Rugby league has been played in New Zealand since at least the 1870s, but it took until 1908 for the first official match to be played by the national team. This side, which was termed the "All Golds" to both differentiate it from the "All Blacks" rugby union team and highlight its professional status, quickly became a revered rugby league outfit.
The New Zealand rugby league team eventually became known as the Kiwis, but, although they impressed in test series and one-off matches, they failed to make their mark in Rugby League World Cups throughout much of the mid-1900s. More recently, however, New Zealand have become consistent World Cup contenders; they reached the final at the 1985-88 competition, and in 2008 finally became World Cup champions. Today they are one of the highest-ranked test sides in the world.
Like their rugby union counterparts, the New Zealand rugby league team is famous for its pre-match Haka, an intimidating and rousing challenge to their opponents.
