[1] The French opened the tour by losing to the Kiwi Colts, who were coached by Frank Endacott and included David Bailey, Whetu Taewa, captain Mark Nixon, Aaron Whittaker, Syd Eru, Jason Lowrie, Simon Angell, Des Maea and Tony Tuimavave.
The squad for the French Tests included Frano Botica, Sam Panapa, Jarrod McCracken, Dave Watson, Richard Blackmore, Kelly Shelford, Gary Freeman, Peter Brown, Duane Mann, Brent Todd, Dean Lonergan, Emosi Koloto, Tawera Nikau, Clayton Friend, George Mann, Mike Patton and Gary Mercer.
The ex-rugby union players playing in the Winfield Cup; John Schuster, Matthew Ridge, Daryl Halligan and Kurt Sherlock were unavailable due to a dispute between the clubs and the NZRL.
Emosi Koloto (Widnes), Gary Mercer and Duane Mann (Warrington), Frano Botica and Kevin Iro (Wigan), Tea Ropati and George Mann (St Helens), David Watson (Hull KR), Clayton Friend (Carlisle), Peter Brown (Halifax), Mike Kuiti (Leeds) and Brad Iti and Darrall Shelford (Bradford Northern) all returned from England for the trial.
The Māori side included Frano Botica, in his first match in the country, Clayton Friend, Jason Lowrie, Sean Hoppe, Solomon Kiri and Kelly Shelford.
The Junior Kiwis were coached by Howie Tamati and included Bryan Laumatia, William Poching, Solomon Kiri, Tana Umaga, Brady Malam and captain Stephen Kearney.
The Invitational side included four players from outside of Auckland; John Lomax, Brent Stuart, Whetu Taewa and Syd Eru.
In late September the North Sydney Bears and Western Suburbs Magpies competed in a $100,000 Lion Red Showdown at Carlaw Park along with Auckland and Canterbury.
[6][11] Joe, John, Peter, Tea and Iva Ropati all played one match together for the Mangere East Hawks on 29 June.
Dean Clark, Des Maea, Francis Leota, Richard Blackmore and Kelly Shelford played for Otahuhu Leopards, who were coached by Joe Gwynne.
[6] The Wainuiomata Lions finished minor premiers and met Randwick in the Wellington Rugby League's Grand Final.
Hornby were coached by Wayne Wallace, managed by Ross Taylor and included Simon Angell, Blair Harding and Mark Nixon.
Halswell included player-coach Gordon Smith, Whetu Taewa and Aaron Whittaker while Brent Stuart played for Addington and Logan Edwards represented Marist-Western.
[8] The Takahiwai Warriors, who included Jason Mackie, again won the Northland Rugby League title, defeating the Portland Panthers 16–8 in the final.
[9] Hamilton City, who included Tukere Barlow, dominated the Waikato Rugby League and won the grand final 13–0 over Ngaruawahia.