TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY BULLS DOUBLE-HEADER GARNERS A WIN AND A LOSS

It was an afternoon of contrasts for the hosts at Ngā Puna Wai on Saturday as an unforgettable week-long festival of Canterbury Bulls rugby league wrapped up.

The Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls took a huge step towards the NZRL National Men’s Premiership final with a  30-20 victory over Otago Whalers, while the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls’ gallant bid for a spot in the NZRL National Women’s Premiership decider ended via a 44-14 loss to a powerful Counties Manukau Stingrays outfit.

In the opening fixture, the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls laid the platform for their crunch win with a blistering start.

Joel Leka enjoyed a dream start to his provincial debut with a fifth-minute try, before veteran Ken Tofilau ran in back-to-back four-pointers and rookie fullback Thomas Ruwhiu dotted down for his third try in two games to build a 20-0 lead in better than even time.

The Whalers hit back with tries either side of centre Tofilau completing his hat-trick, pegging the halftime scoreline back to 24-10.

Otago crossed for another two tries to set up a tense final 15 minutes, but Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls captain and halfback Etelani Pouli sealed the result for his team with a try four minutes from fulltime.

Walt Wilson’s undefeated Trillo Metal Men’s Canterbury Bulls head to Wellington for a final-round clash with the Orcas.

The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls got off to a flying start against the Stingrays, racing to a 10-0 lead with early tries to mercurial halfback Charntay Poko and versatile centre Bayli Rapira.

But the visitors clicked into gear with four unanswered tries for a 22-10 halftime advantage.

Counties Manukau ran in another four tries after the break – with Freesia Pokoaia and Onjeurlina Hunt completing doubles – but the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls had the final say with indefatigable second-rower Sui Pauaraisa scoring a late try.

The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls finish off a momentous 2025 campaign with a road trip to take on Wellington Orcas next Saturday.

NZRL NATIONAL MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 4

Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls 30 (Ken Tofilau 3, Joel Leka, Thomas Ruwhiu, Etelani Pouli tries; Jimmy Rangiawha 3 goals) defeated Otago Whalers 20 at Ngā Puna Wai

NZRL NATIONAL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 4

Counties Manukau Stingrays 44 defeated Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls 14 (Charntay Poko, Bayli Rapira, Sui Pauaraisa tries; Cassie Siataga goal) at Ngā Puna Wai