Continuity key as Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls chase consecutive national finals

The Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls’ bid for back-to-back NZRL National Premiership final appearances will be underpinned by continuity of an experienced core group of players – making for a seamless transition under first-time representative head coach Sean Spooner.

Eight players who featured the 2026 CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership grand final epic – four from triumphant Eastern Eagles (plus Taniela Leka, who missed the decider) and four from gallant Riccarton Knights – have been included in the 25-strong Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls squad.

Eleven members of the Massetti Cup-winning Linwood Keas have earned a spot, along with two players each from Halswell Hornets and Papanui Tigers, and one from Hornby Panthers.

The Spooner-coached Knights went down 36-30 in an unforgettable Pat Smith Trophy Challenge decider last Sunday, but with his Bulls hat on the match provided plenty of impetus for the campaign ahead.

“It was a great spectacle on the weekend, I think both teams put in a really good effort,” Spooner says.

“You can tell by the scoreline – both teams put on a show.

“Both of the teams had a lot of family involved as well, they obviously come from strong backgrounds too with great support from both communities – it just showed on the weekend that rugby league is still strong in those areas.”

The Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls’ 2024 MVP Danny Samuelu-Latu and 2025 MVP Antonio Lemalu (who was also Players’ Player in 2024), and last season’s Players’ Player Etelani Pouli and Bulls Sportsman of the Year Jamieson Ilalio are all part of the 2026 squad.

Meanwhile, 2025 CRL Sportsperson of the Year Jimmy Wihongi, and seasoned campaigners Ken Tofilau, Kyle and Taniela Leka, Devaun Thompson, Chanel Feala and Graeme Patu-Vaeaga’au all provide stability and vital experience.

“Experience is key for me, I really like to lean on it whenever I can because it’s my first full-time campaign [as coach],” Spooner enthuses.

“To have those guys around the group is going to be very crucial for us. Those types of guys are the ones that you want to follow.

“They’re going to put the team on their backs and hopefully get us the results that we need. They’re definitely the guys that I’m looking at.”

There’s a smattering of youth, however, including a clutch of players who shone in their maiden Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls forays in 2025 such as Joel Leka, Alofa Faaiva, Tom Ruwhiu and Rookie of the Year Jochden Filimoehala, and newcomers like Panthers hooker Kyan Rosie and Keas winger Julius Mumuta.

“Young Kyan, he’s a guy that I’ve been looking at consistently throughout the season – it was a tough selection between him and (Eagles hooker) Isaiah Smith, they’re both very good players,” Spooner explains.

“Julius on the wing, I’m looking forward to seeing him on the end of some good play. I hope he scores some nice tries out there on the edge.”

The revamped representative format for 2026 presents a new set of challenges for the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls, who took out the South Island Championship over the course of four weeks to qualify for the NZRL National Men’s Premiership final – a 46-0 loss to Counties Manukau Stingrays in Papakura.

This season, Ngā Puna Wai hosts the South Island qualifying tournament on the weekend of September 12-13, with the top two teams progressing to the NZRL National Premiership semi-finals in Auckland on September 26. The final will be held the following day.

“The squad’s going to be asked [a lot of] for the whole two days [of the qualifying tournament],” Spooner admits.

“I think everyone’s going to play a role … we’re going to have to be frontloading a lot straight away just to get on top of teams.

“Fast starts are going to be very crucial in this tournament.”

After the Walt Wilson-coached Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls claimed the South Island title in convincing style last year, Spooner says similar expectations have been set in 2026.

Without getting ahead of themselves, the Bulls have their sights set on knocking over a North Island heavyweight in the semis and reaching a second straight NZRL National Premiership decider.

“The bare minimum definitely is winning the South Island comp, that’ll be our first goal.

“Our next goal is definitely giving those Auckland guys a crack and seeing what we can do. Obviously, the format’s going to be different again but I think it’s going to suit us perfectly to really take it to the Auckland guys once we get there.”

Meanwhile, the condensed South Island qualifying format does provide the opportunity for the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls to play extensively at the first-class facilities of their Ngā Puna Wai fortress – with the added bonus of a hearty crowd behind them.

“Canterbury Rugby League has very passionate support, so I’m looking forward to having friends and family get behind them and see these guys in action.

“It’s not very often we get to play at home – to have friends and family there is going to be very crucial for our players.”

Photo Credit: Michelle Wong