The 1953 New Zealand rugby league season was the 46th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
New Zealand defeated Australia 2âÂÂ1 in a Test series. New Zealand were coached by Jim Amos and included Des White, Jimmy Edwards, Ron McKay, Tommy Baxter, Bevin Hough, Bill Sorensen, captain Jimmy Haig, John Bond, George Davidson, Bill McLennan, Bob Neilson, Alister Atkinson, Frank Mulcare, Cyril Paskell, Vern Bakalich and Cyril Eastlake.
The Kangaroos recorded wins over the West Coast, 17âÂÂ11, South Island 66âÂÂ9 in Dunedin, Taranaki, 62âÂÂ3, South Auckland 63âÂÂ11 at Davies Park. They then defeated Auckland 26âÂÂ4 at Carlaw Park. The Auckland side was Des White, Don Clapp, Tommy Baxter, Cyril Eastlake, Vern Bakalich, Bill Sorensen, captain Des Barchard, Jack Wright, George Davidson, Jack Meates, Henry Maxwell, Doug Richards-Jolley and Barry Singe. Australia finished the tour with a 98âÂÂ7 victory over Northland.
The American All Stars arrived in the country after touring Australia. The squad had many injuries and so Des Barchard, Travers Hardwick, Frank Mulcare and Roy Roff joined the All Stars squad. Roy Moore and Dick Haggie also played in some matches. The All Stars lost to Auckland, 26âÂÂ54, on 1 August before beating Taranaki, 21âÂÂ18, on 5 August and Wellington 17âÂÂ8 on 8 August. They then lost to the West Coast 10âÂÂ27 on 11 August and Canterbury 8âÂÂ39 on 15 August before beating North Auckland 26âÂÂ5 on 19 August. They then lost to Auckland MÃÂori, 23âÂÂ40, on 22 August before finishing the tour with a win against South Auckland 22âÂÂ19 on 24 August. The Auckland side was Des White, Jimmy Edwards, Tommy Baxter, Cyril Eastlake, Vern Bakalich, Bill Sorensen, Keith Graham, Henry Maxwell, George Davidson, Jack Meates, Jim Riddell, Doug Richards-Jolley and Bill Goulin.
Jack Redwood stepped down as the New Zealand Rugby League chairman, after serving since 1937.
Auckland again held the Northern Union Cup at the end of the season.
The South Island defeated the North Island 23âÂÂ20 on 2 June.
The South Island included Cyril Paskell, Jimmy Haig, Bill McLennan, John Bond, Bob Neilson, Frank Mulcare, Alister Atkinson, Jock Butterfield and Trevor Kilkelly.
The Meates Cup was presented by West Coast official Bill Meates for competition between the West Coast and Auckland. Auckland won the first contest 12âÂÂ2 at Carlaw Park.
Canterbury defeated Otago 20âÂÂ5 on 2 June as the curtain raiser to the South Island v North Island game.
Auckland included Vern Bakalich, Des White and Jimmy Edwards. Canterbury included Alister Atkinson, Jimmy Haig, Cyril Paskell, Lory Blanchard, John Bond, Jock Butterfield and Trevor Kilkelly.
Pt Chevalier won the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Trophy. Mt Albert won the Rukutai Shield, Ponsonby won the Roope Rooster and Richmond won the Sharman Cup.
St George won the Wellington Rugby League's Appleton Shield.
Sydenham won the Canterbury Rugby League's Massetti Cup.
Sydenham defeated Dunedin Combined 24âÂÂ11 at Taranga Park during Easter Weekend.
Blackball defeated Sydenham 12âÂÂ7 to win the Thacker Shield.