Archive for April 2018
CRL MASSETTI CUP ROUND 1 WRAP
Archrivals Linwood and Hornby turned on an absorbing Round 1 contest befitting of its grand final rematch status at the newly-reopened Leslie Park on Saturday. But the defending premiers took the gloss off the Panthers’ homecoming with a 22-10 victory, setting the tone for another season of classic battles between Canterbury’s heavyweight clubs. The Keas…
Read MoreNORTHERN BULLDOGS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
If there’s any team that is making the perennial Canterbury Rugby League premiership contenders look over their shoulders in 2018, it is surely Northern Bulldogs. After bouncing back from consecutive wooden spoons in 2014-15 and just three wins in 2016 with a vastly improved campaign last year, the Bulldogs have made several massive signings and…
Read MorePAPANUI TIGERS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
After a season as Papanui Tigers’ assistant coach, Darrell Coad takes over the club’s premiers side – but he has a barely recognisable roster to work with in 2018. Shane Endacott hung up the clipboard at the end of last year after a three-season tenure at Papanui, which included a drought-breaking premiership in 2015 and…
Read MoreARANUI/EASTERN EAGLES 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
New coach, new name, back to their spiritual home – 2018 is all about positive change and bringing back tradition out Aranui way. Known as Aranui Eagles since 2006, the club’s premiers are set to go by the Eastern Eagles moniker this year. As Eastern Suburbs, the club won premierships in 1975 and a 1979-81…
Read MoreLINWOOD KEAS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
In 2018 reigning two-time premiers Linwood Keas are aiming to become the first club since Eastern Suburbs (1979-81) to achieve a Canterbury Rugby League grand final ‘three-peat’. Keas coach Andrew Auimatagi is confident complacency and motivation won’t be a problem for his all-conquering side as they look to scale local rugby league’s peak once again.…
Read MoreRICCARTON KNIGHTS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
After three straight finals appearances, the Riccarton Knights faced a challenging overhaul in 2017 after losing a clutch of their best players. Sam Brown’s inexperienced side landed in sixth with two wins and two draws to show for their efforts in 14 outings, but the coach believes the baptism of fire has set his squad…
Read MoreHORNBY PANTHERS 2018 PREVIEW
Hornby Panthers head into 2018 on the back of consecutive grand final losses to archrivals Linwood Keas. But if stability is any guide, the Panthers are well-placed to end their five-season title drought. The club has retained virtually its entire 2017 premiers squad, with the notable exception of veteran Craig Smith – though coach Jed…
Read MoreHALSWELL HORNETS 2018 PREVIEW
Halswell Hornets come into 2018 on the back of two straight Massetti Cup wooden spoons, but a positive finish to last year’s campaign has sparked optimism for a rise up the ladder. The Hornets trumped their bottom-half rivals to claim the Gore Cup, downing fifth-placed Riccarton in the final. “Even though we may have finished…
Read MoreCELEBRATION LIONS 2018 PREVIEW
Celebration Lions were the surprise packet of the 2017 Massetti Cup, reaching the finals for the first time in three years after winning eight and drawing one of their 14 regular-season fixtures. The new-look squad ended their campaign with a gallant 32-24 loss to Papanui in an epic semi-final. But Lions coach Steve Fenika shies…
Read MoreHOME SWEET HOME FOR HORNBY
Hornby Panthers will return to their historic home turf this season, bringing with them hopes of an overdue premiership. The season is shaping as a big one for the club, who had to play away from their Leslie Park base in 2017 due to ground repair. Hornby Panthers President Brent Tomlinson said the club did…
Read More