2000 New Zealand rugby league season
National competitions
National competitions
---------------------

### Rugby League Cup

[Taranaki](/wiki/Taranaki_rugby_league_team "Taranaki rugby league team") defended the [Rugby League Cup](/wiki/Rugby_League_Cup "Rugby League Cup") by defeating [Northland](/wiki/Northland_rugby_league_team "Northland rugby league team") 28–22 on 3 September.[Sharks in ripping form to take on Coastline](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23991937.html) *Taranaki Daily News*, 5 September 2010

### Bartercard Cup

The **2000 Bartercard Cup** was the inaugural season of the [Bartercard Cup](/wiki/Bartercard_Cup "Bartercard Cup") competition run by the [New Zealand Rugby League](/wiki/New_Zealand_Rugby_League "New Zealand Rugby League"). The competition was the first large scale attempt to replace the [Lion Red Cup](/wiki/Lion_Red_Cup "Lion Red Cup") and involved eight [Auckland Rugby League](/wiki/Auckland_Rugby_League "Auckland Rugby League") clubs and four regional teams. Eventual winners [Canterbury](/wiki/Canterbury_rugby_league_team "Canterbury rugby league team") were the only full provincial side in the competition. [Waikato](/wiki/Waikato_rugby_league_team "Waikato rugby league team") were the surprise omission.[Canterbury provincial team in new league](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17415433.html)  *The Press*, 16 October 1999

