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| Team information | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Adam Blair |
| Captain | James Fisher-Harris &Dane Gagai |
| Team results | |
| First international | |
(Sydney, Australia; 1908) | |
| Biggest win | |
(Ericsson Stadium No.2,Auckland; 2006) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
(Auckland, New Zealand; 20 July 1910) | |
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 1 (first time in2000) |
| Best result | Pool Stage |
TheNew Zealand Māori rugby league team is arugby league representative side made up ofNew Zealand Māori players.
With some controversy, the team participated in the2000 World Cup asAotearoa Māori.[1] TheSuper League International Board had agreed to give a place in their World Cup to the New Zealand Māori team as they attempted to gain allies during theSuper League war.[1] Despite that World Cup not taking place, theRugby League International Federation repeated the offer for the2000 World Cup when it replaced the Super League International Board following the end of the dispute.[1]

A New Zealand Māori team first toured overseas in 1908 when they visited Australia. This tour was a success, and was followed by another tour to Australia in 1909 and to Great Britain in 1910.

The first game of international rugby league on New Zealand soil was between the Māori and thetouring Great Britain Lions of 1910.[2]
A separate body, the Māori Rugby League Board of Control, was formed in 1934 to administer the game in Māori communities.[3] This governing body was later renamed the Aotearoa Māori Rugby League and in 1992 it was registered as an incorporated society.[3]
The Māori have had a wonderful record of beating international touring teams over the years. In 1983 they visited Britain and a side containing future Kiwi stars likeHugh McGahan,Dean Bell andClayton Friend proved too strong for the amateur opposition they played. For many years, the Māori have competed in the Pacific Cup alongside other teams with a strong presence of New Zealand–based players—Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, so they thought it was right they should have the opportunity to follow these teams to the World Cup. The invitation to the Māori to take part in the 2000 World Cup came about as a result of promises made to them by the defunctSuper League International Board at the height of theSuper League war that tore the game apart in the southern hemisphere.
The Māori team has participated in thePacific Cup (since1974), Super League's1997 Oceania Cup, Papua New Guinea 50th Anniversary (1998),2000 World Cup, World Sevens Qualification (2003) andPacific Rim (2004) competitions.[3]
The Māori competed againstIndigenous Dreamtime team on 26 October 2008 as the curtain raiser to the first match of the2008 World Cup.[4][5] The Māori team lost 34–26.
In 2010, the Māori team played England at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland before the 2010Rugby League Four Nations in New Zealand. After trailing 18–0 at halftime, the Māori came back to draw the match at 18–all.[6]

In October 2013, the side faced the touringMurri Rugby League Team in a two–game series. The Māori side, featuring NRL playersCharlie Gubb,Sam Rapira andBodene Thompson, won the first game 48–18 at Davies Park,Huntly. The second game was played at Puketawhero Park,Rotorua and was won by the Māori side, 32–16.[7][8][9]
In October 2014, the team travelled to Australia to play against the Queensland Māori team at Owen Park,Southport and theMurri Rugby League Team at BMD Kougari Oval,Wynnum.
In 2018 they took part in the NRL Festival of Indigenous Rugby League held in Redfern Sydney against the First Nation Goannas, they were beaten 22–16 in a thrilling finish.[10]
Primary
Primary 1974-2007 | Primary 2008-present |
Alternative
Alternative 1974-2007 | Alternative 2008-present |