The Senior WRL competition involves 9 teams in the Premier Grade with most fielding a Reserve Grade team also: The 5 other clubs that aren't in the Senior WRL are: The winner is awarded the Appleton Shield, which has been in use since 1940.

Results between the two were dissimilar - with Wainuiomata reaching the preliminary final in the first season, and Porirua coming last place in theirs.

They narrowly missed out on a finals spot in 2002, being on equal points but with a lower For and Against than the Marist Richmond Brothers.

In 2006, the then-unnamed Bartercard Cup franchises adopted the name of Wellington Orcas, after the unsuccessful NRL expansion bid.

In 2007 reports emerged that the consortium was looking at the possibility of joining Super League however nothing ever eventuated.