seven NZRL zones – Northland, Akarana, Counties Manukau, Upper Central/WaiCoaBay, Mid Central, Wellington and Southern/Canterbury.

“While much of our junior talent has already committed to a professional pathway through the NRL, it’s important that we continue providing career pathways for NZ-based players, coaches and match officials,” says NZRL high performance general manager Brent Gemmell.

“The previous format was designed to showcase the best talent from each zone and it served a purpose, but in reality, there was a varying amount of commitment to that concept,

“The feedback from our community told us we could better connect to the grassroots through district football. Logistically, it will certainly be easier for most teams to train and assemble for games each week.”

To help keep the playing field level, Akarana and Counties Manukau will retain their zone identities, rather than combine under an Auckland district allegiance.

“Obviously, Auckland has the greatest depth of player talent in the country, so it makes sense to provide opportunities to as many of those players as possible at this level,” says Gemmell, who has coached four Auckland teams to national titles.

Competing districts would fund their own participation in the regional qualifying rounds, while NZRL would pick up the travel costs for national championship/premiership fixtures, along with the Grand Final day.

NZRL Women & Youth Nationals will continue to be contested by zone teams within a tournament format.

The proposed 2016 NRLC/Residents schedule is:

Date Event
Pre-September 10 Regional championships
September 10/11 National Championship/Premiership Round One
September 17/18 National Championship/Premiership Round Two
September 24/25 National Championship/Premiership Round Three
October 1 National Premiership Grand Final
NRLC Promotion/Relegation Playoff
October 8/9 NZ Residents Trial
October 15 NZ Residents Fixture

Ends.


So what does everyone think?
Should mean no more blow outs but seems a bit Mickey mouse just having 3 games then a final.
Would it be feasible to have nth harbour represented?

This has been one of my favorite threads the last couple of years.
Been some good banter- shows there's still plenty of passion in NZ provincial league ( for the hard core kiwi league anyway).

No mention of TV/ broadcasting...

 

[Miket12]

.
No mention of TV/ broadcasting...

If Sky don't pick it up, hopefully Maori TV will

 

[Defence]

How do I edit the title? Left the z out of NZ.
A 2016 probably would've helped too.
Also can we get this thread to show up on the main page? it been a bit of a pain having to look for the last couple of years and it would be good to promote the comp a bit- nzrl ain't gonna do it...

 

[mt.wellington]

How do I edit the title? Left the z out of NZ.
A 2016 probably would've helped too.
Also can we get this thread to show up on the main page? it been a bit of a pain having to look for the last couple of years and it would be good to promote the comp a bit- nzrl ain't gonna do it...

Already done .

As for it showing up you'll have to talk to tajhay. Id even like to see this put into the Auckland section but have it renamed NZ National League or something that focuses solely on ly NZ local league. You'd have to help update us with your region though Defence...

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

Well its really good NZRL has brought the NZ residents side back after long time between drinks. A trial game for residents seems like a waste of NZRL money, just pick a team from the comp? Heres a link with more info seems like provinces will play each other in there region eg: South Island, Lower North Island, Upper north Island. Then the winners in each region play each other & winner of that can get promoted to the top division of Auckland, Counties, Wellington & Canterbury.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-st...could-benefit-from-changes-to-national-league

 

[Defence]

The Board of Canterbury Rugby League is pleased to announce Andrew Auimatagi as the new Head Coach of the Canterbury Bulls for the 2016 season.

Auimatagi takes over from Darrell Coad, who coached the Bulls to two NZRL Premiership grand finals and a championship win (2014) during his two years in the job. Coad did not reapply for the role.

Auimatagi will guide the Bulls into the NZRL's revamped national competition which, in a departure from the zone format, will feature a return to district teams in the form of Auckland, Counties-Manukau, Wellington and Canterbury.

Andrew is a very experienced mentor and currently coaches the Linwood Keas' premier team, the runner-up to Papanui in the 2015 CRL grand final. He has held national positions as head coach of the NZ Secondary Schools side and as assistant coach of the NZ 18's team.

During 2014-15, Andrew coached the Canterbury A team to back to back South Island premiership titles, and led the South Island Premier team to victories over NZ Universities in 2014 and Australian Universities in 2015.

New Hornby Premier coach Jed Lawrie will be Auimatagi's Bulls assistant, while he will also enjoy the support of selectors Dave Perkins and Brent Stuart, two of the most experienced coaches on the Canterbury rugby league scene.


I've had a bit of an in with the Bulls the last couple of years because a couple of my old teammates were on the coaching staff but they're not involved this year so hopefully with the new coach being a kea OMG might be in a position to get us the odd update.
Andrew a friend of yours OMG?

 

[OMG]

The Board of Canterbury Rugby League is pleased to announce Andrew Auimatagi as the new Head Coach of the Canterbury Bulls for the 2016 season.

Auimatagi takes over from Darrell Coad, who coached the Bulls to two NZRL Premiership grand finals and a championship win (2014) during his two years in the job. Coad did not reapply for the role.

Auimatagi will guide the Bulls into the NZRL's revamped national competition which, in a departure from the zone format, will feature a return to district teams in the form of Auckland, Counties-Manukau, Wellington and Canterbury.

Andrew is a very experienced mentor and currently coaches the Linwood Keas' premier team, the runner-up to Papanui in the 2015 CRL grand final. He has held national positions as head coach of the NZ Secondary Schools side and as assistant coach of the NZ 18's team.

