The 2025 season is the 116th season since the founding of the Auckland Rugby League in 1909.
The men's senior season began with a 3-round qualifying competition for the Fox Memorial Shield where there were 3 pools of 4, with the top 2 teams from each qualifying for the Fox Memorial Premier competition. Richmond Rovers, Papakura Sea Eagles, Te Atatu Roosters, and Point Chevalier Pirates automatically qualified due to finishing in the top 4 in the previous season. The six teams who finished in the top two and won qualification to join them were Otahuhu Leopards, Mount Albert Lions, Manukau Magpies, Bay Roskill Vikings, Marist Saints, and for the first time in many years the Ponsonby Ponies. The teams who had been in the first division who were in the Sharman Cup for 2025 were Howick Hornets, Glenora Bears, and Otara Scorpions. The Steele-Shanks Women's Premiership reduced from seven teams to five with Richmond Roses dropping into the championship (2nd division), and Otara, Taniwharau, and Pakuranga failing to field senior women's teams at all. The competition was made up of teams from Mount Albert, Papakura, Otahuhu, Marist, and Mangere East.
 
 
News.
Premier competitions.
The Fox Memorial Shield competition will begin after a 3-week Fox Qualifying competition. Due to covid disrupted seasons from 2020 to 2022 the Auckland Rugby League decided that “2023 and 2024 will work as a bridge between the 2022 shortened season and by 2025 will see a return to a more exclusive Fox Memorial Premiership competition”, with the 2025 season seeing only 10 teams in the Fox Memorial premiership, down from the 12 teams of 2023 and 2024.
Fox Memorial Competition.
The men's premiership competition started on April 5 with a 3-round grading competition. There were 12 teams competing divided into 3 pools based on their seeding from their finishing positions at the end of the 2024 season.
Fox Memorial Qualifying.
The 3 pools for qualifying were as follows with seedings in brackets based on the 2024 finishing positions:
Pool A Standings.
Round 1.
Otahuhu in all likelihood handed Glenora their heaviest senior team defeat in their 94-year history with a 110–0 victory. Thirteen separate players scored tries for Otahuhu with William Fakatoumafi kicking 16 goals to go with a try for 36 individual points. New signing Sebastine Ikahihifo, a former New Zealand Warrior and Huddersfield Giants player scored a double. Marist easily beat Manurewa 56–10 with William, Cyruss, and Elam Payne scoring the opening tries for the winners.
Round 2.
The Manurewa v Otahuhu match was originally scheduled for Mountfort Park 1: Jack Shelly field but due to the wet weather it was closed and the match was transferred to Otahuhu's home ground of Bert Henham Park.
Pool B Standings.
Round 1.
 Mount Albert recorded a comfortable 42–6 over Hibiscus Coast at Stanmore Bay in a match filmed by Petes Filming. Api Pewhairangi made his debut for the Lions. He had previously played for Parramatta Eels (2013), London Broncos (2016–18), and Te Atatu Roosters (2021–23) as well as representing Ireland. He had also played rugby union for Connacht and Ngati Porou East Coast. The game at Blockhouse Bay reserve saw Bay Roskill score first before Otara ran in four unconverted tries to lead 16–6 at half time. The second half saw the Vikings come back to score five tries to one and record a 14-point win.
Round 3.
 Isaiah Fale scored a double for Mt Albert in their 34–16 win over Otara which secured their place in the Fox Memorial competition for 2025. Dion Fraser converted five of their six tries. Otara had led 6-4 until the 26th minute after an early converted try to Tovia Christopher Tovia. Former Bay Roskill junior, and Glenora and Richmond senior player Solomon Vasuvulagi scored one of Mount Albert's tries. At Blockhouse Bay Reserve the winner would make the Fox Memorial competition. Hibiscus Coast led 18–10 after 48 minutes following a scything run from Korey Craig for a try, however Bay Roskill rallied and scored five converted tries to win comfortably in the end. Former New Zealand Warrior, Ben Henry scoring in the 59th minute. Former professional player and NRL referee Henry Perenara scored Hibiscus Coast's opening try.
Pool C Standings.
Round 2.
