2026 Preview: Keas’ sights set on back-to-back success
Linwood Keas responded to missing out on CRL Grand Final Day for the first time in a decade in spectacular fashion last season, winning everything on offer on the 2025 Canterbury Rugby League calendar.
The cabinet is fully restocked with the Thacker Shield, the Massetti Cup and the Pat Smith Trophy after the Keas won their last six games to finish six competition points clear of the field, then overwhelmed Riccarton Knights 30-6 in the grand final.
Having scaled that peak for the eighth time in 10 seasons, Linwood coach Andrew Auimatagi brushes off any suggestions the squad could be lacking motivation ahead of the 2026 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership.
“We’re looking forward to the season kicking off soon and the boys have been training well, we’ve had a couple of [trial] games up our sleeve now so we’re looking forward to finally getting out there,” Auimatagi says.
“Obviously last year was a good year for us, but I think just with the group we’ve got, they’re not the complacent type and there’s a real tightknit unit there.
“It’s a good balance of young and old, and they got a taste of what it meant, working hard and getting the result last year. I’m pretty sure they’re motivated to go again.”
The Keas could be navigating an experience vacuum this season, however, with veteran grand final specialists Daniel Hartley and Michael Nicholls-Cane still weighing up their top-grade availability for the campaign ahead.
Meanwhile, Jochden Filimoehala has linked with neighbouring Eastern Eagles.
On the flipside, classy young back Genesis Sherlock returns to the club after an invaluable stint in Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs, starting last season in the SG Ball Cup (under-19s) and progressing to the senior men’s Ron Massey Cup.
Monty Tafili, brother of 2025 Mel Cooke Trophy winner Malyche, is another key addition after making the move from rugby union.
“Genesis has been awesome in pre-season and looking really sharp, so I’m excited to see him play in the premier grade,” Auimatagi enthuses.
“We’re stoked to have him, he’s one of our juniors, so it’s great to have him come back from overseas and share his knowledge as well.”
The Keas are also blessed with a group of ‘young veterans’ – players still young in years but with considerable experience in the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership, for the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls and even in Australia.
“Saki Lomanikaya, he was our second-rower last year, pretty much cleaned up in our awards – he had an outstanding year,” Auimatagi praises.
“He’s pretty much been to every training in pre-season and he’s looking primed for another big season – I think he’s someone that’s grown massively over the last couple of years.
“And obviously our captains are still pretty young, but Chanel (Feala) and Etalani (Pouli), they do a great job off the field as well and help keep the boys really bonded as a tight-knit group.”
There’s been plenty of work occurring off the training paddock at Linwood, too.
Auimatagi provided an update on the progress of the Keas’ facilities:
“We’ve got a new changing room which is a great start, so that’s been a massive boost for us, just having that new space.
“We’ve seen the designs of the potential new clubrooms to go right beside it, I think there’s just a few council hoops to jump through but we’re hoping within the next year or two we’ll definitely have the clubrooms at the park.
Frothing to get their title defence underway, the Keas will have to cool their heels for a week longer than their six CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership rivals, having been dealt the Round 1 bye.
Their opening assignment is on Anzac Day at home against the returning Papanui Tigers – a keen club rivalry that includes three grand final showdowns.
Auimatagi was a tryscorer in the Keas’ 2008 grand final victory over the Tigers, while his coaching tenure was in its early stages as the Tigers won at extra-time thriller in the 2015 decider.
“It’s great to see them back, you can see there’s been a big shift in the club culture over there, so it’s awesome for the game,” Auimatagi says.
“We know they’ll be pretty excited to come up against us and we’ll be doing everything we can over the next couple of weeks to make sure we’re ready for a big first game at home.”
