The New Zealand national rugby league team lost three tests to Australia, losing 26–6 at Queen Elizabeth II Park, 8–0 at Rotorua International Stadium and 22–14 at Mount Smart Stadium, the third test also doubling as the first game of the 1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup.
[1] The Kiwis were coached by Tony Gordon and the squad for the series was Darrell Williams, Tony Iro, Kevin Iro, Tony Kemp, Mark Elia, Shane Cooper, Clayton Friend, Brent Todd, Barry Harvey, James Goulding, Hugh McGahan, Sam Stewart, Brendon Tuuta, Gary Freeman, Gary Mercer, Duane Mann, Kelly Shelford, Mark Horo, Phil Bancroft and Kurt Sherlock.
The touring party was: Phil Bancroft, Kelly Shelford, Dave Watson, Gary Freeman, Kurt Sherlock, Mark Elia, Kevin Iro, Mike Kuiti, captain Hugh McGahan, Whetu Taewa, Gary Mercer, Francis Leota, Morvin Edwards, Darrell Williams, Tawera Nikau, Wayne Wallace, Sam Stewart, Tony Kemp, Brendon Tuuta, Dean Clark, James Goulding, Esene Faimalo, David Ewe, Adrian Shelford, Brent Todd, Duane Mann, Tea Ropati, Dean Bell, George Mann and Kurt Sorensen.
Ewe and George Mann were called in as injury replacements to Goulding and Ropati while due to their contract terms Bell and Sorensen were only available for the Test matches.
New Zealand then won the second Test match 34–0 to finish the tour and claim the two World Cup points.
The Rest of New Zealand side was: Morvin Edwards, David Ewe, Paul Nahu, Tea Ropati, Tony Iro, Shane Cooper, Neville Woodham, Russell Tuuta, captain Barry Harvey, George Mann, Se'e Solomona, Esene Faimalo, Brendon Tuuta.
The side was coached by Ces Mountford and included Paul and Phil Bergman, Andrew Chalmers and Vince Weir.
They were coached by Ray Haffenden and included Hitro Okesene, Sean Hoppe, Jarrod McCracken, Stephen Kearney, Simon Angell, Whetu Taewa, Blair Harding and Tukere Barlow.
Kelly Shelford of Glenora won the Rothville Trophy as player of the year while Jason Lowrie was the most improved forward and Phil Bancroft topped the points scoring charts.
The Tigers included Marty Crequer, captain Brian McClennan, Tony and Paddy Tuimavave, Jason Lowrie and Sean Hoppe.
[7] The Takahiwai Warriors defeated the Moerewa Tigers 26–15 in the Northland Rugby League grand final.
Ngongotaha defeated Pikiao, who included Gary Mercer, 18–14 in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League grand final.
Western Suburbs defeated the Waitara Bears 14–12 in the Taranaki Rugby League grand final to win the Adam Lile Shield.
The Kaiti Devils defeated the Repongaere Eels 24–14 to win the Gisborne-East Coast Rugby League grand final.