CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2021 AWARDS – LIST OF WINNERS

The full list of winners from the CRL 2021 Awards night, held at Halswell Rugby League Clubrooms on Wednesday night. Congratulations to all clubs, players, coaches, staff, officials, administrators and volunteers honoured for their efforts this season.   Canterbury Rugby League Senior Volunteer of the Year: Annette Pau’u (Riccarton Knights) Rochelle MacPherson Trophy – Administrator…

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WHALERS HARPOON BULLS IN HISTORIC UPSET

Otago is basking in one of the finest hours in its rugby league history after the Whalers pulled off a stunning 36-28 victory over the New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls in a South Island Championship thriller at Ngā Puna Wai. The southern neighbours had not faced off in full-fledged competition in 50 years, but the…

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WELLINGTON STRIKE LATE TO EARN DRAW WITH CANTERBURY WOMEN

Canterbury and Wellington played out a thrilling 20-all draw at Ngā Puna Wai in the NZRL National Women’s Premiership after the Orcas scored a last-minute try. The home side led for 76 minutes after getting off to a flying, Charntay Poko-inspired start, but the Orcas fought back admirably and bagged four of the last five…

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CANTERBURY BULLS WRANGLE PLUCKY RAMS

The New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls made it two from two in the NZRL National Premiership on Sunday – but they were forced to work for their 38-18 victory by a determined and enterprising Southland Rams outfit at Ngā Puna Wai. The Bulls, hamstrung by a glut of uncharacteristic mistakes, held a tenuous 16-12 lead…

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CANTERBURY BULLS OVERPOWER WEST COAST IN 15-TRY ROMP

The New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls flexed their muscle in a dominant NZRL National Men’s Premiership campaign-opening performance, putting away the visiting West Coast Chargers 82-6 at Ngā Puna Wai. The home side piled on eight tries in the first half and another seven after the break. Elder statesman Toi Sepuloni was a standout at…

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CANTERBURY WOMEN FIND GROOVE TO OVERWHELM VIPERS

Canterbury has made an emphatic start to its NZRL National Women’s Competition campaign, overcoming a slow start to defeat a spirited-but-outclassed Mid Central Vipers line-up 38-8 at Ngā Puna Wai. In a comprehensive all-round team performance, the individual display of halfback Charntay Poko was the major talking point of the seven-tries-to-two victory. The former Warriors…

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SWANS SURGE TO SECOND STRAIGHT WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL WIN

A blistering four-try start laid the foundation for Sydenham Swans’ successful defence of the CRL Women’s Premiership crown, overwhelming Woolston Rams in the Grand Final at Ngā Puna Wai for the second year in a row, 32-12. Sydenham stormed to a 22-0 lead before the half-hour mark through a combination of hard-running forwards in the…

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LIONS ROAR TO TAKE OUT GORE CUP

Celebration Lions finished off a vastly-improved 2021 Bartercard NZ CRL Premiership campaign with some silverware, carving out a convincing 30-12 victory over Eastern Eagles to kick off Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai. The Lions always looked in control, keeping the Eagles at arm’s length throughout by scoring the first two tries of each…

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HORNBY NOT HAUNTED BY HISTORY IN CHASE FOR DROUGHT-BREAKING GF WIN

Hornby Panthers are unfazed by their semi-final defeat to Linwood Keas – or their recent Grand Final heartache at the hands of their archrivals – as the clubs prepare for yet another Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership decider on Sunday at Ngā Puna Wai. The Panthers bounced back from a tight, physical 14-10 major semi…

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