The 1988 New Zealand rugby league season was the 81st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the World Cup final that was played at Eden Park. Australia defeated New Zealand in the final 25–12. Auckland won the National Provincial Competition.
New Zealand met Australia in the World Cup final, the culmination of four years of competition. At the end of four years, Australia finished top of the table, and, through their victory over Great Britain in Christchurch, the Kiwis qualified to host the final. The final was played at Eden Park, the first occasion that rugby league had used the ground since 1919. Prior to kick-off Graham Brazier performed the New Zealand national anthem.
Due to the inexperience of the Australian team, the hosts went into the match as favourites in the eyes of many critics. However, the Wally Lewis-led Kangaroos – boasting the likes of Ben Elias, Allan Langer, Paul Sironen and David Gillespie among their 'inexperienced' – triumphed over the ill-disciplined Kiwis, who at least made sure the victorious Australians were bloodied and bruised for their victory lap. For the Kiwis, the Iro brothers, Dean Bell, Gary Freeman, Clayton Friend, Mark Graham, Adrian Shelford and Kurt Sorensen dished out the punishment.
The New Zealand Rugby League called for an inquiry after the result. It was revealed that Gary Mercer was carrying a rib injury before into match and, in hindsight, should not have played in the final.[1] After the match the NZRL stated that it would use Eden Park again in the future, however it did not hold another Test match until 2010, during the Four Nations. A week before the final a Wellington Invitational side gave Australia a solid warm up match, losing 12–24.
The Kiwis victory set up a must win clash with Great Britain the following Sunday, with the winner advancing to the final. The final Test of the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia, it was held at Addington Showgrounds and was won 12-10 by the Kiwis, with Gary Freeman scoring both tries. The weekend earlier Great Britain had defeated Wellington 24–18. After the Test match Great Britain ended their 18 match tour of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand by playing Auckland. Auckland, fielding a relatively inexperienced side, won 30–14.[2]
Auckland won the title, defeating Canterbury 30–21 in Christchurch and 20–4 at Carlaw Park and Wellington 22–18.[6] However Wellington defeated Auckland for the first time since 1913, winning 18–10 at the Hutt Recreation Ground.[7] Wellington and Canterbury shared a win and a loss against each other.
The national club competition, called the Lion Red League Nationals for sponsorship reasons, was won by the Te Atatu Roosters who defeated the Glenora Bears 18–8 in the final. The final was held at Eden Park as the curtain raiser to the World Cup final.[13]
Northland Rugby League's Moerewa was eliminated before playing a match due to not having the required number of junior teams.
The Te Atatu Roosters won the Fox Memorial title, defeating minor premiers, the Glenora Bears, 22–16 in the grand final. The Northcote Tigers won the Roope Rooster. Richmond, in their 75th year, won the pre-season competition.
Ron O'Regan was the Te Atatu Roosters player-coach, the grand final winning team was: 1. Carl Magatogia, 2. Iva Ropati, 3. Sam Panapa, 4. Grant Raynor, 5. Mark Elia, 6. Ron O'Regan (player-coach), 7. Carl Taylor, 8. Peter Brown, 9. Peter Ropati, 10. Craig Coyle, 11. Tony Botica, 12. Mark Horo, 13. Terry O'Shea, 14. Mau Tofa, 15. Graham Huggins, 16. Raymond Hall, 17. Duane Gwadenski.
Minor premiers Petone won the Wellington Rugby League title after defeating Upper Hutt 26–16. St George lost to Wainuiomata in the relegation playoff and were relegated to the second division for 1989.[7]
Halswell defeated Marist-Western 24–12 to win the Canterbury Rugby League's Pat Smith Challenge Trophy. Addington were the minor premiers. It was the 75th anniversary year for Canterbury's three oldest clubs; Addington, Sydenham and Linwood.[8]
Halswell defeated Marist 42–6 to retain the Thacker Shield for Canterbury.
The Moerewa Tigers won the Northland Rugby League title, defeating the West End Jumbos 23–14. The Te Paatu Warriors won the Far North title 36–14 over the Orowhana Dragons.
Ngaruawahia defeated the Hamilton City Tigers 30–12 to win the Waikato Rugby League title. Ngaruwahia included Bill Kells, Jason Donnelly played for Frankton, Tukere Barlow played for the Hamilton City Tigers and Martin Moana played for Huntly United.[9] Pikiao won the Bay of Plenty Rugby League grand final, defeating the Ngongotaha Chiefs 26–18. For the first time the Bay of Plenty and Midland clubs played a combined round.[10] Pacific won the Midlands grand final, defeating Putaruru.