 Manukau scored four first half tries to take an 18–0 lead at halftime. Northcote got the score to 22–12 after three unconverted tries but Manukau held them off to all but secure their place in the 2025 Fox Memorial competition. At Paparoa Park Ponsonby caused an upset 30–16 win over Howick. Amaramo Solomona scored a double for the winners with Charles Gabriel converting three of their six tries.
Fox Memorial.
Standings.
Round 1.
Papakura claimed the Stormont Shield for 2025 when they beat Richmond at Grey Lynn Park 30–26. The Stormont Shield match in recent years has been played in the opening round between the two Fox Memorial finalists from the previous season. Arthur Crichton scored a double while James Dowie kicked five goals to go with a try for the Sea Eagles. Siave Togoiu also scored against his former side. Marist caused something of an upset with a 30–26 win over Point Chevalier. Both teams scored five tries but the kicking of Doux Kauhiva was the difference with a 100% conversion rate. Second rower, Johnathan Falelua-Malio scored a double for Marist. At Jack Colvin Park, Ponsonby recorded a win in their first game in the first division for over 30 years. The match was for the Roope Rooster trophy with Ponsonby winning the trophy for the first time since 1973. Both teams also scored five tries each but Te Atatu was only able to convert one, while Charles Gabriel kicked four for the Ponies. At Fowlds Park the visiting Manukau side missed the services of injured Samuel Nati and were unable to score any tries in a 22–2 loss to a Mount Albert side which defended strongly. Dion Fraser scored a try and kicked three goals for the winners.
Round 2.
 Marist trailed Richmond 30-0 after 48 minutes but fought back to make the score a more respectable 30-16. Trujon Nomani-Brown and Waikare Ratima both scored doubles for Richmond who claimed the Eddie Poching Memorial Cup. At Blockhouse Bay Reserve the teams traded tries in the first half with the Vikings taking an 18-16 lead into the break. The Vikings defence held the Ponies out for 39 second half minutes and ran in three tries to claim a ten point win. Xavier Tutaki scored twice for the home side with prolific point scorer Joshua Tanielu kicking four goals to go with a try. Manukau hung around against Papakura at Moyle Park and with 7 minutes to go only trailed 22-16 but the Sea Eagles sealed the win with a late try to Jarney Proctor. Te Atatu scored the upset of the round holding Mt Albert scoreless from the 30th minute to come back from 14-6 down to win 21-14. Zensei Inu organised the backline well with France Leger's clever kicking causing trouble and leading to Patrick Ioane-Unasa's winning try in the right corner following a Leger break and angled kick. Jeremiah Poutu scored a double for Mt Albert against his former team of the past two seasons. At Bert Henham Park, Otahuhu won their fifth straight game clearing out to a 20-6 halftime lead and scoring three more second half tries against a new look Point Chevalier side.
Round 3.
It took a 77th minute try to Ollie Horgan for Richmond to beat Bay Roskill who had levelled the scores minutes earlier with a converted try to Joshua Tanielu. The match was recorded for You Tube by G2G Productions. At Murray Halberg Park, Marist opened the scoring with a try to Jahvaan Powell converted by Doux Kauhiva however they scored no further points with Manukau running in three tries all converted by Fred Muller to give them their first win. Mount Albert claimed the Roope Rooster trophy for the first time since 2020 with an 18-12 win against Ponsonby at Victoria Park which had not seen a Fox Memorial competition game for decades after being the early home of Auckland rugby league in the 1910s before the creation of Carlaw Park. They only led 8-6 at halftime before edging out to victory. Two of the competition favourites met at Prince Edward Park with Otahuhu winning comfortably 34-10 after taking a 12-6 lead into the break. William Fakatoumafi converted four of their tries. Point Chevalier took over their game in the second half against Te Atatu after only leading 16-14 at halftime. Tyrone Hurt-Pickering converted three of their six tries.
Round 4.
