Rugby League Cup

Waikato accepted three challenges for the Rugby League Cup early in the season. They defeated Coastline 64-14 and Hawkes Bay 50-8 before facing a competitive challenge from Taranaki. Taranaki were leading 16–12 with thirteen minutes to go before Waikato scored twice to win 22–16.^[4]

Having already defended the trophy three times, Waikato did not put the Rugby League Cup on the line when they hosted Auckland in the National Provincial Competition.^[5]

National Provincial Competition

All 15 districts competed in the New Zealand Rugby League's 1998 Provincial Competition with teams playing in regional zones.

Auckland

The Glenora Bears defended their Fox Memorial title and also won the Rukutai Shield (minor premiership). Glenora defeated Mangere East 35–6 in the grand final. The Mangere East Hawks won the pre-season Roope Rooster trophy. Ten teams competed in the Super 10 first division.

The Bears were coached by Del Hughes and included Duane Mann, Cliff Beverley, Brian Jellick, Boycie Nelson, Steve Buckingham and Ben Lythe in their side. Mangere East were coached by Joe Gwynne and included Tama Hohaia, Dean Clark, Tukere Barlow, Anthony Seuseu, Des Maea and Esau Mann.^[15]

Fred Robarts from Te Atatu won the season's best and fairest award.^[16] Ben Lythe was the season's top point scorer with 324 points.

The Hibiscus Coast Raiders won the second division Regional Cup while Mount Albert won the Phelan Shield.^[5][17]

Wellington

The Upper Hutt Tigers defeated Petone 24–20 in the Wellington Grand Final, winning the Appleton Shield for the second consecutive year.^[18] Upper Hutt were also the minor premiers while Paremata won the Plate final.

Tino Brown from Marist Northern won the Colin O'Neil Trophy.

Canterbury

Seven teams competed in Canterbury Rugby League's premier grade. The Papanui Tigers won the Pat Smith Challenge Trophy 27–22 over the Halswell Hornets.^[7] The Wayne Wallace coached Hornby Panthers won the Massetti Cup (minor premiership). Halswell featured Aaron Whittaker while Simon Angell played for Hornby, Blair Harding played for Papanui, David Vaealiki played for Sydenham and Phil Bergman and Paul Koloi played for Riccarton-Lincoln.^[19]

Other Competitions

In Northland three district club competitions were staged after costs forced the abandonment of the Northland-wide competition that had run in 1996 and 1997.^[20] The Takahiwai Warriors, celebrating their 65th year, won the Whangarei title while the Hokianga Pioneers won the Bay of Islands title.

Turangawaewae won the Waikato club competition, beating the Hamilton City Tigers 35–18 in the final.^[4][21] The Tigers won the minor premiership.

The Ngongotaha Chiefs won the combined Bay of Plenty-Coastline Super 10 competition, defeating Welcome Bay 33–24 in the Grand Final. Te Paamu won the Coastline competition, finishing as minor premiers before defeating Kawerau 62–10 in the final.^[22]

The Maraenui Phoenix dominated the Hawke's Bay competition, winning the Nines, pre-season, minor premiership and premiership titles. They defeated Taradale-Tamatea United 34–20 in the Grand Final.^[23]

The Waitara Bears defeated Midhirst Magpies 43–10 in the Taranaki Grand Final at Pukekura Park. The Bears also won the minor premiership.^[24]

Linton Army won their first premiership since 1992, by defeating Wanganui's Castlecliff 50–16 in the Grand Final.^[12]

In the South Island, the Whakatu Firebirds defeated the Motueka Tigers 32–28 to win the Nelson-Marlborough title.^[25]

The Marist Saints won the West Coast League in their 75th season, defeating minor premiers, the Waro-rakau Hornets, 23–12 in the Grand Final. The grand final was former Kiwi Wayne Dwyer's final match. He made his debut for the West Coast in 1978.^[26]

The Invercargill Stormers won the 150th Otago-Southland premier competition, defeating the South Pacific Raiders 23–18.^[13] The South Pacific Raiders won the Ellis Cup as the premier Otago champions.