Waikato Rugby League


Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team. They are currently part of the Upper Central Zone along with Coastline Rugby League and Bay of Plenty Rugby League.

History

The league was constituted as the South Auckland Rugby League on 28 April 1921.

Current domestic teams

Premier Division clubs 2018

Waikato club championship winners since 1986:
Between 2002 - 2007 Waikato aligned itself with Coastlines and the Bay of Plenty to create the Waicoa Bay Championship:
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2009
  • 2009-Taniwharau 16 - 2 Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 2010-Hamilton City Tigers 19-12 Taniwharau
  • 2011- Ngaruawahia Panthers 24-4 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2012- Hamilton City Tigers 34-4 Taniwharau
WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2011:
  • 2011- Hamilton City Tigers 26-6 Taniwharau
  • 2012- Hamilton City Tigers 26-12 Ngaruwahia Panthers
Bay of Plenty Clubs break away from the competition, Leaving it as The "WaiCoa Championship"
  • 2013- Taniwharau 18-16 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2014- Taniwharau 20-18 Otumoetai Eels
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2015:
  • 2015- Hamilton City Tigers 33 - 12 Taniwharau
WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2016:
  • 2016- Hamilton City Tigers 24 - 19 Pacific
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2017:
The Waikato rugby league team has competed in New Zealand Rugby League competitions, notably the Lion Red Cup as The Waikato Cougars and Bartercard Premiership. They were represented in the Bartercard Cup by the Waicoa Bay Stallions a team that represented Waikato, Coastlines and Bay of Plenty.

Players of note

Brad Clark - Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs
West Tigers u/20s 2014/2015 Penrith Panthers 2016