Wellington Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of
Rugby leagueRugby 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...
in the
Greater Wellington regionThe Wellington region of New Zealand occupies the southern end of the North Island.-Governance:The official Wellington Region, as administered by the Wellington Regional Council covers the conurbation around the capital city, Wellington, and the cities of Lower Hutt, Porirua, and Upper Hutt, each...
. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellington rugby league team.
Local Senior Competition
The Senior WRL competition involves eight teams:
- North City Vikings
- Petone Panthers
- Randwick Kingfishers
- St George Dragons
- Te Aroha Eels
- University Hunters
- Upper Hutt Tigers
- Wainuiomata Lions
The Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
The winner is awarded the Appleton Shield, which has been in use since 1913. In 1912 four teams played for the Seigel Cup; Petone, Hutt, Athletic and Newtown. Petone won the first ever Wellington club competition.
History
Wellington played its first game on 24 August 1908 when they took on
AucklandThe 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...
at
Victoria Park, AucklandVictoria Park is a park and sports ground in Auckland City, New Zealand. It lies on reclaimed bay land in Freemans Bay, a suburb directly west of the Auckland CBD. This origin of the land makes it very flat and level...
in the first provincial game of rugby league in New Zealand.
During 1909, 1910 and 1911 Wellington continued to play a number of provincial games and, in 1909, defeated Auckland in Auckland, 22-19, the first of only five victories over Auckland in over 100 years.
Foundation
The Wellington Rugby League Association was officially formed on 23 May 1912 at the Trades Hall in Wellington when 1907-08 All Golds captain, Hercules Richard (Bumper) Wright presided over a meeting of 75 footballers and supporters, many of them prominent
rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
players in Wellington.
The founding committee was chaired by W J Riorden and included
Daniel FraserDaniel George Fraser was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Boer War:...
.
Touring teams
In 1990 Wellington defeated the touring
Great Britain sideThe Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
30-22. This is Wellington's only victory over a touring side.
Lion Red Cup
Between 1994 and 1996, Wellington was represented by the
Wellington City DukesThe Wellington City Dukes were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Wellington City in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. In 1997 one of the two Wellington Rugby League sides that competed in the Super League Challenge Cup was also called the Dukes.-Season Results:...
and
Hutt Valley FirehawksThe Hutt Valley Firehawks were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Hutt Valley in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. In 1995 there nickname was shortened to just "Hawks" and 1996 they were known as the Hutt Valley Dolphins....
in the
Lion Red CupThe 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...
. One player from the Dukes,
Earl Va'aEarl Va'a is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He plays as a fly-half.-Rugby league:Va'a started his career playing rugby league for the Wainuiomata Lions in New Zealand and in 1994 and 1995 he represented the Wellington City Dukes in the Lion Red Cup...
, later went on to represent
SamoaThe Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
in
Rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. Both teams folded along with the competition in 1996.
| Team |
Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position |
Finals |
| Hutt Valley |
1994 |
22 |
9 |
0 |
13 |
458 |
489 |
| 18 |
Eighth |
N/A |
| Wellington City |
1994 |
22 |
8 |
0 |
14 |
470 |
508 |
| 16 |
Ninth |
N/A |
| Hutt Valley |
1995 |
22 |
13 |
0 |
9 |
544 |
443 |
101 |
26 |
Fifth |
Lost Elimination Play-off |
| Wellington City |
1995 |
22 |
10 |
2 |
10 |
440 |
514 |
| 22 |
Seventh |
N/A |
| Hutt Valley |
1996 |
22 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
444 |
469 |
| 24 |
Sixth |
N/A |
| Wellington City |
1996 |
22 |
9 |
0 |
13 |
536 |
532 |
4 |
18 |
Eighth |
N/A |
Bartercard Cup
Wellington initially had two sides in the Bartercard Cup competition - the
Porirua PumasThe Porirua Pumas were a team representing the Porirua region in New Zealand's Bartercard Cup Rugby league competition. The Pumas were one of two Wellington-based teams in the competition, the other being the Wainuiomata Lions. They were replaced in 2002 by the Wellington Orcas...
and the
Wainuiomata LionsThe Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
, based in the city of Porirua and Lower Hutt suburb of Wainuiomata respectively. Results between the two were dissimilar - with Wainuiomata reaching the preliminary final in the first season, and Porirua coming last place in theirs. However in 2002 it was decided that one team (later to be named the
Wellington OrcasThe Wellington rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Wellington Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They currently compete in the National Zonal Competition as the Wellington Orcas.-Early years:...
