Manawatu rugby league team
Club information
Nickname(s)The Mustangs
Founded1957
WebsiteManawatu rugby league website
Current details
Ground(s)
CoachNgati Rahiri Edwards

The Manawatu rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the Manawatu Rugby League in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They have the nickname the Mustangs and between 2002 and 2007 competed in the Bartercard Cup as the Central Falcons.

Manawatu has a strong domestic scene and clubs compete in the "Western Alliance" region alongside Taranaki clubs.

History

Rugby league in the region was first recorded in 1924 when a match was played between a Manawatu side against Wellington. All Black Alphonsus Carroll was part of the Manawatu team and the following season he was selected for New Zealand to tour Australia. The match with Wellington was drawn 14-14 and was played at Foxton.[1] However it was not until 1971 that Manawatu had its first ever registered win, against Bay of Plenty 24 - 19. The season remains the team's most successful.[2]

Lion Red Cup

In 1996 a Manawatu team was entered into the Lion Red Cup, replacing the Auckland Warriors' Colts. They were called the Manawatu Mustangs. This team was coached by Peter Sixtus.

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams) Finals
1996 225017404732-32810Eleventh (Twelve)N/A

Bartercard Cup

Central Falcons
Club information
Founded2002
Exited2008
Former details
Ground(s)

The Central Falcons were a franchise in the now defunct Bartercard Cup rugby league competition. They represented the Central North Island of New Zealand, playing home games in Palmerston North and Levin and were run by the Manawatu Rugby League. They were coached by former Kiwis international David Lomax.

They entered the competition in 2002 alongside the Taranaki Wildcats. They had a close relationship with the New Zealand Army and its base at Waiouru. In 2006 two New Zealand Warriors were assigned to the club; Micheal Luck & Steve Price.

Notable players included: Jesse Royal, Ricky Thorby and Russell Packer.

The side never made the finals and in the final season collected the wooden spoon. The club's best result was in 2005 when it finished Ninth out of Twelve teams.

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams) Finals
2002 163112330586-2567Eleventh (Twelve)N/A
2003 164012374578-2048Tenth (Twelve)N/A
2004 164210376508-13210Tenth (Twelve)N/A
2005 16439299531-23211Ninth (Twelve)N/A
2006 186012415678-26312Ninth (Ten)N/A
2007 181116384868-4843Tenth (10)Wooden Spoon

Squad

On 7 June 2015 the following players were selected to play Hawke's Bay:

  • Aaron Whitikia
  • Dylan Winiata
  • Jordan Kerr
  • Tanira Cooper
  • Leon Walker
  • Manaia Osborne
  • Haze Reweti
  • Kahura Cameron
  • Rakai Tuheke
  • Denzel Lepua
  • Dane Cooper
  • Chevy Graham
  • Codie Christensen
  • Kane Kelleher
  • Tiwana Paringatai
  • Kele Kose
  • Gordon Karakaitana
  • Ihaka Johnson
  • Joe Ratu
  • Cory Governor
  • Leoango Tanginoa
  • Tereki Peneha

References

  1. ↑ "Wellington v Manawatu". Manawatu Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 2476. 16 September 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  2. ↑ MRL History Manawatu Rugby League


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