 | This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (September 2023) |
The 2023 Auckland Rugby League season is the 115th season since the founding of the Auckland Rugby League in 1909. The Fox Memorial Shield was won for the 7th time by the Point Chevalier Pirates after they defeated the Richmond Rovers 24–16 in the final on August 19 at Mt Smart Stadium 2. Richmond won the Rukutai Shield for the first time since 2001 which was also the last time they had appeared in the Fox Memorial final. Ollie Tuimavave was awarded the Doug Price Medal for player of the match. The women's competition was won for the first time by the Howick Hornets who beat the Mt Albert Lionesses 36–6 in the final also on August 19. They were awarded the newly made Steele-Shanks Cup. Zayde Sarah-Baldwin won the player of the match award. Mt Albert won the men's Plate competition with a 22–16 win over Te Atatū Roosters with both teams finishing the regular season in 7th and 8th positions in the Fox Premiership. The Sharman Cup was won by the Otara Scorpions who beat Northcote Tigers 30–20 on August 12. It was the second time they had won it with the first being in 2014. Papatoetoe Panthers won the Sharman Cup plate final with a 23–20 win over the Pakuranga Jaguars. Ōtāhuhu Leopards took out the Fox reserve grade competition with a 26–22 win over the reigning champions, the Pt Chevalier Pirates, with Manurewa Marlins winning the Sharman Cup reserve grade competition when they beat Papatoetoe 32–16. The Auckland Rugby League revived the Open Age Restricted competition (90 kg) but only 3 teams fielded sides in the regular season. It is hoped to grow the competition further in 2024. Te Atatū qualified for the final after beating Mt Albert in the semi final, but were defeated comfortably 26–0 by Manurewa in the grand final. Several of the matches were screened live on Sky Sports and a Glenora team then competed in two post season matches against Mt Albert and Te Atatū which were televised on consecutive Wednesday nights. They beat Mt Albert before losing to Te Atatū.