During 2014-15, Andrew coached the Canterbury A team to back to back South Island premiership titles, and led the South Island Premier team to victories over NZ Universities in 2014 and Australian Universities in 2015.

New Hornby Premier coach Jed Lawrie will be Auimatagi's Bulls assistant, while he will also enjoy the support of selectors Dave Perkins and Brent Stuart, two of the most experienced coaches on the Canterbury rugby league scene.


I've had a bit of an in with the Bulls the last couple of years because a couple of my old teammates were on the coaching staff but they're not involved this year so hopefully with the new coach being a kea OMG might be in a position to get us the odd update.
Andrew a friend of yours OMG?

A touch unlucky not to have gone further, Bull was a hell of a great Hooker/loosie and had his head screwed on, very sensible.
Team mate of Kane Ferris and played JKs with a heap of ex Warriors and 1 current.

In one of the Kea teams I am privileged enough to have been involved with.

 

[mt.wellington]

Counties Manukau Stingrays celebrate their 2015 NZRL Premiership title (Photosport)
Televised premiership draw confirmed
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

The new-look NZRL National Premiership will kick off on September 11, with a power-packed doubleheader at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

In the confirmed premiership schedule, Akarana Falcons take on Wellington Orcas in the early game, with champions Counties Manukau facing Canterbury Bulls in a rematch of last year's finalists.

All premiership games this season will be televised live on SKY, including the October 1 Grand Final, also at Mt Smart Stadium.

The revamped national competition will see these traditional powerhouses contest the top grade, with Auckland represented by its two NZRL zones, while winners from four qualifying pools will compete for the NZRL National Championship.

Championship winners will play the fourth-placed premiership side for promotion next season.

https://www.nzrl.co.nz/fanzone/news/2016/7/televised-premiership-draw-confirmed/

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

Premiership Kicks off this Sunday with a double header in Auckland watch games on SKY or better yet if your in Auckland go see the games live and support our local talent at MT Smart Sunday from 2pm - Wellington vs Akarana & Canterbury vs Counties.

 

[Defence]

Bulls squad

 

[mt.wellington]

Bulls squad

Corey Lawrie still at it...

 

[Defence]

Corey Lawrie still at it...

Must run in the family- I remember playing against his old man mad dog and he would've been in his 40s then.
Played against Corey too when he was a teenager- that would've been back in 99 so yeah he's been around a while.

 

[mt.wellington]

Must run in the family- I remember playing against his old man mad dog and he would've been in his 40s then.
Played against Corey too when he was a teenager- that would've been back in 99 so yeah he's been around a while.

Good on him. Would be 36 now. Scaffolding must keep him fit. Not easy staying that fit for that long...

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

Corey Lawrie is the EverReady battery of rugby league players keeps going and going... In regards to his NRL career if only he was either a little bit bigger or a little bit faster, would have had a lengthy NRL career cause he had everything else needed.

im picking a Bulls vs Counties final and sadly Wellington to feature in the promotion relegation match against either Waikato or maybe southland...

Defence that Canterbury Bulls promo Video is well produced nice to see Canterbury Bulls & sponsor make a real effort to promote Local Rep footy. do you know if Bulls players are paid this year?

 

[Defence]

Corey Lawrie is the EverReady battery of rugby league players keeps going and going... In regards to his NRL career if only he was either a little bit bigger or a little bit faster, would have had a lengthy NRL career cause he had everything else needed.

im picking a Bulls vs Counties final and sadly Wellington to feature in the promotion relegation match against either Waikato or maybe southland...

Defence that Canterbury Bulls promo Video is well produced nice to see Canterbury Bulls & sponsor make a real effort to promote Local Rep footy. do you know if Bulls players are paid this year?

I'm not sure mate- my contacts aren't involved this year.
OMG would be the man to ask- looks like half the team (plus the coach) are keas

 

[Defence]

I know I bring this up every year but is there no way to get this thread showing up on the main page mods?
I just think it would be good for a NZ league forum to do its part in promoting local NZ league.
This thread is normally good value too. Gets some good banter.

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

Yeah local rep footy on the main page thanks... especially as Warriors season is over early for the 5th season in a row!

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

Watched the games on Sky Warriors U20's better offer a contract to NZ Secondary Schools & Akarana halfback Zae Wallace looks like the business potentially the NEW little general!!! at 63kg going to have to put on at least 10kg though.
Akarana to good for welli made easy work defeating them although welli looked good on attack in a couple of patches there defence was not up to scratch.
Counties vs Canterbury was actually pretty exciting evenly contested game Canterbury's Tevin Arona would not look out of place in NSW... Counties came out on top at the end of the game.

 

[mt.wellington]

Watched the games on Sky Warriors U20's better offer a contract to NZ Secondary Schools & Akarana halfback Zae Wallace looks like the business potentially the NEW little general!!! at 63kg going to have to put on at least 10kg though.
Akarana to good for welli made easy work defeating them although welli looked good on attack in a couple of patches there defence was not up to scratch.
Counties vs Canterbury was actually pretty exciting evenly contested game Canterbury's Tevin Arona would not look out of place in NSW... Counties came out on top at the end of the game.

You know anything about a Cantab player called Tauvale Tauvale???

 

[kiwi's 13-6]

dont know much about that player whys that do you rate him?. Wonder if Warriors will ever sign players over age of 20 from local comp again? Clayton Friends son Jethro looks like he could handle a set up to NSW cup maybe more. Only Wellington player I though had potential to play NSW cup or higher from last weeks game was the Winger Lamkam.