#### The Teams

* [Hibiscus Coast](/wiki/Hibiscus_Coast "Hibiscus Coast") were coached by [Brian McClennan](/wiki/Brian_McClennan "Brian McClennan") and [Tony Benson](/wiki/Tony_Benson_%28rugby_league%29 "Tony Benson (rugby league)") and included [Aaron Heremaia](/wiki/Aaron_Heremaia "Aaron Heremaia"), [Scott Coxon](/wiki/Scott_Coxon "Scott Coxon") and [Anthony Seuseu](/wiki/Anthony_Seuseu "Anthony Seuseu").
* Northcote were coached by Marty Rudolph and included [Tony Tuimavave](/wiki/Tony_Tuimavave "Tony Tuimavave"), [Jamie Cook](/wiki/Jamie_Cookthcote "Jamie Cookthcote") and Keneti Asiata.[Tigers call on Auck warhorse](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17483233.html)  *The Press*, 5 August 2000
* Glenora, led by player\-coach [Duane Mann](/wiki/Duane_Mann "Duane Mann"), included captain [Steve Buckingham](/wiki/Steve_Buckingham_%28rugby_league%29 "Steve Buckingham (rugby league)"), Aaron Tucker, [Wairangi Koopu](/wiki/Wairangi_Koopu "Wairangi Koopu") and Gavin Bailey.[Auck clubs bolstered by released Warriors](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17480577.html)  *The Press*, 19 May 2000[Bears, Tornadoes may hold edge](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=149052) *New Zealand Herald*, 26 August 2000
* The [Mt Albert Lions](/wiki/Mt_Albert_Lions "Mt Albert Lions") were coached by [John Ackland](/wiki/John_Ackland_%28coach%29 "John Ackland (coach)") and included [Paul Staladi](/wiki/Paul_Staladi "Paul Staladi"), [Carl Doherty](/wiki/Carl_Doherty "Carl Doherty"), [Awen Guttenbeil](/wiki/Awen_Guttenbeil "Awen Guttenbeil"), [Ben Lythe](/wiki/Ben_Lythe "Ben Lythe") and [Peter Lewis](/wiki/Peter_Lewis_%28rugby_league%29 "Peter Lewis (rugby league)").[Staladi makes return after quitting game](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17463850.html) *The Press*, 18 March 2000[Lions roar after slow start](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17475356.html) *The Press*, 17 June 2000
* [Marist Richmond](/wiki/Marist_Richmond_Brothers "Marist Richmond Brothers") included [Motu Tony](/wiki/Motu_Tony "Motu Tony"), [Jason Williams](/wiki/Jason_Williams_%28rugby_league_b._1981%29 "Jason Williams (rugby league b. 1981)"), [Francis Meli](/wiki/Francis_Meli "Francis Meli") and [Lee Finnerty](/wiki/Lee_Finnerty "Lee Finnerty").[Warriors go with experience for warm\-up match](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=112604) *New Zealand Herald*, 19 January 2000[Bears' migration adds some bite to clash](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=176060) *New Zealand Herald*, 8 March 2001
* The [Eastern Tornadoes](/wiki/Eastern_Tornadoes "Eastern Tornadoes") included [David](/wiki/David_Fisiiahi "David Fisiiahi") and [Paul Fisiiahi](/wiki/Paul_Fisiiahi "Paul Fisiiahi") and [Phillip Leuluai](/wiki/Phillip_Leuluai "Phillip Leuluai") and were coached by [James Leuluai](/wiki/James_Leuluai "James Leuluai").
* [Otahuhu](/wiki/Otahuhu_Leopards "Otahuhu Leopards"), who also drew from [Manukau](/wiki/Manukau_Magpies "Manukau Magpies") and [Mangere East](/wiki/Mangere_East_Hawks "Mangere East Hawks"), were led by player\-coach [Dean Clark](/wiki/Dean_Clark_%28rugby_league%29 "Dean Clark (rugby league)") in his first year as a senior grade coach.[Formidable look to Leopards](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17491209.html) *The Press*, 26 July 2000 The team included [George Carmont](/wiki/George_Carmont "George Carmont"), [Clinton Toopi](/wiki/Clinton_Toopi "Clinton Toopi"), [Hare Te Rangi](/wiki/Hare_Te_Rangi "Hare Te Rangi"), captain [Esau Mann](/wiki/Esau_Mann "Esau Mann"), [Solomon Kiri](/wiki/Solomon_Kiri "Solomon Kiri"), [Boycie Nelson](/wiki/Boycie_Nelson "Boycie Nelson"), [Jonathan Smith](/wiki/Jonathan_Smith_%28rugby_league%29 "Jonathan Smith (rugby league)") and [George Tuakura](/wiki/George_Tuakura "George Tuakura").[Makeshift Bulls look a touch vulnerable](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17491955.html)  *The Press*, 29 July 2000[Bulls line up for giant task](http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-17493916.html) *The Press*, 16 September 2000[Warrior boosts Otahuhu in showdown with Bulls](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17479034.html) *The Press*, 6 May 2000
* The [Manurewa Marlins](/wiki/Manurewa_Marlins "Manurewa Marlins") included Channerith and Channerath Ly.[Tiny halfback threat to Bulls](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17477315.html) *The Press*, 29 April 2000
* The Ngongotaha Chiefs included [Doc Murray](/wiki/Doc_Murray "Doc Murray") and [Andrew Leota](/wiki/Andrew_Leota "Andrew Leota").
* The [Porirua Pumas](/wiki/Porirua_Pumas "Porirua Pumas") were coached by [Mike Kuiti](/wiki/Mike_Kuiti "Mike Kuiti") and included [Phil Bergman](/wiki/Phil_Bergman "Phil Bergman").[Bergman may prove bugbear for Bulls](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17478046.html) *The Press*, 24 June 2000
* The Wainuiomata Lions included [Billy Weepu](/wiki/Billy_Weepu "Billy Weepu"), [Paul Whatuira](/wiki/Paul_Whatuira "Paul Whatuira"), [Steve Berryman](/wiki/Steve_Berryman "Steve Berryman") and [David Faiumu](/wiki/David_Faiumu "David Faiumu").
* The Canterbury Bulls were coached by [Gerard Stokes](/wiki/Gerard_Stokes "Gerard Stokes") and included [Lusi Sione](/wiki/Lusi_Sione "Lusi Sione"), Scott Nixon, [Tangia Tongiia](/wiki/Tangia_Tongiia "Tangia Tongiia"), [Robert Henare](/wiki/Robert_Henare "Robert Henare"), captain Maurice Emslie and Shane Beyers.[Otahuhu guards against backlash](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17493809.html) *The Press*, 15 September 2000

