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The 2003 New Zealand rugby league season was the 96th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the fourth season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Canterbury Bulls won the Cup by defeating the Marist Richmond Brothers 32–28 in the Grand Final.

International competitions

The New Zealand national rugby league team played Australia home and away, losing in Australia before defeating them 30–16 at North Harbour Stadium. Coached by Daniel Anderson, New Zealand included; David Vaealiki, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Willie Talau, Stacey Jones, Paul Rauhihi, Richard Swain, captain Ruben Wiki, Stephen Kearney, Logan Swann, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham, Jerry Seuseu, Tony Puletua, Joe Galuvao, Vinnie Anderson, Sione Faumuina, Motu Tony, Nathan and Jason Cayless, Thomas Leuluai, Ali Lauiti'iti and Henry Fa'afili.

A New Zealand 'A' side toured Great Britain. The team played in five matches with their best result being a draw. They drew with Cumbria 24-all and lost to National League Two 27–8, Warrington 28–26, National League One 40-28 and the full Great Britain side 52–18. The team was coached by Gerard Stokes and included Shane Beyers, Paul Fisiiahi, Steve Buckingham, Aoterangi Herangi, Tyrone Pau, George Tuakura, Lusi Sione, Jesse Royal, Tame Tupou, Wayne McDade, Epalahame Lauaki and Ben Lythe.

The New Zealand Māori team toured France. The team included Phillip Shead whose brother, Artie, played against him for France. Former New Zealander Vincent Wulf also played for France. Coached by Bernie Perenara, the Māori side also included Herewini Rangi, Jeremy Smith and Aaron Heremaia, who captained the side.

Ruben Wiki was named the New Zealand Rugby League player of the year. Thomas Leuluai was the Rookie of the Year.

National competitions

Rugby League Cup

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Bartercard Cup

The 2003 Bartercard Cup was the fourth season of the Bartercard Cup competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. There were no major team changes however the North Harbour Tigers replaced the Northcote Tigers as they now represented all of the North Shore clubs. The Canterbury Bulls finished as minor premiers and were the only non-Auckland team to make the finals.

The Teams

• Hibiscus Coast were coached by Tony Benson and included Odell Manuel, Tyrone Pau and Aaron Heremaia.
• The North Harbour side included Mark Robinson.
• Glenora included Epalahame Lauaki.
• Marist Richmond were coached by Bernie Perenara and included Ricky Henry, Karl Guttenbeil, Tangi Ropati, Evarn Tuimavave, Tevita Latu, Jerome Ropati, Marcus Perenara, Steve Matai and Motu Tony.
• Mt Albert included Steve Buckingham, Wayne McDade and Meti Noovao. John Ackland finished the season as coach after originally leaving the club to coach the Villeneuve Leopards.
• Otahuhu included Boycie Nelson and George Tuakura.
• The Eastern Tornadoes included Paul Fisi'iahi, Herewini Rangi, Zebastian Lucky Luisi and Tame Tupou.
• Manurewa were coached by Kelly Shelford.
• Taranaki were coached by Alan Jackson.
• Central were coached by Peter Sixtus and included Jesse Royal and Sonny Whakarau.
• Wellington were coached by Gerard Stokes and included John Tamanika.
• Canterbury were coached by Phil Prescott and included Kane Ferris, Richard Villasanti, Charlie Herekotukutuku, Lusi Sione, Vince Whare, Shane Beyers and Corey Lawrie.

Season standings

*Wellington were docked three points for registration infringements.

The Playoffs

Grand Final

The Grand Final was held at Ericsson Stadium with the Fox Memorial Grand Final as a curtain raiser.

Awards

• Player of the Year: Shane Beyers
• Coach of the Year: Phil Prescott
• Personality of the Year: Gary Endacott

North Island Championship Provincial Competition

Four teams competed in the North Island Championship Provincial Competition; Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the Coastline Mariners.

