Kearney stepped down as coach on 12 September, to become the New Zealand Warriors head coach.[1][2] He was replaced by David Kidwell, who took on the position full-time.[3]
The Kiwis will compete an end of season test match against Australia in Perth, and the 2016 Four Nations in Great Britain.[4]
The New Zealand Residents side will play a New Zealand Māori team on 15 October.[6] The Residents will be coached by Rod Ratu and includes; Uila Aiolupo, Jethro Friend, Roman Hifo, Paulos Latu, Alan Niulevu, Raymond Talimalie (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Tevin Arona, Chris Bamford, James Baxendale, Phil Nati, Nathan Saumalu, Matthew Sauni (Canterbury Bulls), Tevita Latu, Siua Otunuku, Daniel Palavi, Eddie Purcell, Tevita Satae (Akarana Falcons) and Nick Read (Waikato).[7]
The 23-man New Zealand Māori XIII squad includes; Tomasi Aoake, James Bell, Keanu Dawson, Bodene Thompson (New Zealand Warriors), David Bhana (Newcastle Knights), Trent Bishop, Carlos Hotene, Tony Tuia (Howick Hornets), Zach Dockar-Clay, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers), Carne Doyle-Manga (Wyong Roos), Greg Eastwood, Curtis Rona (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Delane Edwards (Freemantle Roosters), George Edwards (Papakura Sea Eagles), Kurt Kara (Newtown Jets), Taane Milne (St.George-Illawarra Dragons), Piki Rogers (North Sydney Bears), Kouma Samson (Glenora Bears), Dion Snell (Mt Albert Lions), Manaia Osborne, Te Ariki Peneha (Whiti Te Ra) and Dana Ratu (Taniwharau).[8]
The New Zealand Rugby League named Jesse Bromwich as the Kiwis Player of the year while Jordan Rapana was the Kiwi Rookie of the year and James Fisher-Harris was the junior player of the year. Other award winners were: Shane Price (volunteer), He Tauaa (club), Andrew Auimatagi (domestic coach), Chris McMillan (match official), Jordan Riki (under 16s), Chanel Harris-Tavita (under 18s), Daniel Palavi (domestic player) and Sarina Fiso (women's player).[9]
2016 will be the seventh year of the National Competition. The competition was reformatted for this season, with Akarana, Counties Manukau, Canterbury and Wellington competing in a National Championship.[10] The other zones will revert to district teams with these teams competing in four regional championships. The four winners will then compete in a National Premiership competition, and the winner will play a promotion-relegation match against the last placed National Championship side.[11][12]
The National Secondary Schools Tournament took place between 29 August and 2 September while the National Youth Tournament took place between 26 and 30 September.[6]
National Championship
The Akarana Falcons won the grand final, after finishing second following the round-robin.[13]
Waikato earned promotion to the 2017 National Competition, while Wellington will have to win their regional competition to enter the 2017 National Premiership.
The Southern region series, which started in August, involved Southland, Otago, West Coast and Tasman.[16] The competition was won by Southland, who were undefeated.[17][18]
The Counties Manukau Stingray defeated the Akarana Falcons 18-16 in the under-15 youth final, while Akarana defeated the South Island Scorpions 44-6 to win the under-17 competition.
The Warriors also fielded teams in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW and Holden Cup. The Intrust Super Premiership NSW team finished 5th, and then defeated the Penrith Panthers 21-14 in an elimination final before losing to the Newtown Jets 18-22 in a semi-final. The Junior Warriors Holden Cup team finished the season in 14th position.
The Papakura Sea Eagles won the Fox Memorial, defeating the Pt Chev Pirates 12-8 in the grand final.[22] The Sea Eagles had also won the Rukutai Shield as the minor premiers, and held the Roope Rooster challenge cup at the end of the season. Mt Albert won the Kiwi Shield.[23]
The Te Atatu Roosters won the Sharman Cup, defeating the Bay Roskill Vikings 31-22 to earn promotion for 2017.[24] The Roosters had also won the Phelan Shield as minor premiers.[23]
Papakura also won the ARL Coastal Classic Nines, defeating the Howick Hornets 20-14 in the final. The Ngaruawahia Panthers won the plate, defeating the Manurewa Marlins 8-0. It was the first time a side from the Waikato had competed.[25]
Zacharia Tippins from the Glenora Bears was named the Fox Memorial Player of the Year, Nukurua Ngere from Papatoetoe was the Sharman Cup Player of the Year, Jonathan Carl from Pt Chevalier won the Lance Painter Rose Bowl for top goal kicker in the Fox Memorial, Saula Solomona from Pt Chevalier won the Masters Rugby League Cup for top try-scorer in the Fox Memorial and Mt Albert's Zae Wallace was the rookie of the year. Richie Blackmore was named coach of the year.[23]
The team of the year was; Fullback: James Dowie (Papakura), Winger: Saula Solomona (Pt Chevalier), Centre: Semisi Tyrell (Mangere East), Standoff: Drew Radich (Otahuhu), Halfback: Raymond Talimalie (Mangere East), Prop: Tony Tuia (Howick), Hooker: Zacharia Tippins (Glenora), Second-row: Dion Snell (Mt Albert) and Lock: Trent Bishop (Howick).[23]
Whiti Te Ra defeated Te Aroha 26-24 in the Wellington Rugby League grand final. It was Whiti Te Ra's first title and they went through the season undefeated, the first team to do so since the Randwick Kingfishers in 1944.[32]
The Takahiwai Warriors won the Whangarei City & Districts rugby league title by defeating the Otangarei Knights 18-16 at Toll Stadium, Whangārei.[35]
The Kaikohe Lions won the inaugural Taitokerau rugby league Premiership title by defeating the Pawerenga Broncos 10-6 at Rugby Park, Kaikohe.[36]
The Moerewa Tigers won the inaugural Taitokerau rugby league Championship title by defeating the Muriwhenua Falcons 38-10 at Rugby Park, Kaikohe.[36]
Other leagues
The Southland Rugby League and Otago Rugby League ran a joint eight team competition after both leagues were reduced to four teams.[16] He Tauaa defeated the Cowboys 20-18 in the Southland club rugby league final at Les George Oval to win their fourth successive title.[37]