Manukau claimed a rugged 22-6 win over Richmond at Moyle Park. They opened the scoring with a try to Taunga Arama before Richmond leveled the scores in the 32nd minute with a converted try to Delamo Atai. On the stroke of halftime the Magpies retook the lead with Paea Fotu crashing over for a 10-6 lead. The second half saw the game stopped for ten minutes after Koronato John was knocked unconscious going in low for a tackle on a Richmond centre. He was eventually able to slowly walk off the field and went to hospital as a precaution. Fred Muller extended the lead to 6 with a 64th minute penalty and then Manukau held Richmond out for repeat sets which included Richmond captain Casey Tomai busting through and nearly scoring but sustaining a head injury and having to leave the field. Manukau moved on to attack and a second try to Arama sealed the game in the 77th minute, with Desmond To'ofohe sneaking across from the play the ball on full time to blow the score out. The Manukau coach told the Counties Sports Hub that "we definitely defended our way to victory... we lost three players through injury the week before against Marist and then another three on Saturday, so we had to put forwards in the backline... through adversity they worked really hard for each other which allowed us to get the win". At Fowlds Park, Mount Albert ran away with the game in the second half with backs Thompson Karena and Isaiah Fale both scoring doubles and Navajo Doyle converting all seven of their tries. Otahuhu continued on their way with yet another thrashing, beating Marist 62-4 at Bert Henham Park after leading 26-0 at halftime. William Fakatoumafi scored twice and added nine conversions for a personal tally of 26. Last years Fox player of the year Fine Vakautakakala scored his first try for his new club in the 30th minute. Tevita Mikaele and Phoenix Hunt also scored doubles. At Prince Edward Park the visiting Te Atatu side nearly sprang a surprise, tying the score in the 76th minute with a try to Moses Oge. It capped a furious second half comeback which saw 16 points in 14 minutes to bring them back from 26-10 down. Francis Leger missed the go ahead conversion before Papakura were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute which James Dowie goaled for a 32-30 win. Tamehana Paruru scored a double for the Sea Eagles while Patrick Ioane-Unasa did the same for the Roosters.
Round 5.
Mount Albert dominated Richmond at Grey Lynn Park, leading 18-0 at halftime and running in five more second half tries. Otahuhu continued on their winning ways with 8 straight including the grading round. The Counties Sports Hub had written prior to the game "the Leopards have been the competitions standout team through the first couple of months - breezing through the qualifiers unbeaten before winning four from four in the premiership". Phoenix Hunt played in his 50th senior game for Otahuhu and capped it with a first half try in their 42-4 over Manukau at Moyle Park. Prop, Connor Taurua-Purcell scored once in each half while William Fakatoumafi converted four tries. At Blockhouse Bay Reserve the visiting Point Chevalier side had a comfortable 52-20 after taking a 32-6 halftime lead. They had eight different try scorers with Mitchell Bebbington scoring twice. James Marriott scored a try and kicked five conversions while Etuate Fukofuka kicking three conversions to go with a try. With the win Otahuhu won the Jack Wright Cup. For Bay Roskill, veteran Ben Henry scored a try while Josh Tanielu crossed for his 4th try in as many games and also converted two tries. Marist dominated field position and possession for almost the entire game against Te Atatu but the Roosters managed to score each time they had a rare opportunity to stay in touch until the 70th minute when the Saints put the game out of reach with tries to Elijah Sami and Lani Graham-Taufa. The Marist forwards restricted Te Atatu to short set gains while marching down field when in possession. For Marist, Graham-Taufa scored twice while Doux Kauhiva scored a 70m runaway try and kicked five conversions. For Te Atatu wingers Romeo Schumann and Patrick Ioane-Unasa scored doubles. At Victoria Park the Papakura team led 22-0 at halftime and ran away with the game in the second half. There had been a long injury break in the first half when Pupi Miller was badly injured and required St John's Ambulance attention before the game could restart. For the Sea Eagles former Tongan rugby international Viliami Lolohea scored twice while James Dowie scored three tries and kicked two conversions. Jordan Kake and Joshua Tafili also scored doubles while another former Tongan rugby international Walter Fifita converted five tries.
Round 6.
