The Manawatu rugby league team are a rugby league team that represents the

Manawatu Rugby League Manawatu Rugby League was formed in 1957. They are currently part of the Mid-Central zone along with Taranaki Rugby League. Kiwi Players Only one player from Manawatu has ever made the New Zealand national rugby league team. This was Kiwi number ...

in New Zealand Rugby League competitions. They have the nickname the Mustangs and between 2002 and 2007 competed in the

Bartercard Cup The Bartercard Cup (successor of the Lion Red Cup) was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zeala ...

as the Central Falcons. Manawatu has a strong domestic scene and clubs compete in the "Western Alliance" region alongside Taranaki clubs.

History

Rugby league in the region was first recorded in 1924 when a match was played between a Manawatu side against Wellington. All Black

Alphonsus Carroll Alphonsus "Fonse" John Carroll (20 April 1895 in Mataura – 1 December 1974 in Palmerston North) was a New Zealand dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, who represented New Zealand in both co ...

was part of the Manawatu team and the following season he was selected for New Zealand to tour Australia. The match with Wellington was drawn 14-14 and was played at Foxton. However it was not until 1971 that Manawatu had its first ever registered win, against Bay of Plenty 24 - 19. The season remains the team's most successful.MRL History
''Manawatu Rugby League''

Lion Red Cup

In 1996 a Manawatu team was entered into the Lion Red Cup, replacing the Auckland Warriors' Colts. They were called the Manawatu Mustangs. This team was coached by Peter Sixtus.

Bartercard Cup

The Central Falcons were a franchise in the now defunct

rugby league competition. They represented the Central North Island of New Zealand, playing home games in Palmerston North and Levin and were run by the

. They were coached by former Kiwis international David Lomax. They entered the competition in 2002 alongside the

Taranaki Wildcats The Taranaki rugby league team (also known as the Taranaki Wildcats, formerly the Taranaki Sharks and the Taranaki Rockets) are New Zealand rugby league team that represents the Taranaki Rugby League. They currently compete in the NZRL National C ...

. They had a close relationship with the

New Zealand Army , image = New Zealand Army Logo.png , image_size = 175px , caption = , start_date = , country = , branch = ...

and its base at Waiouru. In 2006 two New Zealand Warriors were assigned to the club; Micheal Luck & Steve Price. Notable players included:

Jesse Royal Jesse Te Ahukaramu Royal (born 22 March 1980) is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who currently plays for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in the Newcastle Rugby League. He has previously played in the NRL for the Newcastle Knigh ...

Ricky Thorby Ricky Thorby (born 2 October 1985) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League. He previously played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. His posi ...

and Russell Packer. The side never made the finals and in the final season collected the wooden spoon. The club's best result was in 2005 when it finished Ninth out of Twelve teams.

Squad

On 7 June 2015 the following players were selected to play Hawke's Bay: * Aaron Whitikia * Dylan Winiata * Jordan Kerr * Tanira Cooper * Leon Walker * Manaia Osborne * Haze Reweti * Kahura Cameron * Rakai Tuheke * Denzel Lepua * Dane Cooper * Chevy Graham * Codie Christensen * Kane Kelleher * Tiwana Paringatai * Kele Kose * Gordon Karakaitana * Ihaka Johnson * Joe Ratu * Cory Governor * Leoango Tanginoa * Tereki Peneha

References

New Zealand rugby league teams Rugby league in Manawatū-Whanganui 1957 establishments in New Zealand {{Rugbyleague-team-stub