Counties Manukau rugby league team

The Counties Manukau rugby league team represents the Counties Manukau zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Previously, teams representing Southern Auckland and the Franklin district of New Zealand have competed in the Lion Red Cup and Bartercard Cup. They are nicknamed the Stingrays.[1]

Counties Manukau in 2010

Counties Manukau
Club information
Nickname(s)Stingrays
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Leebank Park
CoachRod Ratu
Records
Premierships2015
Runners-up2010, 2012, 2013, 2016
Minor premierships2012, 2013, 2015, 2016

1994–1996: Heroes
Counties Manukau Heroes
Club information
Founded1994
Exited1996
Former details
Ground(s)
CoachStan Martin / Cameron Bell
CompetitionLion Red Cup
Records
Premierships1996
Runners-up1994
Minor premierships1994

The Counties Manukau Heroes competed in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996.

Stan Martin coached them in 1994 and 1995 before accepting a contract with the Whitehaven. He was replaced by Cameron Bell for the 1996 season.

Notable players

Notable players included; Duane Mann, Frank Watene, 1995 captain Dean Clark, Whetu Taewa, Clayton Friend, Des Maea, Gus Malietoa-Brown, Solomon Kiri, Jason Temu, Bryan Laumatia, 1994 captain Hitro Okesene and his brother Paul, Esau Mann, Matthew Sturm, Mark Faumuina, Leroy Joe, Richard O'Connell, Te Manawa Loza, Mark Leithbridge. Jerry Seuseu and Willie Wolfgramm.[2][3]

Season results
Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position Finals
1994 22162456333223134Minor PremiersLost Grand Final
1995 22141757341316029SecondLost preliminary final
1996 22180476639936736SecondChampions

2004–2008: Jetz
Counties Manukau Jetz
Club information
Founded2004
Exited2008
Former details
Ground(s)
CoachGary Kemble / Geoff Morton
CompetitionBartercard Cup

The Counties Manukau Jetz were a franchise in the Bartercard Cup.

Notable players

New Zealand Warriors who were assigned to the club included: Sonny Fai, Nathan Fien & George Gatis

History

The Jetz entered the competition in 2004 in the place of the Manurewa Marlins. They finished a disappointing seventh and missed out on the playoffs. 2005 however was a better year with the team performing well, losing to eventual winners Mt Albert in the Preliminary Final. In 2006 they again made the playoffs but were eliminated by Tamaki in the first week. Before the 2007 season long serving head coach Gary Kemble announced his retirement to concentrate on business interests so former Northern Storm coach Geoff Morton was appointed for the season. The team's final season was its worst with it coming second to last.

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams) Finals
2004 16718448441715Seventh (Twelve)N/A
2005 1611054453796622Third (Twelve)Lost preliminary final
2006 189185224586419Fifth (Ten)Lost Elimination Play-off
2007 183015344704−3606Ninth (Tenth)N/A

2010: Zone
The Counties Manukau side lost 14 – 6 in the Albert Baskerville Trophy final

Following the Sparc review of the New Zealand Rugby League the new zonal competition was launched in 2010. Counties Manukau became a stand-alone zone with a team that was separate from Auckland.

Counties Manukau draws players from Mangere East, Howick, Pakuranga, Papakura, Franklin, Tuakau, Waiuku, Pukekohe, Papatoetoe, Otara, Manukau and Otahuhu.[4]

In the 2010 season, Counties Manukau won the Under 15 and Under 17 tournaments but lost the final of the senior competition, being defeated by Auckland 14 – 6.

References
  1. Counties Manukau nzrl.co.nz
  2. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.106
  3. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.p.90–92
  4. Counties Manukau Archived 10 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Auckland Rugby League
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