#### Season standings

|Team

Pld

W

D

L

PF

PA

PD

Pts

|  |
|[Otahuhu Leopards](/wiki/Otahuhu_Leopards "Otahuhu Leopards")

 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 782 | 440 | 342 | **36** |
|[Canterbury Bulls](/wiki/Canterbury_Bulls "Canterbury Bulls")

 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 658 | 525 | 133 | **30** |
|[Eastern Tornadoes](/wiki/Eastern_Tornadoes "Eastern Tornadoes")

 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 584 | 516 | 68 | **30** |
|[Wainuiomata Lions](/wiki/Wainuiomata_Lions "Wainuiomata Lions")

 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 668 | 542 | 126 | **26** |
|[Glenora Bears](/wiki/Glenora_Bears "Glenora Bears")

 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 608 | 519 | 89 | **26** |
|[Mt Albert Lions](/wiki/Mt_Albert_Lions "Mt Albert Lions")

 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 593 | 584 | 9 | **25** |
|[Manurewa Marlins](/wiki/Manurewa_Marlins "Manurewa Marlins")

 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 633 | 521 | 112 | **24** |
|[Hibiscus Coast Raiders](/wiki/Hibiscus_Coast_Raiders "Hibiscus Coast Raiders")

 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 544 | 578 | \-34 | **19** |
|[Marist Richmond Brothers](/wiki/Marist_Richmond_Brothers "Marist Richmond Brothers")

 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 558 | 707 | \-149 | **18** |
|[Northcote Tigers](/wiki/Northcote_Tigers "Northcote Tigers")

 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 490 | 654 | \-164 | **15** |
|[Ngongotaha Chiefs](/wiki/Ngongotaha_Chiefs "Ngongotaha Chiefs")

 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 424 | 685 | \-261 | **8** |
|[Porirua Pumas](/wiki/Porirua_Pumas "Porirua Pumas")

 22 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 506 | 777 | \-271 | **7** |
|

#### The Playoffs

This was the only year in the eight years of the competition that two sides from outside of Auckland made the playoffs. The two teams, the Cantebury Bulls and the Wainuiomata Lions, met in the Preliminary Final with Canterbury prevailing 36–6\.

| Match | Winner |  | Loser |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Elimination Play\-off | Wainuiomata Lions | **18** | Glenora Bears | **10** |
| Preliminary Semifinal | Canterbury Bulls | **38** | Eastern Tornadoes | **25** |
| Elimination Semifinal | Wainuiomata Lions | **25** | Eastern Tornadoes | **20** |
| Qualification Semifinal | Otahuhu Leopards | **51** | Canterbury Bulls | **28** |
| Preliminary Final | Canterbury Bulls | **36** | Wainuiomata Lions | **6** |

