The 2022 Auckland Rugby League season is its 114th season since the founding of the Auckland Rugby League in 1909. Point Chevalier Pirates won the Fox Memorial Shield for the 6th time with a 14–12 win over the Glenora Bears.
Manurewa Kowhai, the Manurewa Marlins premier women's team, won the women's premiership when they defeated Point Chevalier 16 points to 6. Their championship team, the Manurewa Whero, won the championship competition.
The Akarana Falcons men's and women's teams both won the New Zealand Rugby League Premiership competitions. The men's team beat Canterbury Bulls 46–4 in the final on October 1 at North Harbour Stadium, while the women beat Counties Manukau Stingrays 24–12 at Mount Smart Stadium on April 16.
The season began with a northern regional age group representative competition for under 16's (Shaun Johnson Shield) and under 18's (Dean Bell Cup). The finals were held on April 2 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. Tāmaki ki te Tonga (South) defeated Tāmaki ki te Raki (North) 20 points to 12 to win the U16 Shaun Johnson Shield. The Under 18 Dean Bell Cup was won by Tāmaki ki te Uru (West), who beat Tāmaki ki te Raki (North) 46–12. The Ruben Wiki Cup for the New Zealand Under 20s teams was won by Akarana Falcons, representing the North Shore and West Auckland clubs. They beat the South Island Scorpions 34–16 in the final at Mt Smart Stadium on April 16. Following this match the New Zealand Women's premiership final was played between Akarana Falcons and Counties-Manukau Stingrays, with Akarana winning their first title in 11 years when they won 24–12.
The Fox Memorial Shield competition was split into 2 sections with 9 teams in section 1 and 10 teams in section 2. This was the first time in many years that all teams were technically eligible to win the premier senior men's title. It did however mean that there were a large number of very lopsided matches. Section 1 however was relatively competitive. In section 2 Glenora Bears and Otahuhu Leopards finished in the top 2 positions and secured home semi finals which they both won to advance to the semi-finals where they met each other with Glenora winning 28–16. In section 1 Point Chevalier Pirates and Howick Hornets met in their semi final with Point Chevalier winning 24–12. In the grand final on August 6, Point Chevalier defeated Glenora before a crowd of 1,000 at Mt Smart Stadium 1 by 14 points to 12. This was the 6th time Point Chevalier had won the Fox Memorial Shield in their history with the previous wins being in 1953, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018. The match doubled as the Stormont Shield final so Point Chevalier had an additional trophy to add to the cabinet. The held on to the Roope Rooster Trophy also after going undefeated in home challenges. Northcote Tigers won the Sharman Cup when they defeated Pakuranga Jaguars 32–28 in the curtain-raiser to the Fox Memorial final at Mt Smart on August 6. this was their 4th time winning the Sharman Cup after previous wins in 1979, 2003, and 2007. Point Chevalier also won the reserve grade title after beating Te Atatu Roosters 18–6 in the Fox Premier firsts final on August 5, while Bay Roskill Vikings defeated Otara Scorpions 22–14 in the Fox Championship Premier firsts final.
The Senior B, Ray Cranch Cup was won by Pukekohe Pythons who beat Takahiwai Northern (Northern Pine) 25–24 in the grand final. Richmond Tokes beat East Coast Bays in the consolation final 36–14.
In the lower grades Otara won the Under 18 boys, Marist won the Under 16 Boys and Mangere East the Under 16 Girls grades. The Under 15 Boys competition was won by Papatoetoe, while the Under 14 Boys was won by Mt Albert, and the Under 14 Girls was won by Mangere East. Ellerslie won the Under 13 Boys competition.
Season news
Fox Memorial The Fox Memorial competition for senior teams for 2022 has been shortened due to covid. It will be played over 13 weekends following a later start date than usual (May 7). There will be 2 sections with 9 teams in section 1 and 10 teams in section 2 with the sections organised based on finishing positions in the senior competitions from the 2021 season. The top 6 teams will progress to the Fox Memorial Premiership after 9 rounds and play in a series of knockout games. The top qualifying team from each section will then compete for the Fox Memorial Shield. Teams who finish in the 7–9 and 7–10 positions will playoff for the Sharman Cup. Waitemata Seagulls were originally in section 1 but withdrew a week prior to the commencement of the competition. Ponsonby Ponies was fielding a premier grade side for the first time in 3 seasons though it was in conjunction with the Glenfield Greyhounds. Their first grade side was the Ponsonby club, while the reserve grade side was from the Glenfield club.
The 2 sections were as follows: Section 1: Howick Hornets, Mount Albert Lions, Point Chevalier Pirates, Bay Roskill Vikings, Northcote Tigers, Otara Scorpions, Manukau Magpies, Manurewa Marlins, and Hibiscus Coast Raiders. Section 2: Glenora Bears, Otahuhu Leopards, Marist Saints, Richmond Rovers, Te Atatu Roosters, Mangere East Hawks, Pakuranga Jaguars, Papakura Sea Eagles, Papatoetoe Panthers, Ponsonby Ponies-(G)
After 9 rounds the 2 teams which gained first round byes from section 1 were Point Chevalier and Howick, while in section 2 Glenora and Otahuhu did the same. In the preliminary finals of the playoffs Mt Albert, Bay Roskill, Te Atatu, and Richmond secured wins to advance to what were effectively quarter final matches. In the quarter-final matches Pt Chevalier defeated Mt Albert, Howick defeated Bay Roskill, Glenora defeated Te Atatu, and Otahuhu defeated Richmond, meaning all four home sides won with no upsets. The semi finals were played at Mt Smart #2 on July 30 with the Glenora defeating Otahuhu 26-18 and the Pt Chevalier beating Howick 24 t0 12.
