| Clubname: | South Island rugby league team |
| Nickname: | Scorpions |
| Colours: | Black, White |
| Ground: | Rugby League Park, Christchurch |
| Ground2: | Trafalgar Park, Nelson |
| Ground3: | Wingham Park, Greymouth |
| Runnerups: | 2011 |
The South Island rugby league team is a rugby league team that represents the South Island of New Zealand. They are nicknamed the Scorpions.[1] The side previously represented the Southern Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. However, they now only compete in the under 15 and under 17 National Competitions.[2] Historically, teams representing the South Island played annual fixtures against the North Island and also played touring international sides.[3]
Between 1936 and 2001 the South Island team was a semi-frequent opponent for touring international and provincial teams. The South Island have only recorded 3 wins from 15 games against touring teams.
South Island last played an international side when they played France in 2001, losing 24–18. The team included Robert Henare and Aaron Whittaker.[4] [5] [6]
| Game | Date | Result | Venue | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 August 1936 | England def. South Island 17–3 | 6,000 | 1936 Great Britain Lions tour | |
| 2 | 27 July 1946 | England def. South Island 24–12 | 8,000 | 1946 Great Britain Lions tour | |
| 3 | 24 September 1949 | Australia def. South Island 38–8 | 2,900 | ||
| 4 | 30 June 1953 | Australia def. South Island 66–9 | 2,956 | 1953 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand | |
| 5 | 4 August 1954 | Great Britain def. South Island 32–11 | 1,154 | ||
| 6 | 3 August 1963 | South Island def. South Africa 12–8 | 1963 South Africa Tour of Australasia | ||
| 7 | 2 June 1969 | Australia def. South Island 24–15 | 3,376 | 1969 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand | |
| 8 | 6 August 1974 | Great Britain def. South Island 33–2 | 2,500 | ||
| 8 | 18 September 1976 | South Island def. Combined Sydney 18–17 | |||
| 9 | 25 May 1977 | Australia def. South Island 68–5 | 2,500 | Australia 1977 Rugby League World Cup tour | |
| 10 | 11 June 1980 | South Island def. Australia 12–11 | 3,000 | 1980 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand | |
| 11 | 3 June 1981 | France def. South Island 16–12 | 3,000 | 1981 French Tour of Australasia | |
| 12 | 15 May 1983 | NSW Country def. South Island 22–11 | |||
| 13 | 25 July 1984 | Great Britain def. South Island 36–14 | 2,581 | ||
| 14 | 23 June 1985 | Australia def. South Island 56–0 | 6,800 | 1985 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand | |
| 15 | 2 June 2001 | France def. South Island 24–18 | 2001 French Tour of Australasia | ||
Len Scott was injured during the match and replaced by Allan Seagar for the North Island while for the South Island Sanders was injured and replaced by Doogan. In past years the North Island team was dominated by players from the Auckland competition however the North Island team on this occasion featured players from outside Auckland such as Ted Meyer, Dick Trautvetter, Bob Stephenson, Joe Menzies, Tom Timms, and T Bergan.
For the North Island v South Island trial the Devonport and Ponsonby clubs gave permission for their jerseys to be worn by the respective sides.[7] Mick O’Brien of the South Island team broke his tibia late in the match.
Jim Amos left the field with an injured shoulder for the South Island team and was replaced by E O'Brien.
This was the 10th inter-island match stretching back to 1925. The North Island had won 7, the South Island had won 1 in 1929, with a draw in 1930. Roy Bright, Wilf Hassan and McNeil (Richmond) were selected to play for the North Island but were unavailable. The North Island had 3 players debuting, Bill Telford, Ted Mincham, and W. Large (Hawke's Bay).[8]
During the match R Haslam was running with the ball when he began falling into a hole which had fallen into the ground. In the meantime he had passed the ball and play moved away but was forced to stop once the referee realised what had happened. It had formed near a drain where the water had washed away the soil beneath the ground. A ball boy was photographed standing in the hole ‘buried’ to his waist.[9] The gate receipts for the match were £608 19/ with 15,000 in attendance at the match and the trial curtain-raiser.
Brian Riley was initially named to play for the North Island side but as he was unable to get leave from work to potentially tour Australia if selected he was replaced in the North Island side.
Wally Tittleton was chosen as the North Island captain while Rex King captained the South Island.
This was the first time since 1939 that the North Island v South Island match had been played. The North Island won comfortably scoring 9 tries to 3. The North Island side featured 10 players from the Auckland competition.