Selected by Maurie Robertson, Des Barchard and Des White, Auckland included; Ron McKay, Vern Bakalich, Neville Denton, Bill Sorensen, Ray Webber, Cyril Eastlake, Len Eriksen, Joe Ratima, Jim Patterson, Cliff Johnson, John Yates, Keith Bell and Ian Grey.
They then defeated the Auckland Rugby League champion Ponsonby Ponies 18-5 before beating an "All Stars" selection, consisting of current and former Kiwis, 26–10.
The Auckland team was coached by Des White, managed by Lou Hutt and included; Jim Patterson, Bill Snowden, Dick Haggie, Rex Percy, Keith Bell, Alan Riechelmann, George Turner, Neville Denton, captain Henry Maxwell and vice-captain Tom Hadfield.
[2] Canterbury included John and Jim Bond, Ean Anderson, captain Keith Roberts, Mel Cooke and Kevin Pearce.
This was the first year the Auckland Rugby League used a playoff structure and Ponsonby defeated Otahuhu 16–7 in the inaugural grand final on 13 September.
Neville Denton, Ron McKay, Sam Edwards and Alan Riechelmann played for Marist, as did Brian Reidy who made his senior debut during the season.