) was needed in the competition. They narrowly missed out on a finals spot in 2002, being on equal points but with a lower For and Against than the
Marist Richmond BrothersThe Marist Richmond Brothers were a New Zealand rugby league franchise that played in the Bartercard Cup. They were a joint venture between two Auckland Rugby League clubs, the Richmond Bulldogs and the Marist Saints. In 2005 the competition was reorganised and the club, along with the Mt Albert...
. Unfortunately this was a high point for the franchise with the team never making the play-offs.
In 2006, the then-unnamed Bartercard Cup franchises adopted the name of Wellington Orcas, after the unsuccessful NRL expansion bid.
| Team |
Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position (Teams) |
Finals |
| Porirua |
2000 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
18 |
506 |
777 |
| 7 |
Wooden Spoon (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wainuiomata |
2000 |
22 |
13 |
0 |
9 |
668 |
542 |
126 |
26 |
Fourth (Twelve) |
Lost Preliminary Final |
| Porirua |
2001 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
421 |
808 |
| 11 |
Eleventh (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wainuiomata |
2001 |
22 |
11 |
1 |
10 |
688 |
628 |
60 |
23 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2002 |
16 |
9 |
1 |
6 |
547 |
449 |
98 |
19 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2003 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
11 |
460 |
646 |
| 6 |
Eleventh (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2004 |
16 |
8 |
1 |
7 |
465 |
409 |
56 |
17 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2005 |
16 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
418 |
459 |
| 13 |
Eighth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2006 |
18 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
452 |
549 |
| 12 |
Seventh (Ten) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2007 |
18 |
10 |
0 |
8 |
509 |
529 |
| 20 |
Sixth (10) |
N/A |
Bartercard Premiership
Wellington Rugby League were awarded a place in the new six-team National Provincial Competition. The team plays its home matches at Porirua Park.
| Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position |
Finals |
| 2008 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
146 |
138 |
8 |
5 |
Fourth |
N/A |
| 2009 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
142 |
120 |
22 |
4 |
Fourth |
Lost Semi Final |
NRL bid: Southern Orcas
In 2004, working with the Wellington Rugby League, a consortium called the
Southern Orcas was involved in bidding for a
National Rugby LeagueThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
franchise to be based in the city. The franchise ultimately went to the
Gold CoastGold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
who joined the
NRLThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
for the 2007 season.
In 2007 reports emerged that the consortium was looking at the possibility of joining
Super LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
however nothing ever eventuated.
External links
- Wellington Rugby League
- New Zealand Rugby League
- Unofficial WRL fan page
- 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...
in the Greater Wellington regionThe Wellington region of New Zealand occupies the southern end of the North Island.-Governance:The official Wellington Region, as administered by the Wellington Regional Council covers the conurbation around the capital city, Wellington, and the cities of Lower Hutt, Porirua, and Upper Hutt, each...
. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellington rugby league team.
Local Senior Competition
The Senior WRL competition involves eight teams:
- North City Vikings
- Petone Panthers
- Randwick Kingfishers
- St George Dragons
- Te Aroha Eels
- University Hunters
- Upper Hutt Tigers
- Wainuiomata Lions
The Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
The winner is awarded the Appleton Shield, which has been in use since 1913. In 1912 four teams played for the Seigel Cup; Petone, Hutt, Athletic and Newtown. Petone won the first ever Wellington club competition.
History
Wellington played its first game on 24 August 1908 when they took on AucklandThe 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...
at Victoria Park, AucklandVictoria Park is a park and sports ground in Auckland City, New Zealand. It lies on reclaimed bay land in Freemans Bay, a suburb directly west of the Auckland CBD. This origin of the land makes it very flat and level...
in the first provincial game of rugby league in New Zealand.
During 1909, 1910 and 1911 Wellington continued to play a number of provincial games and, in 1909, defeated Auckland in Auckland, 22-19, the first of only five victories over Auckland in over 100 years.
