The 1987 New Zealand rugby league season was the 80th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the Interdistricts Series competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. Auckland won the series, defeating the other three inter-district teams.
International competitions
The New Zealand national rugby league team began the season poorly when a domestic based side lost to the touring Queensland side 18–14 in May. Queensland then finished their tour undefeated by thrashing Bay of Plenty 72–6.
The Kiwis then toured Papua New Guinea and Australia later in the year. Coached by Tony Gordon the side was George Lajpold, Joe Ropati, Kevin Iro, Mark Elia, Dean Bell, Shane Horo, Gary Mercer, Sam Panapa, Gary Freeman, Peter Brown, Ross Taylor, Adrian Shelford, Barry Harvey, Wayne Wallace, Dean Lonergan, Mark Horo, Sam Stewart and captain Ron O'Regan. However O'Regan had to withdraw due to injury before the touring party left New Zealand. Dean Bell replaced him as captain while Shane Cooper was called into the squad. The team defeated Northern Rivers 44-12 and Queensland 22-16 before there two test matches. Before the Queensland game the squad was joined by four Australian based professionals; Hugh McGahan, Brent Todd, Clayton Friend and Darrell Williams. As a result, four players were sent home after the Queensland game; Peter Brown and George Lajpold due to injury and Sam Panapa and Joe Ropati due to form. The Kiwis then travelled for Port Moresby and defeated Papua New Guinea 36-22 before returning to Brisbane and upsetting the Australian Kangaroos 13–6. The Kiwis had originally planned to host France in 1987 but the French withdrew from their planned tour of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand due to financial reasons.
The New Zealand XIII that played against Queensland was George Lajpold, Warren Mann, Kevin Iro, Tea Ropati, Gary Mercer, Sam Panapa, Gary Freeman, Adrian Shelford, Barry Harvey, Peter Brown, captain Sam Stewart, Peter Ropati and Mark Horo. Bench: Paddy Tuimavave and Wayne Wallace. Kiwis coach Tony Gordon coached the side. New South Wales Country conducted a two match tour of New Zealand before their annual City vs Country Origin match. They defeated Waikato 18-0 before losing to Auckland 6-44.
The Junior Kiwis made their first ever tour of Great Britain. The side was coached by Bob Bailey and included Jason Lowrie, Jason Palmada, Tony Tuimavave, Mike Steafano, Jarrod McCracken, Kevin Iro, David Bailey, Dean Clark, Mark Nixon, Terry Cuthbert Todd Price, Justin Wallace and Tony Kemp. The Junior Kiwis won all seven games on tour, including two "Tests" against British Amateur Rugby League Association.
The under 17-year old national side included Ken McIntosh, Hitro Okesene, Blair Harding and Tukere Barlow. Maea David, Mark Bourneville (as captain) and Stephen Kearney was included in the under 15-year old side.
Auckland also toured Great Britain. They were coached by Bob Bailey, who had already announced his retirement from the position at the end of the year. The side defeated Leeds, 29–25, and Warrington, 22–16, before losing to St. Helens 52–26. They then lost to Hull F.C. 26-24 before defeating the champion Wigan club 10–6 in front of 10,743 fans at Central Park. They then lost to a Chairman's XIII 12–6 to finish the tour. The squad was: John Ropati, Warren Mann, Shane Cooper, Marty Crequer, Shane Horo, Gary Freeman, Kevin Iro, Paddy Tuimavave, Sam Panapa, Michael Patton, Tea Ropati, Clayton Friend, Peter Brown, Steve Kaiser, Mark Horo, captain Ron O'Regan, Rene Nordmeyer, George Mann, Lindsay Hooker, James Goulding, Dean Lonergan, Peter Ropati and referee Bill Shrimpton.
Dean Bell was the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year.
National competitions
Rugby League Cup
Auckland successfully defended the Rugby League Cup three times at Carlaw Park over the year. They defeated the Bay of Plenty 40–8, Wellington 40-0 and Waikato 82–4.
Interdistricts Series
Auckland defeated the South Island 26–24 at Wingham Park.