1991 New Zealand rugby league season

Wellington, who won the Rugby League Cup in 1990, successfully defended the cup twice, defeating the West Coast 44-10 and Bay of Plenty 40-8 before losing the trophy 24–25 to Auckland. Auckland then defeated the Bay of Plenty 58-14 before losing 24–33 to Canterbury, who ended the season holding the trophy.

• Auckland were coached by Owen Wright. The side included Faausu Afoa, David Bailey, Phil Bancroft, Richard Blackmore, Dean Clark, Clayton Friend, Stu Galbraith, Francis Leota, Dean Lonergan, Duane Mann, Tawera Nikau, Sam Panapa, Mike Patton, James Pickering, Paul Okesene, Iva and Peter Ropati, Kelly Shelford, Se'e Solomona, Tony Tatupu, Latham Tawhai, Matthew Tuisamoa and Tony Tuimavave. Bailey made his debut for Auckland.[6]
• The Bay of Plenty were coached by Tony Gordon and captained by Russell Stewart. The side included Gary Mercer and Glenn Donaldson.
• Wellington were coached by new coach Tyrone Paikea and included Mike Kuiti, Barry Harvey, Morvin Edwards, Sonny Whakarau, Robert Piva, John Lomax, Mark Woods, Peter Edwards, Stephen Kearney, Yogi Rogers, Syd Eru, Emosi Koloto and Riki Cowan.[7] Eru, Kearney, Rogers and Cowan all made their debuts for Wellington.
• Canterbury were coached by Frank Endacott and included Simon Angell, Esene Faimalo, Quentin Pongia, Aaron Whittaker, Mike Dorreen, Terry Hermansson, Brent Stuart, Andrew Vincient, captain Logan Edwards, Mark Nixon, Justin Wallace and Whetu Taewa.[8]

In August a Northern Provinces team defeated Southern Provinces 32–10. Northern Provinces included Jason Mackie and Tukere Barlow.

• Northland were coached by former Wigan representative Anthony Murray and included Jason Mackie and went through the season undefeated. Mackie was based in Devonport with the Navy and traveled to Whangarei for matches and training.[9]
• Waikato included Tukere Barlow.

• West Coast included Wayne Dwyer.[10]

The national club competition, called the Lion Red League Nationals for sponsorship reasons, was won by the Northcote Tigers for the third time. The Tigers defeated the Randwick Kingfishers 30–12 to win the National Club Final at Carlaw Park.

The Central-Mosgiel Cobras (Southland) defeated the Wakatipu Giants (Otago) 17–16 to qualify for the tournament.

¹ Flaxmere were disqualified for not paying the entry fee; Randwick were advanced to the quarter-finals.

Minor premiers, the Northcote Tigers, claimed the Fox Memorial with a 23–20 win over the Otahuhu Leopards. The Tigers also won the Stormont Shield, Rukutai Shield and Roope Rooster.[6][11]

Joe, John, Peter, Tea and Iva Ropati all played one match together for the Mangere East Hawks on 29 June.[12] It was the only time all five brothers played in the same team. Tea, Joe and Peter had returned from England for Tea's wedding. Bryan Laumatia also played for Mangere East.

Dean Clark, Des Maea, Francis Leota, Richard Blackmore and Kelly Shelford played for Otahuhu Leopards, who were coached by Joe Gwynne. Richmond included Mike Setefano and James Pickering while David Bailey played for the Te Atatu Roosters and Se'e Solomona played for Glenora.

The Northcote Tigers were coached by Graeme Norton and included captain Tony Tuimavave, Fa'ausu Afoa, Don Stewart, Logan Campbell, Sean Hoppe, Ken McIntosh, Stu Galbraith, Jason Lowrie, Jason Palmada and Latham Tawhai.[6]

The Wainuiomata Lions finished minor premiers and met Randwick in the Wellington Rugby League's Grand Final. Wainuiomata prevailed 14–6 to win the Appleton Shield.[7]

The Wainuiomata Lions included John Lomax, Emosi Koloto, Tana Umaga and Yogi Rogers while the Randwick Kingfishers included George Lajpold, Stephen Kearney, Robert Piva, Barry Harvey and Denvour Johnston. Morvin Edwards and Syd Eru played for Upper Hutt.[7]

Hornby defeated Halswell 18–8 in the Canterbury Rugby League grand final.[8]

Hornby defeated Suburbs 62–10 to retain the Thacker Shield for Canterbury. The score was the highest winning margin and a record total in Thacker Shield clashes.

Hornby were coached by Wayne Wallace, managed by Ross Taylor and included Simon Angell, Blair Harding and Mark Nixon.

Halswell included player-coach Gordon Smith, Whetu Taewa and Aaron Whittaker while Brent Stuart played for Addington and Logan Edwards represented Marist-Western.[8]

The Takahiwai Warriors, who included Jason Mackie, again won the Northland Rugby League title, defeating the Portland Panthers 16–8 in the final. The Pawarenga Broncos were awarded the Far North title after the Ngati Kahu Sharks forfeited the final due to player illness while the Tautoro Commodores defeated the Hokianga Pioneers 32–22 in extra time to win the Bay of Islands title in front of 2,000 fans.[9]

Hamilton City, who included Tukere Barlow, dominated the Waikato Rugby League and won the grand final 13–0 over Ngaruawahia. Martin Moana played for Huntly South. The Turangi Dambusters defeated Pikiao 30–4 in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League final. Russell Stewart played for the Ngongotaha Chiefs.

The Kaiti Devils won the Gisborne-East Coast Rugby League competition with a 28–18 win over Wairoa while the Flaxmere Falcons won the Hawke's Bay Rugby League title 12–10 over the Tamatea Eagles. The Waitara Bears defeated the Western Suburbs Tigers 12–8 to win the Taranaki Rugby League title. Waiouru defeated Linton 18–17 in the Manawatu Rugby League grand final.

Nelson, who were coached by former Kiwi Kevin Dixon, played a three match series against Marlborough, winning the first 30-20 before losing the second 24-32 and drawing the third match 26-all.

Suburbs won the West Coast Rugby League title in its 26th year. Marist included Wayne Dwyer.[10]

The Central-Mosgiel Cobras won the Otago Premiership while He Tauaa defeated the Wakatipu Giants 24–12 in the Southland final.