#### Grand Final

| Otahuhu | Position | Canterbury |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Corey Palmer | [FB](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Fullback "Rugby league positions#Fullback") | [Lusi Sione](/wiki/Lusi_Sione "Lusi Sione") |
| [George Carmont](/wiki/George_Carmont "George Carmont") | [WG](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Wing "Rugby league positions#Wing") | Scott Woodgate |
| Chris Magele | [CE](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Centre "Rugby league positions#Centre") | Gafa Tuiloma |
| Scott Niwa | [CE](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Centre "Rugby league positions#Centre") | Raymond Hubbard |
| Mark Elder | [WG](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Wing "Rugby league positions#Wing") | Gareth Cook |
| Shane Edwards | [FE](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Stand-off "Rugby league positions#Stand-off") | Scott Nixon |
| [Hare Te Rangi](/wiki/Hare_Te_Rangi "Hare Te Rangi") | [HB](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Scrum-half "Rugby league positions#Scrum-half") | Maurice Elmslie (C) |
| [George Tuakura](/wiki/George_Tuakura "George Tuakura") | [PR](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Prop_forward "Rugby league positions#Prop forward") | Kevin Te Hau |
| [Esau Mann](/wiki/Esau_Mann "Esau Mann") (C) | [HK](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Hooker "Rugby league positions#Hooker") | Shane Beyers |
| Haemish Reid | [PR](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Prop_forward "Rugby league positions#Prop forward") | Craig Barrow |
| Herman Lemafa | [SR](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Second-row_forward "Rugby league positions#Second-row forward") | Shaun Norton |
| Tyson Majoribanks | [SR](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Second-row_forward "Rugby league positions#Second-row forward") | Graeme Emslie |
| Chris Peau | [LK](/wiki/Rugby_league_positions%23Loose_forward_/_Lock_forward "Rugby league positions#Loose forward / Lock forward") | Jonny Limmer |
| Lance Kouka | Bench | Clayton Harris |
| [Solomon Kiri](/wiki/Solomon_Kiri "Solomon Kiri") | Bench | Malafa Pua'avase |
| Eric Pele | Bench | [Robert Henare](/wiki/Robert_Henare "Robert Henare") |
| Tusa Lafaele | Bench | Enoka Mamoe |
| [Dean Clark](/wiki/Dean_Clark_%28rugby_league%29 "Dean Clark (rugby league)") | Coach | [Gerard Stokes](/wiki/Gerard_Stokes "Gerard Stokes") |
|

Canterbury won $50,000 prize money for winning, with Otahuhu receiving $30,000\. The curtain raiser was between New Zealand Students and Great Britain Students.

| Team | Halftime | Total |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Canterbury Bulls** | 20 | **38** |
| Otahuhu Leopards | 8 | 24 |

#### Awards

| **Captain of the Year**: [Esau Mann](/wiki/Esau_Mann "Esau Mann") (Otahuhu)Coffey, John and Bernie Wood *Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909\-2009*, 2009\. , p.328\. **Best and Fairest**: [George Tuakura](/wiki/George_Tuakura "George Tuakura") (Otahuhu)  **Referee of the Year**: [Bill Shrimpton](/wiki/Bill_Shrimpton "Bill Shrimpton") | **Most Points**: [Carl Doherty](/wiki/Carl_Doherty "Carl Doherty") (215; Mt Albert)  **Most Tries**: [Hare Te Rangi](/wiki/Hare_Te_Rangi "Hare Te Rangi") (Otahuhu) and Remus Gentles (Eastern)  **Most Field Goals**: Mark Murray (Eastern) |
| --- | --- |

### North Island Second Division

* + - * + - An [Auckland side](/wiki/Auckland_rugby_league_team "Auckland rugby league team") consisting of Fox Memorial players dominated the North Island Second Division competition, winning all six matches. The team was coached by Del Hughes and included [Tevita Latu](/wiki/Tevita_Latu "Tevita Latu"). Auckland defeated [Coastline](/wiki/Coastline_rugby_league_team "Coastline rugby league team"), [Wellington](/wiki/Wellington_rugby_league_team "Wellington rugby league team"), [Manawatu](/wiki/Manawatu_rugby_league_team "Manawatu rugby league team"), [Taranaki](/wiki/Taranaki_rugby_league_team "Taranaki rugby league team"), [Northland](/wiki/Northland_rugby_league_team "Northland rugby league team") and [Waikato](/wiki/Waikato_rugby_league_team "Waikato rugby league team").

