Archive for April 2023
CRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 3
Convincing wins from unbeaten perennial heavyweights Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers in Round 3 have set up a blockbuster CRL Men’s Premiership grand final rematch next weekend, while Eastern Eagles opened their Massetti Cup account with a tough win at Kaiapoi. In a Ngā Puna Wai try-fest, the Keas crossed 11 times against Halswell Hornets…
Read MoreCANTERBURY WOMEN GEARING UP FOR HUGE 2023 SEASON
The 2023 Canterbury Rugby League Women’s Premiership kicks off this Sunday, with Sydenham Swans, Woolston Rams, Eastern Eagles and Burnham Chevaliers all aiming to knock defending champs Linwood Keas off their perch. It’s the third straight season these five clubs have vied for the title, following the COVID-condensed 2020 campaign. In Round 1, the Eagles…
Read MoreNZ MEP BUILDS FOUNDATIONS WITH CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE
Head out to the rugby league grounds around Canterbury this weekend and you’ll notice our referees decked out in impressive new kit – courtesy of a partnership with NZ MEP Fabrications that commenced in January. Setting up in Christchurch in 2022 and operating from workshops in New Plymouth and Wellington since 2019, NZ MEP Fabrications…
Read MoreFLASHBACK FRIDAY: HALSWELL SNATCH EPIC ’95 GRAND FINAL
As CRL premiers Linwood prepares to take on Halswell in a Massetti Cup blockbuster at Ngā Puna Wai tomorrow, Flashback Friday is celebrating a truly epic grand final between the clubs – when a shorthanded Hornets side staged an extraordinary comeback to snatch a last-minute 20-19 triumph over the Keas in the 1995 decider. Linwood…
Read MoreSYDNEY SCHOOL TO FACE LOCAL 18S CLUB TEAMS ON CANTERBURY TOUR
Pre-season preparations are ramping up for clubs ahead of Canterbury Rugby League’s Monday night 16s and 18s competitions commencing at Ngā Puna Wai from May 1 – and next week two of our local 18s teams get a valuable chance to test themselves against a visiting Australian side. Famed rugby league nursery St Gregory’s College’s…
Read MoreFLASHBACK FRIDAY: A TRIO OF PAPANUI-HALSWELL GRAND FINALS
With Papanui’s ISC Canterbury Cup clash against Halswell on Saturday a centrepiece of the Tigers’ centenary celebrations this Easter weekend, Flashback Friday revisits the most eventful period of a keen rivalry between the clubs. Papanui and Halswell are intrinsically linked, playing annually for the Kevin Williams Memorial Trophy, named in honour of the Canterbury fullback…
Read MorePAPANUI TIGERS’ 101 REASONS TO CELEBRATE
Canterbury Rugby League’s club competitions take a break over Easter, which provides a deserving spotlight for Papanui Tigers Rugby League Club to belated celebrate a momentous landmark. In 2022, Papanui became only the sixth CRL club to bring up 100 years in existence – but uncertainty around travel due to COVID saw the club postpone…
Read MoreVALE GRANT WOODGATE
Hornby Panthers Rugby League Football Club – and by extension, the Canterbury Rugby League community – is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated servants following the passing of Grant Woodgate last week, aged 79. Woodgate gave nearly three-quarters of a century to the game and his beloved club: he started playing rugby…
Read MoreRED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.3
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL Hornby Panthers junior Jordan Riki‘s 50th NRL game milestone could not have gone much better. As well as Brisbane Broncos flying his parents over from New Zealand (see the below article for the touching jersey…
Read MoreCRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 2
Perennial Canterbury Rugby League grand finalists Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers are the only undefeated teams after the opening fortnight of the season, while Halswell Hornets opened their 2023 account with a resounding win in Round 2 of the Massetti Cup. Making their first appearance at home this year, defending champs the Keas carved out…
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