Pt Chevalier won a tightly contested grand final on August 6 at Mt Smart Stadium #1 by 14 points to 12 to win their 6th ever Fox Memorial title.
Coaching The Mount Albert Lions were coached by former New Zealand international Daniel (David) Fa'alogo, and Matt Sturm. Both were ex-Mount Albert players. Sturm also represented New Zealand Māori. Hibiscus Coast Raiders were coached by former Warrior, Jeremiah Pai, who also represented New Zealand Māori. Northcote were coached by former player David Bhana. Richmond's coach was Ricky Henry. Te Atatu were coached by Phil Gordon for the 4th season, and his 2nd as sole head coach. Brian Lafaele was the Otahuhu coach, while Glenora was led by Tony Benson who had been coaching professionally in England for the past two decades as well as coaching the Kiwi Ferns in 2017–18. The Marist side was coached by Zane Pocklington. The very experienced Bernie Herenara coached the Mangere East Hawks side who were in a rebuilding phase after losing many players to other clubs in the off season. Martin Riding was the coach of the Ponsonby (G) side who were making their first appearance in the top grade for a few seasons. The Howick coach was Ruka Loza, who was head coach of Howick for the first time. Manukau's coach was Tamore Nati. Thaine Ashford was the coach of Manurewa. The coach of Pt Chevalier was Frank Fuimaono. Johnathon Paul was coaching the Bay Roskill Vikings, while Visesio Setefano was the head coach of the Papakura Sea Eagles. Pakuranga's head coach was Pila Hingano.
Promotion/relegation After the 9 rounds of the regular season the top 12 sides were Pt Chevalier, Glenora, Otahuhu, Te Atatu, Howick, Richmond, Marist, Mt Albert, Bay Roskill, Manukau, Otara & Mangere East. While those teams who finished in the bottom 3 in section 1 and 4 in section 2 were Northcote, Pakuranga, Ponsonby, Manurewa, Hbiscus Coast, Papakura, and Papatoetoe. The top 12 were guaranteed a place in the 2023 Fox Memorial premiership with the remaining teams left to compete in the second division Sharman Cup.
Women's competitions As in previous seasons the women's competition matches are being played on Sunday's at 2:30pm. The competing teams in the women's premier grade are: Howick Hornets, Manurewa Wahine Kowhai, Otahuhu Leopards Women, Otara Scorpion Stingers, Point Chevalier Pirates, Ponsonby Ponies, Richmond Roses, and Taniwharau.
The teams in the championship grade are: Manurewa Wahine Whero, Pukekohe Pythons, Marist Saints, Manukau Magpies, and Glenora Bears.
Coaching In the Premier Women's competition the sides are coached by Anthony Murray (Richmond Roses), Dion Briggs (Ponsonby), Louis Papalii (Otara), James Sarah (Howick), Sefuluai Tamotu (Otahuhu), and Bronson Harden (Pt Chevalier).
In the championship competition the sides were coached by Alamoti Finau (Marist), Losi Uele (Glenora Valkyries), Joshua Siaosi (Manukau), Chris Whiumui (Pukekohe), and Anthony Matua (Manurewa Wahine Whero).
Premier 1st's competition The reserve grade competition followed the same format as the Fox Memorial Shield premiership. Each side played as the curtain-raiser to their more senior side. The combined Ponsonby-Glenfield side was known as 'Glenfield P' but was entirely made up from players of the Glenfield club. The Manukau and Pt Chevalier sides emerged from section 1 to make up one semi final, while Te Atatu came up against Otahuhu in the section 2 semi final. In the Premier First Championship for the lower placed teams Otara and Bay Roskill emerged as the winners for each section to meet in the final.
Ray Cranch senior B competition The Ray Cranch Cup, named after the New Zealand international was competed for by Avondale Wolves (affiliated to the Marist club), Pt Chevalier Green, Otara Scorpions Wymondley Strong, Pukekohe Pythons, Richmond Tokes, Otara Scorpions No Excuses, Ponsonby Ponies Central Stallions, Manurewa Marlins, Waitemata Seagulls, East Coast Bays Barricudas, and Otahuhu Snr A Leopards.
Inter-club trophies In addition to the main competition for the Fox Memorial Shield there were also several trophies played for between individual senior sides. Point Chevalier beat Bay Roskill in round 1 to claim their inter-club trophy (Ernie Roiall Memorial Trophy). While Northcote defeated Hibiscus Coast in round 1 to win their inter-club trophy (Ted Dalton Cup). In round 5 on June 11 Pt Chevalier beat Mt Albert 42–16 to retain the Lani Latoa Memorial Cup. Glenora defeated Te Atatu 32–6 at Jack Colvin Park during the regular season to retain the Denis Williams Cup on June 18.
Club teams and grade participation Marist and Mt Albert fielded a combined side in the U16 grade hence their 1.5 and 21.5 totals. Manurewa Marlins and Otara Scorpions fielded the most teams across all grades with 29. Waikato fielded one team in the Masters grade. Takahiwai were a Northland club but fielded their senior side in the Auckland Senior B competition. Avondale Wolves fielded a Senior B side but were affiliated with the Marist Saints club.