PAPANUI TIGERS’ RETURN TO MEN’S PREMIER STATUS IN 2026 CONFIRMED

By Will Evans | December 10, 2025

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 Premier Reserves competitions. Papanui Tigers…

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DIXON AND HOETA STEP INTO CLUB PRESIDENT ROLES

By Will Evans | December 4, 2025

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 (Northern Bulldogs) and Rebekah Hoeta…

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RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.30

By Will Evans | November 11, 2025

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 out the Pacific Championships. The…

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WIHONGI’S SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR NOD A LESSON IN LEADERSHIP AND HUMILITY

By Will Evans | November 3, 2025

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 at the accolade, however –…

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TRILLO METALS MEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS STUNG IN PREMIERSHIP FINAL

By Will Evans | October 12, 2025

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…

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY: BULLS OVERRUN LEOPARDS FOR INAUGURAL BARTERCARD CUP TITLE

By Will Evans | October 10, 2025

As the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls prepare for their NZRL National Men’s Premiership final showdown with Counties Manukau Stingrays in Papakura on Sunday, Flashback Friday marks 25 years since one of the Canterbury provincial side’s greatest triumphs since taking on the Bulls moniker – the 2000 Bartercard Cup success. Coached by  the late Gerard…

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TRILLO METALS MEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS EYEING UP THEIR PIECE OF HISTORY IN NATIONAL FINAL

By Will Evans | October 9, 2025

After completing an undefeated round-robin campaign against their southern rivals, the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls head to Auckland this weekend determined not to be merely making up the numbers in the NZRL National Men’s Premiership final. Canterbury last won the national title in 2014, while Sunday’s showdown with Counties Manukau Stingrays at Papakura’s Massey…

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PROUD MAGPIES SWOOP FOR LONG-AWAITED PRESIDENTS TOURNAMENT TRIUMPH

By Will Evans | October 9, 2025

The stereotype of magpies liking shiny things is a common misconception, but Addington Rugby League Club is unmistakably still basking in its capture of the Presidents 10s Tournament trophy for the first time. Addington Magpies capped a second straight unbeaten Presidents season by taking out the coveted 10s title in July at Crosbie Park –…

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