Australian competitions

The New Zealand Warriors competed in the National Rugby League competition. They finished 6th out of 15 teams and won two games before losing the Preliminary Final to eventual premiers the Penrith Panthers.

Club competitions

Auckland

The Mangere East Hawks won both the Fox Memorial trophy and the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). They defeated the Hibiscus Coast Raiders 30–29 in the Grand Final. The Raiders had earlier won the preseason Roope Rooster trophy.

The Northcote Tigers won the Sharman Cup (Division Two) while East Coast Bays won the Phelan Shield (Division Three).

Wellington

Petone and the Wainuiomata Lions contested the Wellington Rugby League Grand Final. It was played at Maidstone Park on 13 September. Marvin Karawana played in the final for the Lions.

Canterbury

Halswell won the Canterbury Rugby League title.

Riccarton hosted Runanga in the annual Thacker Shield challenge.

Other Competitions

Turangawaewae defeated Taniwharau in the Waicoa Bay championship.

The Marist Dragons and Waitara Bears met in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final.

References

1. ^ Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, pp. 339–341.
2. Hilton could miss Warrington finale The Independent, 16 September 2003
3. Durbin has last try honour The Guardian, 30 October 2003
4. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 326. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2.
5. Wiki named NZ player of the year AAP, 21 November 2003
6. Waikato Times, 29 April 2003
7. Bulls one win from glory The Press, 11 September 2003
8. ^ Bartercard Cup Grand Final Preivew (Season Stats) Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 September 2003
9. Must-win game again for Bulls The Press, 14 June 2003
10. Marist Richmond Brothers thrown to Lions in playoff cauldron Sunday Star-Times, 24 August 2003
11. Ackland back in the fold after French farce Sunday Star-Times, 29 February 2004
12. Rugby League New Zealand Herald, 18 May 2003
13. Wildcats upbeat about losing tag of easybeats Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 2003
14. Falcons gain Bartercard Cup extension The Evening Standard, 27 November 2003
15. Sixtus confident despite injuries The Evening Standard, 2 May 2003
16. Bergman off to capital as cup coach The Nelson Mail, 22 October 2003
17. Team Wellington Launched Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 12 April 2003
18. Character counters size The Press, 16 September 2005
19. Teenagers charge into Bulls for Marist-Richmond clash The Press, 24 May 2003
20. Bulls recall three to tackle Tigers The Press, 7 August 2003
21. Villasanti facing bigger workload The Press, 25 April 2003
22. Bulls Scoop Awards The Press, 22 November 2003
23. Coastline Mariners sink Northland Archived 19 September 2012 at archive.today rleague.com, 8 July 2003
24. Wellington Grand Final Programme 2003 Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 12 September 2003
25. Riccarton defends shield The Press, 31 May 2003
26. Taranaki Grand Final Countdown Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine rleague.com, 11 July 2003

v t e Rugby league in New Zealand
Federations	New Zealand Rugby League
Representative teams	Men's ("Kiwis") Women's ("Kiwi Ferns") Junior Māori Residents Wheelchair ("Wheel Kiwis")
New Zealand Kiwis	Players Coaches
Zones	Northern Auckland Counties-Manukau Upper Central Mid-Central Wellington Southern
Districts	Auckland (team) Bay of Plenty (team) Canterbury (team) Coastline (team) Gisborne Tairawhiti (team) Manawatu (team) Northland (team) Otago (team) Southland (team) Hawke's Bay (team) Taranaki (team) Tasman (team) Waikato (team) Wellington (team) West Coast (team)
Australian competition teams	New Zealand Warriors (NRL) Auckland Vulcans (defunct) Auckland Lions (defunct)
Competitions	NZRL Men's National Competition NZRL Women's National Tournament Rugby League Cup Bartercard Premiership (defunct) Bartercard Cup (defunct) Lion Red Cup (defunct)
New Zealand domestic seasons	1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

• 2003 in New Zealand rugby league