Foundation
The Wellington Rugby League Association was officially formed on 23 May 1912 at the Trades Hall in Wellington when 1907-08 All Golds captain, Hercules Richard (Bumper) Wright presided over a meeting of 75 footballers and supporters, many of them prominent rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
players in Wellington.
The founding committee was chaired by W J Riorden and included Daniel FraserDaniel George Fraser was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Boer War:...
.
Touring teams
In 1990 Wellington defeated the touring Great Britain sideThe Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
30-22. This is Wellington's only victory over a touring side.
Lion Red Cup
Between 1994 and 1996, Wellington was represented by the Wellington City DukesThe Wellington City Dukes were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Wellington City in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. In 1997 one of the two Wellington Rugby League sides that competed in the Super League Challenge Cup was also called the Dukes.-Season Results:...
and Hutt Valley FirehawksThe Hutt Valley Firehawks were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Hutt Valley in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. In 1995 there nickname was shortened to just "Hawks" and 1996 they were known as the Hutt Valley Dolphins....
in the Lion Red CupThe 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...
. One player from the Dukes, Earl Va'aEarl Va'a is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He plays as a fly-half.-Rugby league:Va'a started his career playing rugby league for the Wainuiomata Lions in New Zealand and in 1994 and 1995 he represented the Wellington City Dukes in the Lion Red Cup...
, later went on to represent SamoaThe Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
in Rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. Both teams folded along with the competition in 1996.
| Team |
Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position |
Finals |
| Hutt Valley |
1994 |
22 |
9 |
0 |
13 |
458 |
489 |
| 18 |
Eighth |
N/A |
| Wellington City |
1994 |
22 |
8 |
0 |
14 |
470 |
508 |
| 16 |
Ninth |
N/A |
| Hutt Valley |
1995 |
22 |
13 |
0 |
9 |
544 |
443 |
101 |
26 |
Fifth |
Lost Elimination Play-off |
| Wellington City |
1995 |
22 |
10 |
2 |
10 |
440 |
514 |
| 22 |
Seventh |
N/A |
| Hutt Valley |
1996 |
22 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
444 |
469 |
| 24 |
Sixth |
N/A |
| Wellington City |
1996 |
22 |
9 |
0 |
13 |
536 |
532 |
4 |
18 |
Eighth |
N/A |
Bartercard Cup
Wellington initially had two sides in the Bartercard Cup competition - the Porirua PumasThe Porirua Pumas were a team representing the Porirua region in New Zealand's Bartercard Cup Rugby league competition. The Pumas were one of two Wellington-based teams in the competition, the other being the Wainuiomata Lions. They were replaced in 2002 by the Wellington Orcas...
and the Wainuiomata LionsThe Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
, based in the city of Porirua and Lower Hutt suburb of Wainuiomata respectively. Results between the two were dissimilar - with Wainuiomata reaching the preliminary final in the first season, and Porirua coming last place in theirs. However in 2002 it was decided that one team (later to be named the Wellington OrcasThe Wellington rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Wellington Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They currently compete in the National Zonal Competition as the Wellington Orcas.-Early years:...
) was needed in the competition. They narrowly missed out on a finals spot in 2002, being on equal points but with a lower For and Against than the Marist Richmond BrothersThe Marist Richmond Brothers were a New Zealand rugby league franchise that played in the Bartercard Cup. They were a joint venture between two Auckland Rugby League clubs, the Richmond Bulldogs and the Marist Saints. In 2005 the competition was reorganised and the club, along with the Mt Albert...
. Unfortunately this was a high point for the franchise with the team never making the play-offs.
In 2006, the then-unnamed Bartercard Cup franchises adopted the name of Wellington Orcas, after the unsuccessful NRL expansion bid.
| Team |
Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position (Teams) |
Finals |
| Porirua |
2000 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
18 |
506 |
777 |
| 7 |
Wooden Spoon (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wainuiomata |
2000 |
22 |
13 |
0 |
9 |
668 |
542 |
126 |
26 |
Fourth (Twelve) |
Lost Preliminary Final |
| Porirua |
2001 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
421 |
808 |
| 11 |
Eleventh (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wainuiomata |
2001 |
22 |
11 |
1 |
10 |
688 |
628 |
60 |
23 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2002 |
16 |
9 |
1 |
6 |
547 |
449 |
98 |
19 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2003 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
11 |
460 |
646 |
| 6 |
Eleventh (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2004 |
16 |
8 |
1 |
7 |
465 |
409 |
56 |
17 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2005 |
16 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
418 |
459 |
| 13 |
Eighth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2006 |
18 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
452 |
549 |
| 12 |
Seventh (Ten) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2007 |
18 |
10 |
0 |
8 |
509 |
529 |
| 20 |
Sixth (10) |
N/A |
Bartercard Premiership
Wellington Rugby League were awarded a place in the new six-team National Provincial Competition. The team plays its home matches at Porirua Park.
| Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position |
Finals |
| 2008 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
146 |
138 |
8 |
5 |
Fourth |
N/A |
| 2009 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
142 |
120 |
22 |
4 |
Fourth |
Lost Semi Final |
NRL bid: Southern Orcas
In 2004, working with the Wellington Rugby League, a consortium called the Southern Orcas was involved in bidding for a National Rugby LeagueThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
franchise to be based in the city. The franchise ultimately went to the Gold CoastGold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
who joined the NRLThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
for the 2007 season.
In 2007 reports emerged that the consortium was looking at the possibility of joining Super LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
however nothing ever eventuated.
External links
- Wellington Rugby League
- New Zealand Rugby League
- Unofficial WRL fan page
- 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...
in the Greater Wellington regionThe Wellington region of New Zealand occupies the southern end of the North Island.-Governance:The official Wellington Region, as administered by the Wellington Regional Council covers the conurbation around the capital city, Wellington, and the cities of Lower Hutt, Porirua, and Upper Hutt, each...
. It is responsible for the local competition of the same name, as well as its representative team, the Wellington rugby league team.
Local Senior Competition
The Senior WRL competition involves eight teams:
- North City Vikings
- Petone Panthers
- Randwick Kingfishers
- St George Dragons
- Te Aroha Eels
- University Hunters
- Upper Hutt Tigers
- Wainuiomata Lions
The Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
The winner is awarded the Appleton Shield, which has been in use since 1913. In 1912 four teams played for the Seigel Cup; Petone, Hutt, Athletic and Newtown. Petone won the first ever Wellington club competition.
History
Wellington played its first game on 24 August 1908 when they took on AucklandThe 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...
at Victoria Park, AucklandVictoria Park is a park and sports ground in Auckland City, New Zealand. It lies on reclaimed bay land in Freemans Bay, a suburb directly west of the Auckland CBD. This origin of the land makes it very flat and level...
in the first provincial game of rugby league in New Zealand.
During 1909, 1910 and 1911 Wellington continued to play a number of provincial games and, in 1909, defeated Auckland in Auckland, 22-19, the first of only five victories over Auckland in over 100 years.
Foundation
The Wellington Rugby League Association was officially formed on 23 May 1912 at the Trades Hall in Wellington when 1907-08 All Golds captain, Hercules Richard (Bumper) Wright presided over a meeting of 75 footballers and supporters, many of them prominent rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
players in Wellington.
The founding committee was chaired by W J Riorden and included Daniel FraserDaniel George Fraser was a New Zealand rugby footballer who was part of the professional 1907-1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain.-Boer War:...
.
Touring teams
In 1990 Wellington defeated the touring Great Britain sideThe Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
30-22. This is Wellington's only victory over a touring side.
Lion Red Cup
Between 1994 and 1996, Wellington was represented by the Wellington City DukesThe Wellington City Dukes were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Wellington City in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. In 1997 one of the two Wellington Rugby League sides that competed in the Super League Challenge Cup was also called the Dukes.-Season Results:...
and Hutt Valley FirehawksThe Hutt Valley Firehawks were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Hutt Valley in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. In 1995 there nickname was shortened to just "Hawks" and 1996 they were known as the Hutt Valley Dolphins....
in the Lion Red CupThe 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...
. One player from the Dukes, Earl Va'aEarl Va'a is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He plays as a fly-half.-Rugby league:Va'a started his career playing rugby league for the Wainuiomata Lions in New Zealand and in 1994 and 1995 he represented the Wellington City Dukes in the Lion Red Cup...
