The 1949 New Zealand rugby league season was the 42nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.

New Zealand drew a series against Australia, 1-all. New Zealand were coached by Thomas McClymont and included; Warwick Clarke, Dave Redmond, Maurie Robertson, Tommy Baxter, Bill McKenzie, Abbie Graham, Jack Russell-Green, captain Pat Smith, Bob Aynsley, John Newton, Clarence Hurndell, Charlie McBride, Travers Hardwick, Len Jordan, George Davidson and Ron Westerby.

Australia opened the tour with a 33–7 defeat of South Auckland, before a 39–14 win over the West Coast.^[1] The South Island then lost 8–38 to Australia at Monica Park.^[2] South Island included Bill McKenzie, Len Brown, George Menzies, Jimmy Haig, Pat Smith, Bob Aynsley, John Newton, Lory Blanchard, Charlie McBride and Alister Atkinson.

Australia then defeated Southern Provinces 17-15 before a 33–0 victory over the New Zealand Māori side. Auckland then lost to Australia 18–36 at Carlaw Park. Auckland included Warwick Clarke, Dave Redmond, Tommy Baxter, Maurie Robertson, Doug Anderson, Abbie Graham, Jack Russell-Green, Clarence Hurndell, George Davidson, Bill Spence, Ra Rogers, Graham Burgoyne and Allen Laird.^[3] Australia then defeated Northern Provinces 39–9.

An Auckland Colts team also lost to Australia 16–30. Agreed to as the tenth and final match of the tour, the Colts did not have a chance to train together before the match. The Colts included Des White and Ray Cranch.^[3]