### Mainland Super 10

A **Mainland Super 10** competition was held between [Canterbury Rugby League](/wiki/Canterbury_Rugby_League "Canterbury Rugby League") clubs and the South Island provincial teams. The teams involved included the [Tasman Orcas](/wiki/Tasman_rugby_league_team "Tasman rugby league team") (featuring coach Paul Bergman and player [Phil Bergman](/wiki/Phil_Bergman "Phil Bergman")), [Otago Storm](/wiki/Otago_rugby_league_team "Otago rugby league team"), the [West Coast Chargers](/wiki/West_Coast_rugby_league_team "West Coast rugby league team") and from Canterbury: the Haswell Hornets (who included [Mike Dorreen](/wiki/Mike_Dorreen "Mike Dorreen"), Glenn Coughlan and [Aaron Whittaker](/wiki/Aaron_Whittaker "Aaron Whittaker")), Hornby Panthers (including [Corey Lawrie](/wiki/Corey_Lawrie "Corey Lawrie")), Eastern Sea Eagles, Papanui Tigers, Sydenham Swans, Riccarton Knights and Linwood Kews.[Weather crash\-tackles competition](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17489179.html)  *The Press*, 28 August 2000[Halswell, Hornby break out](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17484100.html) *The Press*, 14 August 2000[2000 Mainland Super 10](http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/ladder.aspx?id=25) *rugbyleague.co.nz*

|Team

Pld

W

D

L

PF

PA

PD

Pts

|  |
|[Halswell Hornets](/wiki/Halswell_Hornets "Halswell Hornets")

 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 323 | 116 | 207 | **18** |
|[Eastern Sea Eagles](/wiki/Eastern_Sea_Eagles "Eastern Sea Eagles")

 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 270 | 196 | 74 | **13** |
|[Tasman Orcas](/wiki/Tasman_rugby_league_team "Tasman rugby league team")

 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 292 | 154 | 138 | **12** |
|[Hornby Panthers](/wiki/Hornby_Panthers "Hornby Panthers")

 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 226 | 151 | 75 | **12** |
|[Papanui Tigers](/wiki/Papanui_Tigers "Papanui Tigers")

 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 262 | 196 | 66 | **12** |
|[Otago Storm](/wiki/Otago_rugby_league_team "Otago rugby league team")

 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 220 | 208 | 12 | **9** |
|[Sydenham Swans](/wiki/Sydenham_Swans "Sydenham Swans")

 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 206 | 338 | \-132 | **5** |
|[West Coast Chargers](/wiki/West_Coast_rugby_league_team "West Coast rugby league team")

 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 170 | 306 | \-136 | **4** |
|[Linwood Keas](/wiki/Linwood_Keas "Linwood Keas")

 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 172 | 322 | \-150 | **4** |
|[Riccarton Knights](/wiki/Riccarton_Knights "Riccarton Knights")

 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 170 | 324 | \-154 | **1** |
|

Team Mainland Super 10 "dream team" was: Warren Donaldson (West Coast), Eddie Hei Hei (Papanui), Joe Fatuleai (Eastern), Clinton Fraser (Tasman), Linkoln Newson (Hornby), [Phil Bergman](/wiki/Phil_Bergman "Phil Bergman") (Tasman), [Aaron Whittaker](/wiki/Aaron_Whittaker "Aaron Whittaker") (Halswell), Danny Champion (Halswell), Leon Stone (Papanui), Vince Whare (Riccarton), Riki Ashwell (Otago), Tim Sione (Hornby), Brad Williams (Halswell).[Tasman has slight edge for final](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17486104.html) *The Press*, 30 September 2000

Tasman and Hornby made the final after they defeated Easts 51\-36 and Halswell 20\-14 respectively. Tasman won the inaugural season's championship by defeating Horby 20–0 in the Grand Final.[2000 Mainland Super 10 Finals](http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/competition.aspx?id=26) *rugbyleague.co.nz*[Sponsorship sought for Orcas](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18602497.html) *The Nelson Mail*, 5 June 2001


What is the main reason for the success of the Mainland Super 10 competition?