TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS LAYING FOUNDATION FOR PROGRESS
The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls are gearing up for the 2025 NZRL National Women’s Premiership, galvanised by a core group of recent representative mainstays, returning veterans and talented newcomers.
A longer four-week lead-in to their first game – against heavyweights Akarana in Papakura on September 6 – provides an ideal opportunity to develop combinations and continuity.
“We had our first training on Tuesday – just a bit of a connection and systems – we’ve had some new blood and some girls come back,” second-year Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls head coach Joseph Purcell-Mika says.
“Some of our 18-year-olds are in their first year in rugby league, they’re the fresh kind of players we needed this year and we’re stoked to have them on board.
“We just want the girls to connect and build a good culture … to gel and enjoy themselves, and making sure that we’re doing the right thing on our side as the coaches so they can enjoy their footy as well.”
The bulk of the squad is made up of combatants from an epic CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day showdown – won by Sydenham Swans 24-22 over Linwood Keas – but there’s also a healthy contingent from Hornby Panthers and Woolston Rams, as well as one player from Eastern Eagles.
Two stalwarts integral to the Swans’ triumph are back in the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls fold: middle-forward powerhouse Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, and versatile fellow Kiwi Ferns rep Charntay Poko, who scored two tries in the grand final from hooker.
“Poko’s come back from overseas, last year she was coaching [with the Bulls] but this year she’s on a journey and when she said she was keen to play I couldn’t say no – she’ll be a massive part of our campaign,” explains Purcell-Mika, who has the support of assistant coaches Iuma Mulitalo and Kasiano Petelo.
“Bunty’s just coming back from injury and she had a massive grand final, one of the best on the day. We’re stoked to have them and I can’t wait to get these girls playing.”
Meanwhile, ball-playing whiz Kyla Lynch-Brown, who in a repeat of the 2023 grand final scored two dazzling tries and collected player of the match honours in the Swans’ victory, shapes as a game-breaking spearhead and young leader for this Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls side.
But the dual-code provincial rep has plenty of support in the playmaking department.
“She’s just a natural talent, Kyla. She’s in between the two codes, but she’s available this year and she’ll be a big part of our spine,” Purcell-Mika enthuses.
“We’ve got Cassie (Siataga) back as well – she’s carrying an injury but hopefully she’ll be set for the first game.
“It’s very exciting, this is probably one of the best [women’s] teams I’ve seen while I’ve been with the Bulls.”
Canadian international Caitlin Sears missed Sydenham’s grand final foray, instead taking up a valuable opportunity as a wildcard player at the NRLW Magic Round Rising Talent Invitational in Newcastle.
Sears’ versatility looms as another trump card as Purcell-Mika pieces together his line-up.
“Caitlin’s a utility for us. She’s in Canada at the moment, getting married, but she’ll be back in the campaign in the next couple of weeks and definitely in the side for the first game.”
After a winless 2023 campaign, the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls navigated multiple obstacles to bookend their 2024 NZRL National Premiership campaign with a pair of victories against Wellington and Waikato.
The three Auckland teams proved too strong as the Bulls’ playing ranks were hit by injuries, and the dual selection of several key players in Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup squad and the Scorpions’ National Youth Tournament team.
The 2025 schedule could not be much tougher, following up their opening-round road trip to take on defending champs Akarana with a home game against Auckland at Ngā Puna Wai.
But Purcell-Mika says the team isn’t worrying about their opposition.
“It’s just doing the small things right and competing at trainings.
“If we do that, we can really compete up north – I know all those teams [from Auckland] are quite good, so for us it’s just trying to build a foundation together as a team and making sure we get them right.
“Our goal is to focus on us. When it comes to gameday, I’m sure the girls can switch on.
“I’m actually quite happy we’re playing the top teams in those couple of weeks. After that, we’ll have a good, solid side that’s available. The first game will be a battle – it’s in Auckland – but the girls will be up for a good game and a good challenge.”
While establishing team cohesion and culture that will set the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls up for a strong campaign and for the seasons ahead is at the forefront, Purcell-Mika is acutely aware of the individual opportunities available given the NZRL National Women’s Premiership’s coverage on Sky Sports.
The NRLW’s expansion to 12 teams this season, following the admission of Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the return of the Warriors, has created more avenues to professional contracts for women’s rugby league players.
“The Bulls is a stepping stone to that environment,” Purcell-Mika says.
“I’m hoping these games will expose those girls, because definitely the talent in Christchurch is massive and they just need to be exposed.
“I’m hoping that some good games, playing some good, quality footy will get these girls where [they need to be to] reach their goals in their journeys to become professional NRLW players.”
TRILLO METALS LTD EXTEND SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT OF CANTERBURY BULLS TEAMS
2025 NZRL NATIONAL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP – TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS SCHEDULE
3pm, Saturday, September 6 – vs Akarana at Massey Park, Papakura
2pm, Sunday, September 14 – vs Auckland at Ngā Puna Wai, Christchurch
12pm, Sunday, September 21 – vs Waikato at Ngā Puna Wai, Christchurch
2pm, Saturday, September 27 – vs Counties Manukau at Ngā Puna Wai, Christchurch
2pm, Saturday, October 4 – vs Wellington at League Park, Wellington
