NZ Premiership Competition : 2019

The 2019 season has concluded, with the four top regions in NZ returning to contest the championship. They were Akarana (Auckland minus South Auckland), Counties-Manukau (South Auckland), Waikato (Hamilton and surrounding area) and Canterbury (South Island's largest city).

The matches, standings and grand final follow below:

	2019	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	Canterbury Bulls	3	2		0	98	44	+54	6
	Akarana Falcons	3	2		1	112	64	+48	4
	Counties Manukau Stingrays	3	1		1	102	70	+32	4
	Waikato	3	0		3	40	174	-134	0

	Premiership
	Round One
	C-Manukau	Stingrays	62	Waikato		16
	Akarana	Falcons	16	Canterbury	Bulls	28
	Round Two
	Akarana	Falcons	30	C-Manukau	Stingrays	18
	Waikato		6	Canterbury	Bulls	46
	Round Three
	Canterbury	Bulls	24	C-Manukau	Sharks	22
	Waikato		18	Akarana	Falcons	66
	Grand Final
	Canterbury	Bulls	10	Akarana	Falcons	28

Canterbury went through the three rounds undefeated so were given home town advantage in the final against Akarana. That wasn't enough as they went down 10-28. Akarana has won eight of the last ten finals and probably nine but for one year being disqualified one year for fielding an ineligible player.

I assume the last placed side (Waikato) will have to play Wellington to see which side will be in the 2010 premiership competition.

NZ North Island Zone Competition : 2019

The 2019 NI competition has been completed. In 2018, there were Northern and Central Zones but this year amalgamated into a Northern Zone. All the sides were back, with the former Bay of Plenty Lakers called the Coastline Premiers it seems.

Here are the results for the 2019 campaign, followed by the matches:

	2019 NI	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	Wellington Orcas	4	4		0	144	88	+56	10
	Northern Swords	4	3		1	140	82	+58	8
	Taranaki Sharks	4	2		2	122	158	-36	6
	Manawatu Mustangs	4	1		3	110	126	-16	4
	Coastline Premiers	4	0		4	102	164	-62	2

	Northern Zone
	Round One
	Taranaki	Sharks	28	Northern	Swords	36
	Wellington	Orcas	42	Coastline	Premiers	24
	Round Two
	Manawatu	Mustangs	20	Northern	Swords	24
	Coastline	Premiers	30	Taranaki	Sharks	52
	Round Three
	Taranaki	Sharks	28	Wellington	Orcas	42
	Northern	Swords	36	Coastline	Premiers	24
	Round Four
	Taranaki	Sharks	32	Manawatu	Mustangs	30
	Wellington	Orcas	38	Coastline	Premiers	14
	Round Five
	Wellington	Orcas	28	Northern	Swords	24
	Coastline	Premiers	34	Manawatu	Mustangs	38

The differences to last year was the Coastline side fell away and Taranaki overtook Manawatu. The final game between the Orcas and Swords was decisive in determining the winner. The team from the capital city narrowly winning 28-24.

Then the Northern Zone winner (Wellington) then played the winner of the Southern Zone (Otago):

	Playoffs
	Wellington	Orcas	38	Otago	Whalers	28

NZ South Island Zone Competition : 2019

The 2019 SI competition has been completed. In 2018, it was the Otago Whalers first, the Southland Rams second, West Coast Chargers third, Newbies Aoraki Eels fourth and the Tasman Titans last. For 2019, the Tasman side was not included and was replaced by a Canterbury Maori side. Why it couldn't have been a Canterbury B or Canterbury Development team I do not know.

Here are the results for the 2019 campaign, followed by the standings:

	Southern Zone
	Round One
	Southland	Rams	32	West Coast	Chargers	18
	Otago	Whalers	48	Canterbury	Maori	10
	Round Two
	Southland	Rams	34	Aoraki	Eels	24
	West Coast	Chargers	36	Canterbury	Maori	12
	Round Three
	Southland	Rams	38	Canterbury	Maori	10
	Aoraki	Eels	20	Otago	Whalers	14
	Round Four
	Otago	Whalers	32	West Coast	Chargers	22
	Aoraki	Eels	32	Canterbury	Maori	30
	Round Five
	Otago	Whalers	38	Southland	Rams	22
	Aoraki	Eels	30	West Coast	Chargers	26

	2019 SI	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	Otago Whalers	4	3		1	132	74	+58	8
	Southland Rams	4	3		1	126	90	+36	8
	Aoraki Eels	4	3		1	106	104	+2	8
	West Coast Chargers	4	1		3	102	106	-4	4
	Canterbury Maoris	4	0		4	62	154	-92	2

Each side had a bye and got two points for that. The Eels overtook the Chargers but otherwise the same placings at the end of the competition. Points differential separated the top three, with the Whaler's victory in the last round 38-22 proving crucial.

Women's World 9's : 2019

Women's RL is really taking off. A few years ago it scarcely existed and now teams are popping up with regularity. Only four nations were included in this tournament although there could have been several of other nations that could have joined. I'm sure it was a cost factor.

Hits: There was some skillful RL on show here. The final was an exciting game and an upset after Australia dominated the pool stage.

Misses: The games were somewhat predictable in terms of results. PNG were brave but outclassed, England not much better. It was always going to be the two finalists that did make it to that game.

Overall it worked well. Hopefully more competitions like this are to follow.

First Round
Pool		W	L	Pt	PD	Results
1	Australia	3	0	6	+76	England	25-4	PNG
2	NZ	2	1	4	+27	Australia	22-8	NZ
3	England	1	2	2	-46	NZ	24-12	PNG
4	PNG	0	3	0	-93	Australia	42-4	England
						Australia	30-6	PNG
						NZ	33-4	England

Final
NZ	17-15	Australia	Winners NZ