New Zealand 'A'
| Governing body | New Zealand Rugby League |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Rod Ratu |
The New Zealand Residents (also previously known as New Zealand 'A', New Zealand XIII, the Lion Red Cup XIII and currently known as the Bartercard Premiership Selection) are a New Zealand rugby league football representative side that is selected from players competing in domestic competitions.
In 1977 Dane Sorensen became the first New Zealander to be selected for the New Zealand Kiwis while based overseas. Before this date all New Zealand national sides were made up of residents. In 1993 the first Kiwis team took the field that was made up entirely of overseas based players and, since 1994, no domestic based players have been selected for the national side (with the exception of New Zealand/Auckland Warriors players).
In 1994, then Kiwi coach Frank Endacott led a New Zealand Residents side on a tour of Australia.
In 1996 New Zealand XIII participated in the Pacific Challenge and, as the Lion Red Cup XIII, drew in a match against the touring Great Britain side and defeated the touring Papua New Guinea side.
New Zealand XIII competed in the 1997 Oceania Cup, defeating New Zealand Māori in the final. In 1998 a Residents XIII lost two matches to the Auckland Warriors.
New Zealand 'A', coached by Gary Kemble, toured the United States and France in 2002 and, led by Ged Stokes, Great Britain in 2003. These two touring sides featured many players who would go on to have professional careers, including George Carmont, David Fa'alogo, Fuifui Moimoi, Tevita Latu, Phillip Leuluai and Hutch Maiava.
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