The Proud History of the Otahuhu Rugby League Club

The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, Auckland. Their proud history is internationally recognised as the most successful rugby league club in New Zealand having produced 49 Kiwi’s, 11 Auckland Warriors as well as a host of NRL and Super League players since it was first founded in 1911. 

An honourable achievement would be their five Kiwi captains:Roy Christian (Played from 1965 – 1972)Mark Graham (Played from 1977 – 1988)Hugh McGahan (Played from 1982 – 1990)Richard Barnett (Played from 1995 – 2000)Ruben Wiki (Played from 1994 – 2008)

Other notable Kiwi’s that have emerged from Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League club are:Richard Blackmore (Coached Otahuhu Fox Premier from 2006 – 2010)Tawera Nikau – debuted in 1989Manu Vatuvei – debuted in 2005Thomas Leuluai – debuted in 2003Clinton Toopi – debuted in 2001Sam Kasiano – debuted in 2012Frank Paul Nu’uausala – debuted in 2009Elijah Taylor – debuted in 2011Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – debuted in 2013

The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by Auckland Rugby League. Otahuhu has won the Fox Memorial Shield 12 times, the Rukatai Shield 16 times, Roope Rooster 12 times and the Stormont Shield 12 times and in 2017 they won the Sharman Cup.

Otahuhu Leopards is where the famous Graham Lowe first made a name for himself coaching U18s in 1974 and becoming a first grade coach in 1977 and winning the Fox Memorial in his first year. To mention a few of accomplishments he has coached New Zealand Kiwis from 1983 – 1986, awarded the Queens Service Medal in 1986, appointed Chief Executive Officer of Manly Sea Eagles from 2009 - 2011, was made an Officer of the New Zealand of Merit for his services to the community in 2013 and the only non-Australian to coach a State of Origin team.