Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls primed for Hawke’s Bay tournament campaign
The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls make their way to Hawke’s Bay today in preparation for the NZRL Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership.
The revamped weekend tournament format will see the team play five matches (of two 25-minute halves) across two days at Mitre 10 Park in Hastings.
It’s a challenging – but exciting – condensed campaign ahead for the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls under incoming coach Tyron Rapana, who takes over in 2026 following Joseph Purcell-Mika’s successful three-year stint at the helm.
“It’s good. It’s different, but I think it’s a good different. It’s a bit more of a step up to what we’ve been used to,” Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls co-captain Cassie Siataga says.
“‘Raps’ is a lot more technical in terms of breaking things down, because a lot of [our players] are rookies this year.
“‘Smokie’ (Purcell-Mika) did an awesome job with us, too. So I think we’re leading off on a good foot from where he left off.”
The squad has come together in the wake of a thrilling conclusion to the CRL Happy Hire Women’s Premiership, where Hornby Panthers won an absolute thriller against Linwood Keas 26-24.
The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls feature nine players from the Panthers and eight from the Keas, along with six Sydenham Swans and two Eastern Eagles.
“It’s been pretty awesome actually, having some of the younger ones come through, and a lot of us played each other in the grand final so it’s good to kind of gel that together and work on our team chemistry – that’s been the main focus,” Linwood playmaker Siataga enthuses.
“I think the skills will come, so we’ve really been focusing on that these last four or five weeks.”
Siataga co-captains the side with Hornby’s Ripena Vaeila Umaga, while the likes of Anika Gates-Thorn (Vaeila Umaga’s premiership-winning co-captain), Kiwi Ferns rep Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe and former Bulls skipper Shade McGregor-Pakau provide a strong core of experience.
But it’s an overwhelmingly youthful team heading to Hawke’s Bay.
“A lot of them have just come out of under-18s and haven’t really had a go at the [NZRL] Women’s Premiership yet,” Siataga explains.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced players helping lead us, along with Pena (Vaeila Umaga). It’s been challenging, but I think results will come because we’ve just been focused more on our team chemistry rather than trying to carry on the high performance stuff. We’ve really been focused on just trying to bring us all together and be on the same page.
“Our younger halves coming through, Leah (Stewart) and Keira (Chambers), they were pretty impressive during our club season and [I’m looking forward to] being able to be out there and direct and help them.
“Also alongside that, we’ve had some of the younger girls that just came back from New Zealand Secondary Schools nationals with Avonside.”
The Avonside Girls’ High School contingent in the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls squad make their second trip North Island trip in as many weeks – and the experience of the gruelling weekend tournament format is set to prove a massive asset.
Metua Cranwell and Ava-Lea Maxwell, standouts in the Keas’ grand final loss, were named in the NZSST Team of the Tournament following Avonside’s third-place finish.
“It’s definitely going to be different this year. The first day we’ve got three games – and three pretty big games against some top teams,” Siataga says of the demanding format.
“We’ve been talking about the most important game is the next game. So we’re just really trying to focus on getting through the first one on the first day and then we’ll re-evaluate. But yeah, definitely completely different compared to what we’re used to.
“But I have no doubt our girls will be able to pull through. And at the end of the day, I think it will probably be survival of the fittest – and our team’s looking pretty fit.
“Everyone will get a run and hopefully we’re able to rest people where we can in our pivotal positions. But I think for the most part, it’s just exciting to get our younger ones out there, get them experiencing this high level of women’s footy.”
The Trillo Metal Women’s Canterbury Bulls face Akarana, Auckland and Waikato on Saturday, then back up to play Wellington and Counties Manukau on Sunday. The top two teams will advance to the final in Auckland in two weeks’ time.
Their outstanding 2025 campaign – including a win over Auckland Vulcans that helped them finish third overall – has instilled confidence in the team ahead of this foray.
“Last year was probably one of the highlights for our women’s Bulls team,” 2025 Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls Sportswoman of the Year Siataga says.
“We unfortunately fell short in our first game (against Akarana) – and I call it first-game jitters – but we were very unfortunate to miss out on the final. I know we’re all aiming for higher this season and hopefully we can get those results.”
The weekend represents something of a mini-homecoming for multi-code star Siataga, who played for the Hawke’s Bay rugby union team in 2025.
For now, though, the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls squad is fizzing to get into camp and plan their assault on the NZRL Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership.
“That’s probably one of the most exciting things about having the weekend tournament is we’re able to be together on that Friday night and get some more team chemistry things running.
“But we’re definitely excited to go to a new venue. I haven’t played in league in Hastings yet.
“I’m sure the weather will probably be a bit like it’s been in Christchurch, we’re expecting a bit of rain, but that might help those hard fields that are up there in the Bay.”
TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS – NZRL SKY SPORTS NATIONAL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 12
10.25am – vs Akarana Falcons (Field 1)
1.10pm – vs Auckland Vulcans (Field 3)
3.55pm – vs Waikato (Field 1)
Sunday, September 13
10.25am – vs Wellington Orcas (Field 3)
1.05pm – vs Counties Manukau Stingrays (Field 2)
Field 1 matches will be broadcast on Sky Sport, while broadcast replays will be uploaded to the NZRL YouTube channel in following days.
