CRL News
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…
Read MoreCANTERBURY 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…
Read MoreCANTERBURY 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…
Read MoreHARRAWAY-INSPIRED HORNBY END LINWOOD’S REIGN IN CLASSIC GRAND FINAL
Hornby Panthers have secured their first Canterbury Rugby League premiership since 2013, ending Linwood Keas’ five-season tenure as Pat Smith Trophy holders with a 22-16 win in a titanic Grand Final struggle at Ngā Puna Wai. The Panthers led for all but the first eight minutes of the match and were in front by 16…
Read MoreSWANS 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…
Read MoreLIONS 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…
Read MoreHORNBY 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…
Read MoreKEAS MAINTAIN THIRST FOR COMPLETING PREMIERSHIP SIX-PACK
Linwood Keas have broken virtually every Canterbury Rugby League premiership record available during their streak of five straight Grand Final victories. But a high player turnover rate last summer – and the consequent elevation of several youngsters to first grade – ensures lack of motivation won’t be a factor when they face archrivals Hornby Panthers…
Read MoreSWANS AND RAMS SET FOR EPIC WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL REMATCH
Sydenham Swans carried off last year’s CRL Women’s Premiership title with a 46-16 defeat of Woolston Rams, but both captains are anticipating are a much closer-fought contest when the clubs meet again in the 2021 Grand Final at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday. The Swans went undefeated through the regular season before snaring the first…
Read MoreCRL PRELIMINARY FINALS WRAP
The 2021 Canterbury Rugby League Grand Finalists have been decided after a gripping preliminary final weekend. Hornby Panthers will face Linwood Keas in the Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership decider for the fifth time in six seasons, outlasting Halswell Hornets 22-14 at Leslie Park. Bouncing back from their semi-final defeat to the Keas, the table-topping…
Read More