Otahuhu continued their dominant run beating last years champions, Richmond, 50-0. Phoenix Hunt scored a first half hat trick with Soakai Taufa scoring tries either side of half time. William Fakatoumafi scored a try to go with 7 conversions. At Walker Park, Mt Albert were 22-14 winners in a game between two form sides with Mt Albert also claiming the Lani Latoa Cup. Latoa died after falling on a ball and breaking his wind pipe while playing for the North Harbour Sea Eagles at Carlaw Park in 1995. The Lions opened the scoring after they regained possession after contesting a kick. A shift to the left saw Kalepo Paualaisa cut through to score. The Lions moved out to a 16-0 lead before Taipari Wikitera scored twice and Garry Tuilekutu once to bring the Pirates back to 16-14. The Lions finished the game off when Kahil Johnson scored by the posts. An injury plagued Te Atatu side struggled against Manukau who had Samuel Nati back from injury. Semisini Lopeti scored a 90m intercept against the run of play early in the game but from then on it was all the Magpies with experienced players Kahn Munokoa (3), captain Desmond To'ofohe (2), Sione Toutai, and Samuel Nati scoring tries. Te Atatu scored a couple of late consolation tries. Following the 79th minute try to Kane Lefleur the referee Leon Williamson called out Manukau centre Paea Fotu from the Manukau huddle and ordered him from the field. Prior to their game with Bay Roskill, the Papakura coach, Ruka Loza told the Counties Manukau Sports Hub we are "looking forward to the game this week as we look to build on the things we did well last week... Bay Roskill have a decent back five so we need to do a good job on trying to limit their metres and be clinical on out attack". Papakura moved out to a 22-0 halftime lead before Bay Roskill mounted a comeback with three tries to narrow the score to 22-16 before late tries to Walter Fifita and Viliami Lolohea sealed the win for the Sea Eagles. At Victoria Park, Marist led 16-0 after 14 minutes but Ponsonby replied with tries to Timor Williams and Molisoni Faiva. Marist gradually widened their margin though to win 44-22. For the Saints, Lani Graham-Taufa scored three tries and Sione Langatau two with Doux Kauhiva kicking six goals.
Round 7.
 In the live streamed game Te Atatu suffered their 5th consecutive loss with Bay Roskill moving ahead of them on the points table through a six tries to three effort. Amanaki Veamatahau and Lawrence Mamia both scored doubles. After three consecutive losses Richmond came up against Ponsonby who had not won since round 1. Richmond scored nine tries and ran away with the game in the second half after it had been 20-16 at halftime. Mike Williams scored a double against his former team while Caleb Savelio-Thompson and Oscar Su'a also crossed twice each. For Ponsonby Max Riechelmann scored at either end of the game. The top of the table clash between Mount Albert and Otahuhu at Fowlds Park was closely fought. A penalty goal by Navajo Doyle gave the Lions an 8-6 half time lead. Midway through the second half Otahuhu took the lead through a grubber kick by Fine Vakautakakala which he fell on over the line. The Leopards continued with their simple game plan of using their size to gain yardage and wear their opponent down though they upped the tempo in the second half. Vakautakakala scored twice as did Jamel Hunt and his brother, Phoenix. The win gave the Otahuhu side the Roope Rooster trophy for the first time since 2010 and was the third time it had changed hands so far this season. Marist's co-captain, Sunia Akau'ola brought up his 100th game for Marist in their match with Papakura at Murray Halberg Park. Papakura was in control of the game at halftime 18-6 and held off the Saints on the back of two tries to Walter Fifita, and one each to Stedman Lefau, Siave Togoiu and Viliami Lolohea. Manukau continued their promising season with a come from 22-14 behind midway through the second half. They scored tries to Fred Muller, Kahn Munokoa, and Paea Fotu to take the win with Muller kicking five goals.
Round 8.
