On Saturday November the 18th the ARL will Celebrate the Return of the Auckland Rugby league Jersey and Aotearoa NZ Māori celebrates the 30th Anniversary of our Tuakana Tournaments.  From 4 Teams in Wellington in 1993 to 37 Teams in Rotorua this year, there couldn't be a better time or a better game to celebrate this great occasion. 

We last played Auckland at our Rangatahi tournament in 2015 (Puketawhero Park, Rotorua) and again in 2016 (Hicks Park, Hawera) 

2015 | Aotearoa NZ Māori 16 v Auckland 13 

2016 | Aotearoa NZ Māori 34 v Auckland 32 

The 2023 Tuakana Tournament was the strongest we've had in years which made the selection process a difficult task for our coaches Cody Walker (Tāne) & Kath Wharton (Wahine).   Both coaches have worn the Aotearoa NZ Māori jersey as past players and both were involved at this year's tournament to help select their respective teams. 

We are encouraging everyone that attends our Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League tournaments to get along and tautoko our teams. 

Tickets are available to purchase here: https://bit.ly/MaoriVAucklandTickets

Wahine Toa Kickoff |12:30pm

Taane Kickoff | 3:00pm 

Both games will be broadcasted live on Sky Sport

Aotearoa NZ Māori Wahine Toa

Ambryn Murphy-Haua (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Taranaki)

Aroha Savage (Te Whānau ā Apanui)

Chante Temara (Tūhoe, Te Arawa)

Christyl Stowers (Ngāpuhi)

Claudia Finau (Ngāti Kahungunu)

Freesia Pokaia (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Te Rangi)

Harata Butler (Tainui)

Jayjay Taylor (Te Rarawa)

Jonsal Tautari (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine)

Krystal Rota (Te Arawa, Te Rarawa)

Lisa Marie Edwards Rua (Tainui, Ngāti Kuri)

Makayla Eli (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

Nadia Flavell (Ngāti Rangiwewehi)

Rachel Simpson (Ngāpuhi)

Taleenza Nelson (Ngāti Whatua)

Tawny Burgess (Waikato)

TeOriwa Ahuriri (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Manawa)

Tiana-Lee Thorne (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

Wahine Staff

Kath Wharton (Ngāpuhi, Te Hikutu, Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Tahu)

Serena Clark (Waikato)

Rona Peters (Te Aupouri)

Sharlene Atai (Te Hikutu)

Rachel Lelievre (Ngāti Kuia)

Chelsee Peita (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine)

Aotearoa NZ Māori Tāne

Aublix Tawha (Waikato, Ngāti Mahanga)

Cassius Tia (Tainui)

Cole Waaka (Te Atiawa, Tuhoe)

Daniel Ticehurst (Ngāti Toa)

Harry Durbin (Ngāti Porou)

Jake Fowler (Ngāti Porou, Ngai Tahu)

James Flack (Ngai Tahu)

Manaia Waitere (Ngāti Porou)

Navajo Doyle (Whakatohea)

Niwhai Puru (Waikato, Ngāti Mahuta)

Shane Pumipi (Te Roroa)

Siteni Taukamo (Ngāti Porou)

Tahi Baggaley (Ngāpuhi)

Tama Petera (Te Aupouri)

Te Wehi Waitere (Ngāti Porou)

Tyler Slade (Ngāpuhi)

Vincent Rennie (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Whatua O Orakei)

Weller Hauraki (Hokianga, Ngāpuhi)

Tāne Staff

Cody Walker (Waikato)

Tukua Matthews (Waikato)

Aaron Albert (Ngati Haua)

Tyler Sullivan (Ngai Tahu)

Gareth Fraser (Te Arawa)

Article added: Tuesday 07 November 2023