New Zealand Māori rugby league team played England in a curtain raiser to the New Zealand v Samoa test match. After trailing 18–0 the Māori came back to draw the match 18-all. The team was coached by Richie Blackmore and Mark Horo and consisted of: Kevin Locke, Sandor Earl, Timana Tahu, Clinton Toopi, Arana Taumata, Rangi Chase, Jeremy Smith, Willie Heta, Aaron Heremaia, Weller Hauraki, Justin Horo, Bodene Thompson, Kevin Proctor, James Tamou, Sam McKendry and Russell Packer. The Kiwi Ferns played two matches against their English counterparts, winning the series 2–0. A New Zealand Residents team was expected to compete in an end-of-season international fixture, but the team pulled out at the last minute. The Residents still assembled and took part in an opposed training session with the New Zealand Kiwis. The team was co-coached by Ken McIntosh and Brent Stuart and included James Blackwell (Counties Manukau), Junior Salevao (South Island), Shaun Metcalf (Auckland), Matt Wanoa (Wellington), Bureta Faraimo (Wellington), Matt Everitt (Wellington), Trent Wallace (Auckland), Karl Edmondson (Auckland), Darin Kingi (Counties Manukau), Jaye Pukepuke (South Island), Alfred Penese (Wellington), Tane Hart (Auckland), Saulala Houma (Auckland). Bench: Suaia Matagi (Auckland), George Mafi (Wellington), Hemi Kemp (Wellington) and Pauly Tuuta (Heartland). At the New Zealand Rugby League awards Shaun Kenny-Dowall was named the International Player of the Year while Lewis Brown won the International Rookie award. Shane Rehm was the Referee of the year, Saulala Houma won the Domestic award and Matt Duffie won the Junior player of the year. Nathan Cayless was given a special recognition award. Benji Marshall later won the World Golden Boot Award as best international player while Shaun Kenny-Dowall finished second in the voting and was named at centre in the international team of the year. At the Maori Sports Awards Stephen Kearney won Coach of the Year while Henry Perenara won the umpire/referee award. Richie Blackmore won the Coach of the Year award at the Counties Manukau Sporting Excellence Awards while the Counties Manukau under 17 side, coached by Blackmore, won the Junior sportsteam award. National competitions Rugby League Cup Canterbury currently holds the Rugby League Cup, having won it from Auckland in 2009. The Cup was not defended in 2010. National Zonal competition Following the Sparc funded review and restructure of the New Zealand Rugby League, seven new zonal teams competed in the 2010 National Zonal competition. Under 15's and Under 17's competitions