The games were played in a mixture of showers and sunshine following a wet few days across Auckland. All the suburban fields were soft but in otherwise good condition. At Grey Lynn Park the visiting Pt Chevalier side prevailed in a seesaw battle with the lead changing hands four times. Pt Chevalier took an early lead after Richmond let a kick bounce and Pt Chevalier regained the ball and shifted to the right for Malakai Cama to cross easily. Later in the half Kaylis Lundon charged down a kick and threw a pass infield to the supporting Trujon Nomani-Brown who picked up the bouncing ball to score. At halftime Pt Chevalier led 16-12 but Richmond scored three converted tries to take a 28-20 lead. The Pirates finished the strongest with Blade Collins-Kamuhemu who was playing his former side dummying out of dummy half and forcing his way over with the conversion narrowing the deficit to two before a 76th minute penalty by Caleb Laiman tied the scores. He then crossed for the match winner three minutes later. At Bert Henham Park the Otahuhu side ran away with another heavy victory, 72-6 over Te Atatu. Viliami Kuli had a hat trick in 30 minutes and Toaiti Ramsay also went in for three tries while Dylan Tavita and Andrew Nansen scored doubles. William Fakatoumafi added 20 to his season tally of points with a try and 8 conversions. Te Atatu's lone points came from a try to Semisini Lopeti converted by Lucas Adams which had made the scores 6-6 through 12 minutes before the Leopards completely took over. The win also meant that Otahuhu defended the Roope Rooster for the first time after taking it off Mt Albert the previous week. Their opponents, Te Atatu had been the side which began the season with it in their possession. Papakura led 10-8 after 25 minutes following tries to Walter Fifita and Stedman Lefau at Fowlds Park however the Mt Albert side responded with a try to Tommy Beale before halftime and John Aitu in the 55th minute to take the lead. With twenty minutes to go Papakura broke away on the left edge and with Siave Togoiu going in to score Fifita threw a forearm at Jeremiah Poutu in the back play and the try was ruled out with Fifita being sent to the sin bin. Poutu was helped from the field after the incident. The game then swung further Mt Abert's way with Phoenix Sorensen scoring after a break down the left sideline before they swung the ball across the field for Sorensen to exploit the stretched defense. Papakura right winger Jamie Henry replied with a late try but James Dowie's conversion to tie the scores fell short hitting the padding of the left upright. Henry was on debut for his new side and had been playing rugby union in Japan since 2013 and had represented Japan in Sevens and one full international in 2018 against the All Blacks as well as playing for Toyota Verblitz (2017-21), Kamaishi Seawaves (2022-25), and the Sunwolves in 2019. Mt Albert then sealed victory on full time with Marcus Fraser diving over from dummy half. Kahil Johnson converted three of their four tries. At Moyle Park, Manukau won their third game in a row to solidify 4th place. Samuel Nati opened the scoring after dummying and bouncing out of a tackle and scoring under the posts. His second came just before halftime in almost identical fashion. Fred (Leti) Muller finished the scoring with a swerving run which he converted to have 5 from 5 for the afternoon. Timor Williams was the sole scorer for Ponsonby who remain at the bottom of the table on points differential from Te Atatu.
Steele Shanks Women's Premiership.
Fixtures and Results.
Round 1.
The Mt Albert Lionesses easily beat the new Mangere East Lady Hawks side at Cornwall Park 2. Anastasia Sekene scored three tries, and Lua Hakofa and Jade Tuilaepa both scored doubles for the winners. Paulina Morris-Ponga converted eight of their ten tries. In an even match on the Cornwall Park 1 field the reigning champion Papakura Sea Eagles held on for a 6 point win after leading 20-0 midway through the first half. Former New Zealand Warriors and New Zealand womens player Amber-Jessie Kani scored a try for the Sea Eagles. The match was live streamed on the Auckland Rugby League You Tube channel.
Round 3.
At Fowlds Park the Lionesses scored an easy win. They led 28-10 at halftime before easing out to a 38 point win. Patisepa Kengike scored a hat-trick and Anastasia Sekene getting a double. Palina Morris-Ponga converted six of their tries. There were thirteen tries scored at Walter Massey Park though only one was converted (by Tiana Thompson). For the visiting 'Leopards Ladies' they had nine different try scorers making up their 36 points while for the 'Lady Hawks' Kalonikakala Fifita scored a second half double. 
Round 4.
Otahuhu scored three unconverted tries to Jasmin Munro, Georgia Wharton-Benedict, and Jeyla Ropati to take a 12-0 halftime lead before a Mt Albert comeback saw them get it to 12-10 in the 73rd minute when Anastasia Sekene scored. The conversion missed and Otahuhu held on for the win. Shonte To'a scored three tries for Papakura in their easy win over Marist with Tiana-Malia Kawaihoa-Marquez crossing for two tries. Platinum Marsters converted five of their ten tries.
Round 5.
Mt Albert Lionesses took a 28-6 lead into halftime before a big comeback by Pt Chevalier who scored four unvconverted tries but ultimately falling ten points short. For the Lionesses Pamela McHardy scored a try and kicked four conversions. At McManus Park, Onjeurlina Hunt scored a double for the Leopards including one in the 76th minute which levelled the scores with Tiana Thomson's conversion proving the winner. For Papakura, Ana Taumalolo and Shania Berryman scored two tries each but Platinum Marsters was only able to convert one of them and all 18 of their points came in the first half.
