CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
DEDICATION UNDERPINS REFEREE VIVAS’ RAPID NSWRL RISE
Porfi Vivas (centre) prior to his Harold Matthews Cup debut, flanked by fellow CRL referee Jack Feavers (right) Three years ago, Porfi Vivas was a novice junior referee still getting to grips with rugby league’s rulebook. But on Sunday the 26-year-old enjoyed yet another milestone on...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.2
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s and Britain’s elite and lower-grade competitions. A host of Canterbury products were in action in the second round of the NSWRL junior reps competitions, as well as the NRL’s Pre-season Challenge and the Super...
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: WARRIORS AND CANTERBURY PLAY TO PACKED SHOW GROUNDS
Ahead of the One New Zealand Warriors' first trial match of 2026 against Manly at McLean Park in Napier our first Flashback Friday of the year relives a landmark Christchurch encounter between the Canterbury provincial team and the fledgling Auckland Warriors. A record 12,811-strong crowd packed out the Addington Show...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.1
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s and Britain’s elite and lower-grade competitions. A host of Canterbury products were in action in the opening round of the NSWRL and QRL junior reps competitions, as well as the NRL’ Pre-season Challenge and...
CEO’S MESSAGE: BUILDING ON CRL’S SUCCESS IN 2026
Welcome to another exciting Canterbury Rugby League season packed with events, initiatives and progress for our game. CRL is exceptionally proud of what was achieved in 2025 by its participants, volunteers and the wider rugby league community. Headlining the highlights reel for 2025 was the hosting of the NZRL National...
WARRIORS 2026 JUNIOR SQUADS STACKED WITH CANTERBURY PRODUCTS
Fifteen Canterbury players have been named in the Warriors’ squads to compete in the NSWRL 2026 junior competitions, the SG Ball Cup (under-19s) and Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s). Six Canterbury Rugby League clubs and four Ōtautahi Christchurch schools are represented in the Auckland-based teams, who take on sides from Sydney,...
CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2025: A YEAR OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT
As 2025 draws to a close, we're reflecting on an action-packed year in which the Canterbury Rugby League community has gone from strength to strength. Flourishing playing numbers, achievements from our juniors in Australian competitions through to international level, valuable partnerships established, thrilling senior club competitions and the historic and...
PAPANUI TIGERS’ RETURN TO MEN’S PREMIER STATUS IN 2026 CONFIRMED
Canterbury Rugby League is pleased to announce the CRL Board endorsed Papanui Tigers’ return to our premier men’s grade at Monday’s Board meeting. As per Canterbury Rugby League’s by-law requirements, Papanui will enter teams in the 2026 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership and CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup...
DIXON AND HOETA STEP INTO CLUB PRESIDENT ROLES
Grassroots rugby league would cease to function without the tireless efforts of female volunteers and administrators, and the girls and women’s game is growing exponentially. Meanwhile, the increasing influence of wahine in leadership roles in the Canterbury Rugby League community is reflected by two recent club president appointments: Lydia Dixon...
CRL BOARD STATEMENT: RUGBY LEAGUE PARK
Tēnā koutou e te hapori rīki o Waitaha. Warm greetings to our whānau and our wider sporting community in Waitaha, Canterbury. Last night, Councillor Andrei Moore shared an honest and important message about the future of Apollo Projects Stadium, historically and proudly known to us all as Rugby League Park....
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.30
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring abroad. A host of Canterbury products have been in action during the recently concluded international schedule. PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako kicked 16 goals across New Zealand’s three victories as the Kiwis took...
WIHONGI’S SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR NOD A LESSON IN LEADERSHIP AND HUMILITY
Though still very much in the ‘young veteran’ class, Riccarton Knights linchpin Jimmy Wihongi’s stellar season of leadership on the paddock and commitment off the field was rewarded with the prestigious Canterbury Rugby League Sportsperson of the Year trophy at Friday’s 2025 CRL Awards. The 25-year-old himself was left stunned...
