Northcote Tigers
Encyclopedia
The Northcote Tigers are a rugby league
club based in Northcote, New Zealand
. The club was founded in 1910 as the Northcote Warriors.
The Tigers compete in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League
. Between 2000 and 2002 the Northcote Tigers competed in the national Bartercard Cup
before being replaced by the North Harbour Tigers for three seasons. In 1994-1996 the North Harbour Sea Eagles
in the Lion Red Cup
were also based at the Birkenhead War Memorial.
It wasn't until 1948 however that the club qualified for the first grade and earned 'senior' status.
In 1987 they finally won the Fox Memorial championship.
, Jason Lowrie
, Gene Ngamu
, Paul Rauhihi
, Tony Tuimavave
and current New Zealand Warrior
Kevin Locke
The club has also had many Auckland
representatives, including: Shane Horo
, Stuart Galbraith, Brian McLennan, Logan Campbell
, Latham Tawhai
, Mark Elia
, Ken McIntosh
, and Willie Poching
.
in 2000 by the New Zealand Rugby League
the Tigers were one of the seven Auckland sides invited to join. However they did not experience that much success, failing to make the top five in three successive attempts.
* two points for a Bye as the Ngongotaha Chiefs
dropped out of the competition.
leaving the competition and being replaced by the Harbour League
franchise.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in Northcote, New Zealand
Northcote, New Zealand
Northcote is a suburb of North Shore City, one of several cities in the Auckland metropolitan area in northern New Zealand. It is located on the north shore of the Waitemata Harbour, four kilometres northwest of the Auckland city centre....
. The club was founded in 1910 as the Northcote Warriors.
The Tigers compete in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
. Between 2000 and 2002 the Northcote Tigers competed in the national Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
before being replaced by the North Harbour Tigers for three seasons. In 1994-1996 the North Harbour Sea Eagles
North Harbour Sea Eagles
The North Harbour Sea Eagles were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented North Harbour in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. For the first two seasons they were coached by Graeme Norton....
in the Lion Red Cup
Lion Red Cup
The Lion Red Cup was a New Zealand domestic rugby league competition that ran from 1994-1996 sponsored by brewers Lion Nathan. It was created due to the increase in public awareness of domestic rugby league due to the Auckland Warriors being accepted into the Winfield Cup. The competition was a...
were also based at the Birkenhead War Memorial.
History
In 1909 members of the North Shore Rugby Union were so impressed with the new type of football they had seen that they decided to found a club for the 1910 season. Thus in 1910 the Northcote "Ramblers" League Football Club was born.It wasn't until 1948 however that the club qualified for the first grade and earned 'senior' status.
In 1987 they finally won the Fox Memorial championship.
Notable players
Probably the clubs greatest product was former Kiwi's halfback Gary Freeman. Other famous players to play for the Tigers include Sean HoppeSean Hoppe
Sean Edward Hoppe is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country.-Early years:...
, Jason Lowrie
Jason Lowrie
Jason Anthony Lowrie is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who represented his country. He is the grand-nephew of fellow international Sam Lowrie.-Playing career:...
, Gene Ngamu
Gene Ngamu
Gene Robert Ngamu is a New Zealand former rugby league player. He played mainly at Halfback or Five Eighth and is probably best known for his combination with Stacey Jones in the Auckland Warriors and New Zealand Kiwis.-Early years:...
, Paul Rauhihi
Paul Rauhihi
Paul Rauhihi is a retired professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. Rauhihi played in both the National Rugby League and Super League at prop forward.-New Zealand Career:...
, Tony Tuimavave
Tony Tuimavave
Antonio Emil Tuimavave is a former professional rugby league player who is the current head coach of the Ponsonby Ponies. He played mainly at prop or at lock forward. He was nicknamed The Chief because he is a chief back in his native Samoa....
and current New Zealand Warrior
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
Kevin Locke
Kevin Locke (rugby league)
Kevin Samuel Locke is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. His usual position is at fullback.-Playing career:...
Kiwi Representatives
Thirteen players have played for the New Zealand Kiwis:- Tom Conroy: 1975,
- Gary Freeman: 1986/7/8/9/90/1/2/4/5,
- Tom HadfieldTom Hadfield (rugby league)Bernard Thomas "Tom" Hadfield is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1957 and 1960 World Cups and retired as the highest try-scorer in the New Zealand national side's history.-Playing career:...
: 1956/7/8/9/60/1, - Frank HalloranFrank HalloranFrank Halloran was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and Footscray in the Victorian Football League ....
: 1937, - Sean HoppeSean HoppeSean Edward Hoppe is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country.-Early years:...
