Archive for August 2023
SENZ CANTERBURY BULLS PRIMED FOR NZRL NATIONAL PREMIERHSIP CHARGE
Less than two weeks after another Pat Smith Trophy Challenge grand final epic at Ngā Puna Wai, the SENZ Canterbury Bulls get their 2023 NZRL National Premiership campaign underway at the same venue against Counties Manukau Stingrays. The marquee showdown kicks off at 2pm and is part of a Ngā Puna Wai double-header, with the…
Read MoreRED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.13
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of history, sitting in the box seat to become the first player since Mal Meninga in 1990 to top the premiership’s pointscoring and tryscoring charts.…
Read MoreKEAS PIP PANTHERS IN DRAMATIC PREMIERSHIP DECIDER
Linwood Keas are CRL Men’s Premiership champions again, consigning Hornby Panthers to more Grand Final heartbreak in a 16-14 cliff-hanger at Ngā Puna Wai. The Keas earned their seventh Pat Smith Trophy in eight years – matching the record of the 1971-78 Papanui Tigers – in a dramatic finish to Happy Hire CRL Grand Final…
Read MoreLINWOOD OUTLAST ASHBURTON TO RETAIN ISC CANTERBURY CUP
Linwood Keas secured their second success of the 2023 Happy Hire CRL Grand Final Day via a 20-10 win over Ashburton Barbarians in a gripping ISC Canterbury Cup decider. Ageless club legend Aga Fiso was named player of the match in the wake of the Keas’ fast-finishing victory. The Keas led 10-4 at halftime through…
Read MoreKEAS CLINCH BACK-TO-BACK WOMEN’S TRIUMPHS OVER GALLANT SWANS
Linwood Keas have retained the CRL Women’s Premiership courtesy of a 22-20 Grand Final victory over a valiant Sydenham Swans outfit – the same scoreline that split the rivals in the 2022 decider. The match finished five tries apiece, with the Swans fighting back from eight-point deficits on multiple occasions to take it down to…
Read MoreTIGERS EDGE KNIGHTS IN EXTRA-TIME FOR DIVISION ONE TITLE
The 2023 Happy Hire CRL Grand Final Day kicked off with an absolute thriller at Ngā Puna Wai as Papanui Tigers pipped a resurgent Riccarton Knights 32-26 in extra-time of the Division One decider. The Tigers led 26-0 at halftime with a stiff breeze at their backs, but the Knights produced a phenomenal five-try comeback…
Read MoreTRILLO METALS CANTERBURY WOMEN’S SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR NZRL PREMIERSHIP
The Trillo Metals Canterbury Women’s squad has been named for the upcoming NZRL National Premiership, which gets underway on September 2. The competition returns to its usual post-season place on the calendar after being held in March-April in 2022 in the wake of two COVID-interrupted rep seasons. Canterbury’s most recent assignment was last September, taking…
Read MoreMORE GRAND FINAL HISTORY BECKONS FOR KEAS
Linwood Keas have rewritten the Canterbury Rugby League record books several times in recent years – and they can match the most dominant dynasty in CRL Grand Final history with another victory over fierce rivals Hornby Panthers on Sunday. Linwood’s run of five straight Pat Smith Trophy Challenge triumphs from 2016-20 was unprecedented, while the…
Read MorePANTHERS PRIMED TO REDRESS FINALS BALANCE AGAINST KEAS
Few clubs in the world of rugby league would be as familiar with one another as Hornby Panthers and Linwood Keas. The archrivals have met almost 30 times in the past eight seasons, while they are preparing to square off in the Pat Smith Trophy Challenge for the seventh time in eight years at Ngā…
Read MoreSWANS FIND IDEAL MIX AHEAD OF GRAND FINAL SHOWDOWN
Sydenham Swans are banking on their blend of experienced premiership-winning stalwarts and exuberant first-timers to regain the CRL Women’s Premiership from Linwood Keas on Happy Hire Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday. Champions in 2020-21, the Swans were run down late in a 22-20 thriller in the corresponding showdown last year –…
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