The main feature of the year was the World Cup final that was played at Eden Park.
At the end of four years, Australia finished top of the table, and, through their victory over Great Britain in Christchurch, the Kiwis qualified to host the final.
Mark Horo Replacements: Shane Cooper & Sam Stewart Coach: Tony Gordon Australia: 1.
Wayne Pearce Replacements: David Gillespie & Terry Lamb Coach: Don Furner Due to the inexperience of the Australian team, the hosts went into the match as favourites in the eyes of many critics.
However, the Wally Lewis-led Kangaroos – boasting the likes of Ben Elias, Allan Langer, Paul Sironen and David Gillespie among their 'inexperienced' – triumphed over the ill-disciplined Kiwis, who at least made sure the victorious Australians were bloodied and bruised for their victory lap.
For the Kiwis, the Iro brothers, Dean Bell, Gary Freeman, Clayton Friend, Mark Graham, Adrian Shelford and Kurt Sorensen dished out the punishment.
It was revealed that Gary Mercer was carrying a rib injury before into match and, in hindsight, should not have played in the final.
A week before the final a Wellington Invitational side gave Australia a solid warm up match, losing 12–24.
Earlier in the season the New Zealand national rugby league team played in several other Test series, included two matches that counted towards the World Cup.
An hour later Tony Gordon announced his team for the World Cup clash against Papua New Guinea.
The team was: Darrell Williams, Shane Horo, Gary Mercer, captain Dean Bell, Kevin Iro, Shane Cooper, Clayton Friend, Adrian Shelford, Peter Brown, Mike Brady, Mark Graham, Sam Stewart, Mark Horo.
The Kiwis victory set up a must win clash with Great Britain the following Sunday, with the winner advancing to the final.
The final Test of the 1988 Great Britain Lions tour of Australasia, it was held at Addington Showgrounds and was won 12-10 by the Kiwis, with Gary Freeman scoring both tries.
[2] As part of the Australian Bicentenary, the Kangaroos played a Rest of the World side coached by Graham Lowe.
[13] Northland Rugby League's Moerewa was eliminated before playing a match due to not having the required number of junior teams.
The Te Atatu Roosters won the Fox Memorial title, defeating minor premiers, the Glenora Bears, 22–16 in the grand final.
Ron O'Regan was the Te Atatu Roosters player-coach, the grand final winning team was: 1.
Kelly Shelford, Dean Lonergan, Mike Patton and Phil Bancroft played for Glenora while Mount Albert Lions were coached by Mike McClennan and included Gary Prohm, Brian McClennan, Mark Bourneville and Kevin Iro.
Minor premiers Petone won the Wellington Rugby League title after defeating Upper Hutt 26–16.
[7] Halswell defeated Marist-Western 24–12 to win the Canterbury Rugby League's Pat Smith Challenge Trophy.
[8] The Moerewa Tigers won the Northland Rugby League title, defeating the West End Jumbos 23–14.
Ngaruawahia defeated the Hamilton City Tigers 30–12 to win the Waikato Rugby League title.
[9] Pikiao won the Bay of Plenty Rugby League grand final, defeating the Ngongotaha Chiefs 26–18.
Western Suburbs won the Taranaki Rugby League grand final 9–7 over the Waitara Bears.
Marist, coached by Tony Coll, included Brent Stuart and captain Wayne Dwyer.