: 1992/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/2002, - Len Jordan: 1946/7/8/9,
- Josh LiavaaJosh LiavaaJosh Liavaa is a Tongan-born rugby league player who represented New Zealand in the 1975 World Cup.-Playing career:A Northcote Tigers player in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Liavaa played for Auckland and in 1975 was picked in the New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 1975 World Cup.In 1977...
: 1975, - Jason LowrieJason LowrieJason Anthony Lowrie is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who represented his country. He is the grand-nephew of fellow international Sam Lowrie.-Playing career:...
: 1993/4/5/9/2000, - Gene NgamuGene NgamuGene Robert Ngamu is a New Zealand former rugby league player. He played mainly at Halfback or Five Eighth and is probably best known for his combination with Stacey Jones in the Auckland Warriors and New Zealand Kiwis.-Early years:...
: 1993/4/5/6/7/8/9, - John O'Sullivan: 1971/2/4/5,
- Paul RauhihiPaul RauhihiPaul Rauhihi is a retired professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. Rauhihi played in both the National Rugby League and Super League at prop forward.-New Zealand Career:...
: 2002/3/4, - Paddy TuimavavePaddy TuimavavePaddy Tuimavave is a former professional rugby league player who represented New Zealand and Western Samoa. His position of preference was at Fullback...
: 1990, - Tony TuimavaveTony TuimavaveAntonio Emil Tuimavave is a former professional rugby league player who is the current head coach of the Ponsonby Ponies. He played mainly at prop or at lock forward. He was nicknamed The Chief because he is a chief back in his native Samoa....
: 1995.
The club has also had many Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
representatives, including: Shane Horo
Shane Horo
Shane Horo is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1988 World Cup. His brother, Mark, was also a New Zealand international and his nephew, Justin, currently plays in the NRL.-Playing career:...
, Stuart Galbraith, Brian McLennan, Logan Campbell
Logan Campbell (rugby league)
Logan Campbell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who played professionally in Australia and England and represented Scotland.-Early years:...
, Latham Tawhai
Latham Tawhai
Latham Tawhai is a rugby league coach and former player from New Zealand. He has also represented his country in softball.-Playing career:...
, Mark Elia
Mark Elia
Mark Wycliffe Elia was a rugby league player who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa.-Playing career:During his long career, Elia played for the Te Atatu Roosters, Kent Invicta, Southend Invicta, St...
, Ken McIntosh
Ken McIntosh
Kenneth McIntosh is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player who currently coaches the Northcote Tigers and Auckland. He played professionally with the Penrith Panthers.-Playing career:...
, and Willie Poching
Willie Poching
Willie Poching is a New Zealand professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current coach of Samoa national team and assistant coach of English Super League club Warrington Wolves...
.
Bartercard Cup
With the creation of the Bartercard CupBartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
in 2000 by the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
the Tigers were one of the seven Auckland sides invited to join. However they did not experience that much success, failing to make the top five in three successive attempts.
| Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (Teams) | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 490 | 654 | ||||
| 15 | Tenth (Twelve) | N/A | ||||||||
| 2001 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 566 | 508 | 58 | 23* | Seventh (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2002 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 401 | 472 | ||||
| 16 | Seventh (Twelve) | N/A |
Ngongotaha Chiefs
The Ngongotaha Chiefs are a New Zealand rugby league club. They are from Ngongotaha in the Bay of Plenty. In 2000 and 2001 they competed in the Bartercard Cup but now they compete in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League competition.-Notable players:...
dropped out of the competition.
North Harbour Tigers
In 2003 the Bartercard Cup Franchise was renamed the North Harbour Tigers. The new side represented all of the North Shore teams and not just the Northcote club. It experienced a some success in its three year history, making the top five twice, both times losing in the Elimination Semifinal.| Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (Teams) | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 496 | 403 | 93 | 14 | Sixth (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2004 | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 469 | 374 | 95 | 19 | Fourth (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Semifinal |
| 2005 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 508 | 323 | 185 | 20 | Fourth (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Semifinal |
Harbour League
In 2006 the number of Auckland Bartercard Cup sides was reduced from eight to five. This resulted in the North Harbour Tigers and the Hibiscus Coast RaidersHibiscus Coast Raiders
The Hibiscus Coast Raiders are a rugby league club based on the Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand. They compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition and between 2000 and 2005 were also involved in the Bartercard Cup competition.-History:...
leaving the competition and being replaced by the Harbour League
Harbour League
Harbour League were a franchise in the now defunct Bartercard Cup rugby league competition in New Zealand. They represented Aucklands North Shore City...
franchise.