Otago rugby league team

Otago rugby league team

Club information
Nickname(s)	Whalers, Raiders, Storm, 45er's
Founded	1908
Current details
Competition	New Zealand Rugby League
Records
Rugby League Cup	2002

The Otago rugby league team are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Otago Rugby League. They are known as the Whalers.^[1] In the past they have been nicknamed the Storm, the Raiders and the 45er's.

History

In 1908 Otago was involved in some of the first provincial matches in the country when it played a home and away series against Southland. The first game was played at Caledonia Ground in Dunedin on 3 October and used goalposts which were rented from the Otago Rugby Union. The Southland side included Ned Hughes, a former All Black. Otago won the match 11-8. A return match was played at Queens Park, Invercargill on 7 October. Southland was able to win the match 30-14 and draw the series.

The Otago side was made up of fullback D Bannantyne, three-quarters J Harrhy, WR Kirk and G Ogg, five-eighths EO Nees and P Walker, halfback J Coulter, and forwards J Bryant, E Manley (captain), T Mockford, W Harridge, J Campbell and Larkins.^[2]

In 1993 an Otago Invitation side, including Mark Elia and Francis Leota, played New Zealand Māori. The Māori won 39-18.^[3]

In 1995 Otago recorded their first win over Canterbury in 35 years.^[4] In 1998 Otago defeated West Coast for the first time since 1927.^[5] They went on to make the final of the National Provincial Competition Second Division before losing 56-10 to the Bay of Plenty.

Otago won the Rugby League Cup in 2002 when they defeated Tasman on the 8 September.^[6]

In 2008 Otago won a centenary match against Southland, defeating them 64-4.^[7]

A home and away series will be held in 2011 between Canterbury, Tasman, the West Coast, Southland and Otago.^[8]

References

1. ^ In Touch New Zealand Rugby League, June 2011. p.19.
2. ^ "Rugby league: Code the product of rebellion". Otago Daily Times. 4 October 2008. http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/25604/rugby-league-code-product-rebellion. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 
3. ^ Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1993, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1993. p.213
4. ^ Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.180
5. ^ Otago downs West Coast The Southland Times, 15 September 1998
6. ^ Otago snatches cup from muddled Orcas The Nelson Mail, 10 September 2002
7. ^ Loughrey, David (20 October 2008). "Rugby league: Otago dominates neighbour". Otago Daily Times. http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/league/28055/rugby-league-otago-dominates-neighbour. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 
8. ^ "Chairman wants to expand league". The Nelson Mail. 4 October 2010. http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/4194417/Chairman-wants-to-expand-league. Retrieved 1 November 2011.