, later went on to represent SamoaThe Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
in Rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. Both teams folded along with the competition in 1996.
| Team |
Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position |
Finals |
| Hutt Valley |
1994 |
22 |
9 |
0 |
13 |
458 |
489 |
| 18 |
Eighth |
N/A |
| Wellington City |
1994 |
22 |
8 |
0 |
14 |
470 |
508 |
| 16 |
Ninth |
N/A |
| Hutt Valley |
1995 |
22 |
13 |
0 |
9 |
544 |
443 |
101 |
26 |
Fifth |
Lost Elimination Play-off |
| Wellington City |
1995 |
22 |
10 |
2 |
10 |
440 |
514 |
| 22 |
Seventh |
N/A |
| Hutt Valley |
1996 |
22 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
444 |
469 |
| 24 |
Sixth |
N/A |
| Wellington City |
1996 |
22 |
9 |
0 |
13 |
536 |
532 |
4 |
18 |
Eighth |
N/A |
Bartercard Cup
Wellington initially had two sides in the Bartercard Cup competition - the Porirua PumasThe Porirua Pumas were a team representing the Porirua region in New Zealand's Bartercard Cup Rugby league competition. The Pumas were one of two Wellington-based teams in the competition, the other being the Wainuiomata Lions. They were replaced in 2002 by the Wellington Orcas...
and the Wainuiomata LionsThe Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
, based in the city of Porirua and Lower Hutt suburb of Wainuiomata respectively. Results between the two were dissimilar - with Wainuiomata reaching the preliminary final in the first season, and Porirua coming last place in theirs. However in 2002 it was decided that one team (later to be named the Wellington OrcasThe Wellington rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Wellington Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They currently compete in the National Zonal Competition as the Wellington Orcas.-Early years:...
) was needed in the competition. They narrowly missed out on a finals spot in 2002, being on equal points but with a lower For and Against than the Marist Richmond BrothersThe Marist Richmond Brothers were a New Zealand rugby league franchise that played in the Bartercard Cup. They were a joint venture between two Auckland Rugby League clubs, the Richmond Bulldogs and the Marist Saints. In 2005 the competition was reorganised and the club, along with the Mt Albert...
. Unfortunately this was a high point for the franchise with the team never making the play-offs.
In 2006, the then-unnamed Bartercard Cup franchises adopted the name of Wellington Orcas, after the unsuccessful NRL expansion bid.
| Team |
Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position (Teams) |
Finals |
| Porirua |
2000 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
18 |
506 |
777 |
| 7 |
Wooden Spoon (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wainuiomata |
2000 |
22 |
13 |
0 |
9 |
668 |
542 |
126 |
26 |
Fourth (Twelve) |
Lost Preliminary Final |
| Porirua |
2001 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
421 |
808 |
| 11 |
Eleventh (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wainuiomata |
2001 |
22 |
11 |
1 |
10 |
688 |
628 |
60 |
23 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2002 |
16 |
9 |
1 |
6 |
547 |
449 |
98 |
19 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2003 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
11 |
460 |
646 |
| 6 |
Eleventh (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2004 |
16 |
8 |
1 |
7 |
465 |
409 |
56 |
17 |
Sixth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2005 |
16 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
418 |
459 |
| 13 |
Eighth (Twelve) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2006 |
18 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
452 |
549 |
| 12 |
Seventh (Ten) |
N/A |
| Wellington |
2007 |
18 |
10 |
0 |
8 |
509 |
529 |
| 20 |
Sixth (10) |
N/A |
Bartercard Premiership
Wellington Rugby League were awarded a place in the new six-team National Provincial Competition. The team plays its home matches at Porirua Park.
| Season |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
PF |
PA |
PD |
Pts |
Position |
Finals |
| 2008 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
146 |
138 |
8 |
5 |
Fourth |
N/A |
| 2009 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
142 |
120 |
22 |
4 |
Fourth |
Lost Semi Final |
NRL bid: Southern Orcas
In 2004, working with the Wellington Rugby League, a consortium called the Southern Orcas was involved in bidding for a National Rugby LeagueThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
franchise to be based in the city. The franchise ultimately went to the Gold CoastGold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
who joined the NRLThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
for the 2007 season.
In 2007 reports emerged that the consortium was looking at the possibility of joining Super LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
however nothing ever eventuated.
External links
{{RugbyLeague in New Zealand}}
{{Sport in Wellington}}