TRILLO METALS MEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS STUNG IN PREMIERSHIP FINAL

The Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls’ outstanding 2025 campaign has ended on a tough note via a 46-0 loss to Counties Manukau Stingrays in the NZRL National Men’s Premiership final at Massey Park in Papakura.

The Stingrays scored three first-half tries and eventually broke down the Walt Wilson-coached Bulls’ resistance with a late flurry of four-pointers to blow out to a scoreline that belied the red-and-blacks’ spirited efforts.

Counties Manukau powered to an 18-0 lead after 25 minutes, with Toaiti Ramsay scoring out wide via a clever set play, before Dylan Tavita and Shawn Hunt muscled over from close range.

The Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls tightened up without the ball for the remainder of the first half, but they were unable to make inroads into the hefty deficit.

The Bulls had a prime opportunity to get on the scoreboard late just before the break with three consecutive sets in the opposition’s red zone, but the Stingrays repelled the visitors’ raid with bruising defence.

Needing to score first points in the second stanza, the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls made a strong start but Stedman Lefau-Sala’s 53rd-minute try pushed Counties Manukau out to 22-0.

After a long impasse, the Stingrays put the match out of reach when Kurt Viliami scored a solo try from a scrum win.

Counties Manukau ran in three late tries, with Hunt and Ramsay completing doubles either side of Arthur Crichton’s four-pointer.

The likes of skipper Etelani Pouli and Sakiusa Lomanikaya consistently created half chances for the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls, while Graeme Patu-Vaega’au provided genuine impact off the bench.

2025 NZRL NATIONAL MEN’S PREMIERSHIP – FINAL

Counties Manukau Stingrays 46 defeated Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls 0 at Massey Park, Papakura, Sunday October 12. Halftime: Counties Manukau 18-0.