PAPANUI TIGERS’ 101 REASONS TO CELEBRATE

Canterbury Rugby League’s club competitions take a break over Easter, which provides a deserving spotlight for Papanui Tigers Rugby League Club to belated celebrate a momentous landmark. In 2022, Papanui became only the sixth CRL club to bring up 100 years in existence – but uncertainty around travel due to COVID saw the club postpone…

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VALE GRANT WOODGATE

Hornby Panthers Rugby League Football Club – and by extension, the Canterbury Rugby League community – is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated servants following the passing of Grant Woodgate last week, aged 79. Woodgate gave nearly three-quarters of a century to the game and his beloved club: he started playing rugby…

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RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.3

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL Hornby Panthers junior Jordan Riki‘s 50th NRL game milestone could not have gone much better. As well as Brisbane Broncos flying his parents over from New Zealand (see the below article for the touching jersey…

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CRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 2

Perennial Canterbury Rugby League grand finalists Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers are the only undefeated teams after the opening fortnight of the season, while Halswell Hornets opened their 2023 account with a resounding win in Round 2 of the Massetti Cup. Making their first appearance at home this year, defending champs the Keas carved out…

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CANTERBURY-STACKED SCORPIONS GEAR UP FOR NATIONAL 20s FINAL

South Island Scorpions have carved a dominant path to Saturday’s NZRL National 20s Ruben Wiki Cup final – and the Canterbury influence on the team’s outstanding undefeated campaign so far is palpable. The Scorpions, who come under Southern Zone Rugby League’s umbrella, powered through round-robin play this month in sizzling style, defeating Waikato Mana 46-8…

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RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.2

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL Several ex-Canterbury juniors were in the wars at NRL level in Round 4. The most unfortunate casualty was Hornby Panthers product Fa’amanu Brown, who suffered a dislocated elbow early in the second half of his…

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CRL 2023 CLUB WRAP: ROUND 1

Hornby Panthers and Northern Bulldogs overturned halftime deficits to chalk up season-opening wins, while Linwood Keas grafted out a hard-fought derby victory in a thrilling set of CRL Men’s Premiership Round 1 matches. The Panthers’ 26-20 defeat of Halswell Hornets in the battle of the west featured a monumental comeback, a match-winning hat-trick from a…

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BIG CHANGES FOR EXCITING 2023 CRL CLUB SEASON

The 2023 Canterbury Rugby League club season is just about upon us – a week earlier than usual – and there’s plenty of changes and exciting initiatives for players, coaches, clubs and their supporters to wrap their heads around. Here’s what you need to know ahead of Saturday’s opening round of matches. MASSETTI CUP Firstly,…

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RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.1

The Red and Black Report returns, shining a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL Aranui Eagles junior Jamayne Isaako has been at the forefront of new NRL club the Dolphins’ spectacular 3-0 start to their debut season. The dynamic winger scored two tries in the Dolphins’ Round…

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NRL FOOTY MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO CANTERBURY

The NRL returned to Canterbury in spectacular style on Sunday as a 12,000-strong crowd packed out Rugby League Park to watch Melbourne Storm and the Warriors produce a physical and entertaining final trial in scorching conditions. The Storm came home with a wet sail to win 24-6 after trailing at halftime. While the return of…

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