Round 6.
In the only round 6 match to be played the Otahuhu Leopards Ladies won a hard fought game against the winless Mangere East Lady Hawks. They led 24-8 soon after halftime but the Lady Hawks scored two tries to one to make the score respectable.For Otahuhu Jasmin Munro scored twice while Tiana Thomson crossed for a try and kicked two conversions. For the Lady Hawks Tiare-Anne Leauga scored a double.
Sharman Cup.
Standings.
The Mt Albert side withdrew from the competition after two default losses midseason forcing a bye for their remaining opponents who were awarded two competition points.
Fixtures and Results.
Round 2.
The match between Mangere East and Otara was recorded for You Tube by G2G Productions.
Round 4.
Glenora's struggles continued losing 54-12 at home. Lemalie Seiuli and Siale Lavulavu both scored three tries for the Hawks. At Birkenhead War Memorial Northcote won 52-22 over Pakuranga with Vinnie Chan running in four tries through the middle section of the game and James Bates converting eight of their nine tries. Johnathan Kusimweray crossed twice for the Jaguars. On Jack Shelly Field the Manurewa side ran away with a 58-4 win after the scores were 16-4 at halftime. Elijah Solomona scored a second half hat-trick with Tyson Slade scoring twice and Nathan Simmons adding five conversions to his try for the Marlins. Waitemata's only try was scored by Roy Meki Siovaiata. At Ngati Ōtara Park the Scorpions burst out to a 24-0 half time lead thanks to four long range tries between the 9th and 21st minutes, and by the end of the game captain Filipo Utai (3), Kurtis Cooper (2), and Atelea Filo (2) had all crossed multiple times. Howick's points came after the break with Mason Te Rore and Lopingi Lama scoring one try each. The match was recorded for You Tube by G2G Productions.
Round 5.
The match between Manurewa and Northcote at Mountfort Park was recorded for You Tube by G2G Productions. Manurewa half Daniel du Plessis slipped through from close to the line and then Jeremiah Tamatimu crashed over to give Manurewa a 10-0 lead. Northcote responded with tries to Tre Stylz Te Awa and Arno Mouton. Manurewa centre Elijah Solomona scored in the right corner to give the home side a 14-12 lead at the half time break. The Tigers however dominated the second half scoring three tries, two of which James Bates converted to go with three other goals to make the score comfortable. Otara beat Pakuranga 62-14 and after the game in an interview with the Counties Sports Hub the Otara coach Willie Maea said "we needed to put in a strong effort as the bye weekend can sometimes act against us... we also have a team focus to protect our backyard by winning our home games...".
Round 6.
The game between Hibisus Coast and Otara was recorded for You Tube by Petes Filming.
Round 7.
Mangere East threatened to win easily against Manurewa, leading 28-6 at halftime but Manurewa held them in the second half for a final score of 40-18. For the Hawks Nukurua Ngere scored three tries. Both Christian Sifakula (6/7), and Nathan Simmons (3/3) kicked a combined 9 for 10 while Simmons also added a try for the Marlins. At Birkenhead War Memorial Park, the home Northcote side won comfortably over Glenora. They extended an 18-0 halftime lead to win 40-6 through nine tries, five of which were converted by Taine Neho. Teremate Teremate scored three tries. Hibiscus Coast scored 40 first half points to 0 at Ti Rakau Park and didn't let up in the second half adding another 32 unanswered points. Korey Craig scored four while Nehumi Teu, Kavana Te Kiri-Ryan, and Nathan Austen all scored doubles. Notana Snowden converted 10 of their 13 tries. Another home team suffered a heavy defeat with Waitemata going down to Otara 70-0 at the Ranui Domain. Tino Palei scored four tries for the Scorpions, while Filipo Utai scored two. Vaicane Marsters also scored twice to go with three conversions. He and Palei only converted five of their fifteen tries.
Championship Women.
Fixtures and Results.
The June 15 match between Glenfield and Richmond was declared a no result. The Glenfield team was then suspended for their next two matches which resulted in default losses. After defaulting to Pukekohe on June 22, the East Coast Bays side withdrew from the competition.