CRL News
KEAS RETURN TO CRL PREMIERSHIP PEAK WITH RESOUNDING GRAND FINAL RESULT
Linwood Keas claimed their eighth Canterbury Rugby League premiership in 10 seasons in emphatic fashion, overwhelming Riccarton Knights 30-6 in the 2025 Pat Smith Trophy Challenge decider to wrap up a massive CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai. The Andrew Auimatagi-coached Keas posted four tries to none in the first half…
Read MoreEAGLES RETAIN CANTERBURY CUP IN GRIPPING DECIDER
Eastern Eagles have retained the CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup, outlasting Halswell Hornets 20-16 in a tense premier reserves grand final. The Hornets repeatedly fought back from double-digit deficits and came agonisingly close to snatching victory in the dying stages, but the Eagles ultimately took the spoils in a match they led from opening minutes…
Read MoreSWANS GO BACK-TO-BACK IN WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL THRILLER
Sydenham Swans are back-to-back CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership champions after holding off table-topping Linwood Keas 24-22 in an epic, seesawing grand final at Ngā Puna Wai. Two-try performances from key spine duo Kyla Lynch-Brown, who claimed player of the match honours in the decider for the second straight year, and Charntay Poko underpinned the Swans’…
Read MoreIT’S A CELEBRATION! LIONS ROMP TO DIVISION ONE TITLE+096
Celebration Lions have capped a dominant CRL Division One campaign with a 46-6 grand final victory over Eastern Eagles at Ngā Puna Wai. The Lions had to overcome a tough, physical opening period and an early deficit before getting on top, however. A valiant Eagles outfit dominated the first 20 minutes with a try to…
Read MoreKEAS DETERMINED TO FINISH OFF DOMINANT CAMPAIGN WITH GF GLORY
On the surface, table-topping Linwood Keas come into the 2025 CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final without a genuine test under their belts for some time. But Keas coach Tyron Rapana believes their semi-final hit-out against Woolston Rams provided the perfect lead-in to their CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day showdown with defending champs Sydenham…
Read MoreSWANS STEELED FOR BACK-TO-BACK BID
Defending CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership champions Sydenham Swans have taken the hard road to the 2025 CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day schedule. But a gritty semi-final win has fortified the Swans for Sunday’s showdown against their 2022-23 grand final conquerors, Linwood Keas. “The ladies are looking good, the intensity has picked up at training…
Read MoreKNIGHTS EYE ONE LAST CONQUEST AFTER HISTORIC GRAND FINAL CHARGE
Several near misses, tough seasons and rebuilds later, Riccarton Knights return to the CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day stage for the first time in 21 years. The Knights face minor premiers Linwood Keas at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday (3pm kick-off) after carving out a stunning 36-16 preliminary final victory over Halswell Hornets. Keeping…
Read MoreBACK TO THE FUTURE FOR KEAS AND KNIGHTS IN 2025 CRL GRAND FINAL
While Linwood Keas line up in their 10th premiership decider in 11 seasons on CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day this Sunday – winning eight titles during that period – opponents Riccarton Knights are gearing up for the big for the first time in 21 years. The Knights’ two grand final appearances, in 2002 and…
Read MoreRED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO. 24
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 latest round of the NRL, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup and the European Super League, as well as the NRLW and NSWRL Women’s Premiership.…
Read MoreCRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY
The Pat Smith Trophy has been Canterbury Rugby League’s ultimate prize for more than half a century, awarded to the winning side in each year’s grand final since a playoffs system replaced the first-past-the-post format to decide the premiership in 1967. Sunday’s CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership decider between Linwood Keas and Riccarton…
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