VALE BILL WHITEHEAD

The Canterbury Rugby League community is mourning the loss of Bill Whitehead QSM, who passed away on Friday, aged 89. To say the game farewells one of its hardest-working and dedicated servants would almost be to undersell his colossal contribution to rugby league locally and nationally. Whitehead has been described as the most decorated man…

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VALE GERARD STOKES

The CRL community is mourning the loss of Kiwi #568 Gerard Stokes, a Canterbury stalwart on and off the field, and one of New Zealand’s most prominent coaches of the past 30 years. He died aged 65 after battling brain cancer. Stokes leaves behind an enormous rugby league legacy that included playing and coaching stints…

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‘TODDY’ HUMBLED BY CRL PLAYER OF THE DECADE HONOUR

Linwood Keas and New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls stalwart Alex Todd’s naming as the Canterbury Rugby League Player of the Decade is a reminder there will always be a place for hard-working, consistent, tough grafters in our game. Following on from Jonny Limmer, who was named the player of the 2000s, Todd was adjudged Canterbury’s…

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CANTERBURY BULLS OVERWHELM WAIKATO IN NGA PUNA WAI TRY-FEST

The New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls stayed in the hunt for a spot in the NZRL National Premiership final courtesy of a 36-24 victory over Waikato Mana in an entertaining Round 2 clash at Ngā Puna Wai. The Bulls held a tenuous 16-10 lead at the break but took the match away from the Mana…

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VIPERS’ LATE SURGE BRINGS CANTERBURY WOMEN UNDONE

The Canterbury women’s team went down to Mid Central Vipers 26-18 in Round 2 of the NZRL National Women’s Premiership at Ngā Puna Wai. Canterbury twice fought back from behind to lead at halftime. But the Vipers scored three tries in the last 12 minutes to snatch a six-tries-to-four victory. Mid Central scored early via…

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NEW BREED USHER IN 20 YEARS OF THE BULLS

New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls coach Andrew Auimatagi has named 10 debutants for Saturday’s clash against Counties Manukau Stingrays at Ngā Puna Wai to kick off the NZRL National Premiership – a campaign that marks 20 years since the Bulls’ triumph in the maiden Bartercard Cup. While there’s a core group of experienced players –…

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CRL GRAND FINAL DAY: KEAS MAKE IT FIVE STRAIGHT IN EPIC DECIDER

Linwood Keas have secured an unprecedented fifth straight Canterbury Rugby League grand final triumph, but rarely during the club’s incredible run has the team been tested as strenuously as they were in their 16-10 Pat Smith Trophy decider win over a gallant Northern Bulldogs outfit. In one of the most bruising and dramatic CRL grand…

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CRL GRAND FINAL DAY: KEAS RETAIN CANTERBURY CUP

Linwood Keas have claimed back-to-back Canterbury Cup premier reserves titles via a 34-14 victory over Northern Bulldogs in the second match of the Grand Final Day triple-header at Ngā Puna Wai.  The Keas held a slender 12-10 lead at halftime but went on a run of 16 unanswered points after the break to lock up…

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CRL GRAND FINAL DAY: SWANS OVERWHELM RAMS IN WOMEN’S DECIDER

Sydenham Swans have powered to a 46-16 victory over Woolston Rams in the 2020 CRL Women’s Premiership Grand Final at Ngā Puna Wai.  The final scoreline defied the ferocity and seesawing nature of the contest for the first hour of the match. The Swans piled on the last five tries after the Rams had narrowed…

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CRL GRAND FINAL WEEKEND A TESTAMENT TO COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Canterbury Rugby League’s 2020 Grand Final weekend is the climax of a club season like no other before it, presenting a unique and unprecedented set of obstacles that required an extraordinary level of commitment, cooperation and flexibility from everyone involved in our game. The six-game schedule kicks off at Ngā Puna Wai on Saturday morning…

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