The New Zealand national rugby league team defeated the touring Papua New Guinea side 66-10 before drawing a Test series against the Great Britain Lions 1-all.
Coached by new coach Howie Tamati and managed by Richard Bolton, the squad for the three Test matches was: Matthew Ridge, Richard Blackmore, Gary Freeman, Dean Clark, Tony Kemp, Sean Hoppe, Daryl Halligan, Gavin Hill, Brent Stuart, Duane Mann, Brent Todd, Kevin Iro, Quentin Pongia, Brendon Tuuta, Mark Woods, Tea Ropati, Mike Kuiti and Tawera Nikau.
The New Zealand Māori squad, who finished third, consisted of Peter Edwards, Richie Barnett, Whetu Taewa, Ruben Wiki, Jason Kaulima, David Ewe, David Bailey, Dean Clark, Ken McIntosh, Daryl Beazley, Mark Chambers, John Lomax, Syd Eru, Tukere Barlow, captain Mark Woods and Jason Mackie.
The team was: Justin Paul, Gafa Tuiloma, Tana Umaga, Ruben Wiki, Peter Lima, Gene Ngamu, Tane Manihere, David Fatialofa, Brady Malam, Barry Feuu, Joe Vagana, Willie Poching, Martin Moana.
[5] Ray Haffenden was voted onto the New Zealand Rugby League's board during the year, while former Kiwi Ken Stirling was one of the four directors who lost their positions.
During the pre season, Hugh McGahan ended his career in Christchurch, playing for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters as they defeated a South selection 28–4.
Fa'ausu Afoa, Ken McIntosh, Stu Galbraith, Sean Hoppe, Gene Ngamu, Mark Elia, captain Tony Tuimavave, Logan Campbell, Jason Lowrie and Don Stewart played for the Northcote Tigers, who were coached by Graeme Norton.
[7] The Wainuiomata Lions won the Wellington Rugby League grand final, their third in four years, when they defeated the Upper Hutt Tigers 24–10.
John, Arnold, Tony and David Lomax played for the Wainuiomata Lions, as did Yogi Rogers, Ali Davys, Tana Umaga and Earl Va'a.
Turangawaewae won the Waikato Rugby League grand final, defeating the Hamilton City Tigers, who included Tukere Barlow, 7–6.
The Ngongotaha Chiefs dominated the Bay of Plenty Rugby League competition, winning the Grand Final 30–2 over the Turangi Dambusters.
The Chiefs included former All Black Gary Braid, who had switched codes during the off-season, and player-coach Russell Stewart, while Alex Chan played for Taupo.
[8] The Waitara Bears defended their Taranaki Rugby League championship with a 42-8 grand final win over the Western Suburbs team.
The Repongaere Eels won the Gisborne-East Coast Rugby League title, defeating the Paikea Whalers 22–18 in the Grand Final.
Minor premiers Tamatea won the Hawke's Bay Rugby League title 32–24 over the Flaxmere Falcons in a 100-minute Grand Final that went into double over time.