# NZRL National Competition

The NZRL Men's National Competition (previously called the National Zonal Competition) is the top-level rugby league competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. In 2010 the competition replaced the Bartercard Premiership following a Sparc funded review and restructure of the New Zealand Rugby League. Since 2019, the competition has consisted of a four-team national premiership and an eight-team national championship (split into North and South Island Conferences) with a promotion and relegation between the two divisions.

## Trophies and awards

Senior teams compete for the Albert Baskerville Trophy, which is named after Albert Baskerville, the organiser of the 1907-1908 All Golds tour. Under-17s compete for the Mark Graham Cup, which is named after Mark Graham, the New Zealand Rugby League player of the century. Under-15s compete for the Nathan Cayless Cup, which is named after Nathan Cayless, the only captain to win the World Cup for New Zealand.

### Structure

The competition was reformatted for the 2016 season, with Akarana, Counties Manukau, Canterbury and Wellington competing in a national championship. The Upper Central and Mid-Central zones reverted to district teams with these teams, alongside Northland and the South Island districts, competing in four regional championships. The four regional winners then compete in a National Premiership competition, which play a promotion-relegation match against the last placed national championship side.
From 2019, this changed again, with a 4-team Premiership and 8-team, two conference (North and South Island) Championship contested.

## NZRL Premiership Teams

| Team | City/Region | Current Coach | Home Grounds |
| Akarana Falcons | Auckland | Steve Buckingham | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
| Canterbury Bulls | Christchurch | Andrew Auimatagi | Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Christchurch |
| Counties Manukau Stingrays | South Auckland | Rod Ratu | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
| Waikato Mana | Hamilton | | FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton |

## NZRL Championship Teams

| Team | City/Region | Current Coach | Home Grounds |
| North Island Conference ||||
| Auckland Vulcans | Auckland | | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
| Mid-Central Vipers | New Plymouth | | Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth |
| Upper Central Stallions | Tauranga & Rotorua | | Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua |
| Wellington Orcas | Wellington | Mike Kuiti | Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua |
| South Island Conference ||||
| Aoraki Eels | South Christchurch | | Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Christchurch |
| Otago Rugby League | Dunedin | | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin |
| Southland Rams | Invercargill | | Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill |
| West Coast Chargers | Greymouth | | Wingham Park, Greymouth |

## Season winners

| Year | Premiership | Premiership | Premiership | Premiership | Premiership | Championship | Championship | Championship | Juniors | Juniors |
| Year | Albert Baskerville Trophy | Score | Runner up | Minor Premiers | Wooden Spoon | Championship winner | Score | Championship Runner-Up | Mark Graham Cup (U-17) | Nathan Cayless Cup (U-15) |
| 2010 | Auckland | 14-6 | Counties Manukau | Auckland | Northern Swords | N/A | N/A | N/A | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau |
| 2011 | Auckland Pride | 44-34 | South Island | Auckland Pride | Northern Swords | N/A | N/A | N/A | Auckland Pride | Auckland Pride |
| 2012 | Akarana Falcons | 38-20 | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | Northern Swords | N/A | N/A | N/A | Akarana Falcons | Counties Manukau |
| 2013 | Akarana Falcons | 22-12 | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | Central Vipers | N/A | N/A | N/A | Counties Manukau | Akarana Falcons |
| 2014 | Canterbury Bulls | 40-8 | Waicoa Bay Stallions | Counties Manukau* | Northern Swords | N/A | N/A | N/A | Akarana Falcons | Akarana Falcons |
| 2015 | Counties Manukau | 41-10 | Canterbury Bulls | Counties Manukau | Northern Swords | N/A | N/A | N/A | Akarana Falcons | Akarana Falcons |
| 2016 | Akarana Falcons | 32-12 | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau | Wellington Orcas | Waikato | | | Akarana Falcons | Counties Manukau |
| 2017 | Akarana Falcons | 30-4 | Waikato | Akarana Falcons | Wellington Orcas | Bay of Plenty Lakers | | | | |
| 2018 | Akarana Falcons | 51-20 | Counties Manukau | Akarana Falcons | Wellington Orcas | | | | | |
| 2019 | Akarana Falcons | 28-10 | Canterbury Bulls | Akarana Falcons | Waikato | | | | | |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand |
| 2021 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand |
| 2022 | Akarana Falcons | 46-4 | Canterbury Bulls | Akarana Falcons | Waikato | Auckland Vulcans | 48-12 | Otago | Counties Manukau | Counties Manukau |
| 2023 | Auckland Vulcans | 70-4 | Counties Manukau | Auckland Vulcans | Canterbury Bulls | Bay of Plenty Lakers | 62-16 | Aoraki Eels | | |
Note: *In 2014 Counties Manukau were disqualified from the final for fielding an ineligible player.