Eastern Tornadoes
{{Short description|Defunct NZ rugby league club, based near Auckland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league club
| clubname = Eastern Tornadoes
| image = File:EasternTornadoes.jpg
| emblem =
| fullname = Eastern Manukau Tornadoes RLFC
| nickname =
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| web =
| colours =
| founded = 1999
| exited = {{start date and age|2006}}
| readmitted =
| ground = Ericsson No. 2
| ground2 =
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| ceo =
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| manager =
| captain =
| league = Bartercard Cup
| season =
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| current =
| premierships =
| minorpremierships =
| runnerups = 2001
}}
The Eastern Tornadoes were a New Zealand rugby league franchise that competed in the New Zealand Rugby League's Bartercard Cup and Auckland Rugby League's Super 12 competitions. They were formed to represent the rugby league clubs of East Auckland.
History
The Eastern Tornadoes were formed in 1999 to compete in the Auckland Rugby League's Super 12 competition. They were a merger of the Mt Wellington, Otara and Pakuranga senior sides.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-86969-366-4}}, p.319.
In 2000 they joined the new national Bartercard Cup competition. The team originally included players from the Ellerslie Eagles but in 2004 they joined the Otahuhu Leopards to form the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards, being replaced by the Manurewa Marlins.Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-86969-366-4}}. In 2006 the competition was revamped and they were merged with the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards to form the Tamaki Leopards.
Notable players
{{see also|Category:Eastern Tornadoes players}}
Notable players included: Jeremiah Pai, Gary Tupou, Herewini Rangi, Zebastian Lucky Luisi, David and Paul Fisiiahi and Hare Te Rangi.[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17316316.html Twin Tornadoes cause chaos as they blow past opponents]{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Sunday Star-Times, 16 September 2001
They were coached by James Leuluai.[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17435224.html Bulls brace for potent tornado ]{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Press, 5 May 2001
Bartercard Cup
The team was always a force in the early years, losing the Grand Final in 2001. However, in 2004 and 2005 the club was a shadow of its former self and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||
| width=30 |Season
!width=20 abbr="Played" |Pld !width=20 abbr="Won" |W !width=20 abbr="Drawn" |D !width=20 abbr="Lost" |L !width=20 abbr="Points for" |PF !width=20 abbr="Points against" |PA !width=20 abbr="Points difference" |PD !width=20 abbr="Points" |Pts !width=150 |Position (Teams) !width=250 |Finals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="background: #ccffcc;"
|style="text-align:left;"|2000 |22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 584 | 516 | 68 | 30 | Third (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Semifinal |
| style="background: #ccffcc;"
|style="text-align:left;"|2001 |21 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 641 | 490 | 151 | 31* | Second (Twelve) | Lost Grand Final |
| style="background: #ccffcc;"
|style="text-align:left;"|2002 |16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 512 | 465 | 47 | 20 | Fourth (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Play-off |
| style="background: #ccffcc;"
|style="text-align:left;"|2003 |16 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 675 | 381 | 294 | 23 | Fifth (Twelve) | Lost Elimination Semifinal |
| style="text-align:left;"|2004
|16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 378 | 584| | ||||
| 206 | 13 | Eighth (Twelve) | N/A | ||||||
| style="text-align:left;"|2005
|16 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 339 | 558| | ||||
| 219 | 7 | Eleventh (Twelve) | N/A |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{OldBartercard}}
{{Rugby League in Auckland}}
Category:Rugby league teams in Auckland
Category:Rugby clubs established in 1999
Category:Defunct rugby league teams in New Zealand
Category:Mount Wellington Warriors
Category:1999 establishments in New Zealand