YOUTHFUL PANTHERS OUT TO CAP STUNNING SEASON WITH GF VICTORY

By Will Evans | August 9, 2024 |

Hornby has taken the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership by storm in the club’s first season back in the competition, culminating in a grand final appearance this Sunday after ending Linwood’s reign in last week’s sudden-death semi. Youthful exuberance and attacking flair have been trademarks of the Panthers’ campaign – traits they won’t be trying to…

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SHORTHANDED SWANS RELYING ON EXPERIENCE TO REGAIN WOMEN’S TITLE

By Will Evans | August 9, 2024 |

If Sydenham Swans bounce back from consecutive CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final heartbreakers by inscribing their name on the trophy for 2024, it will be a nod to the squad’s experience and depth after losing a host of key players. Former Kiwi Ferns rep Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, a multiple grand final player of the match…

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CRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY

By Will Evans | August 9, 2024 |

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 Men’s Premiership decider between Hornby Panthers and Halswell Hornets on Happy Hire CRL…

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NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT AS PANTHERS CHASE GRAND FINAL GLORY

By Will Evans | August 8, 2024 |

After his team parlayed a late-season form spike into another grand final opportunity, Hornby Panthers coach Jed Lawrie is determined that his and fellow club legend James Baxendale’s impending departure won’t be a distraction ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Halswell Hornets at Ngā Puna Wai. Lawrie quickly doused any notion of sentimentality being a motivating…

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RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.27

By Will Evans | August 7, 2024 |

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. Canterbury products were in action in the latest rounds of the NRL, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup, Jersey and Flegg Cup (NSWRL under-21s).   NRL Former Hornby winger and Super Rugby star Solomon Alaimalo made his sixth NRL…

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HORNETS END KEAS’ REIGN IN PRELIMINARY FINAL STUNNER

By Will Evans | August 4, 2024 |

Halswell Hornets have earned their first grand final berth since 2014 – and for the first time in 10 years the Pat Smith Trophy Challenge will not feature Linwood Keas – after an unforgettable CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership preliminary final on Saturday. The third-placed Hornets overcame an early 12-point deficit at Linwood…

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY: EX-CHEVALIER TEVAGA MAKES NRL DEBUT

By Will Evans | August 2, 2024 |

Flashback Friday looks back at the NRL debut of Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga, following news the lionhearted Warriors stalwart will be parting ways with the club at the end of the season. The Warriors confirmed they could not find room for the off-contract veteran on their 2025 roster. Papakura’s finest 💙💚❤️ The One NZ…

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NOW OR NEVER FOR CRL HAPPY HIRE GRAND FINAL DAY HOPEFULS

By Will Evans | August 1, 2024 |

CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day spots are on the line across all four senior grades this weekend, including a CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership blockbuster between Linwood Keas and Halswell Hornets. The Keas, searching for their 10th consecutive premiership grand final appearance, went down 18-12 in a gripping major semi at Linwood…

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RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.26

By Will Evans | July 30, 2024 |

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. Canterbury products were in action in the latest rounds of the NRL, NRLW, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup and NSW Women’s Premiership. The Jersey Flegg Cup (NSWRL under-21s) had a competition-wide bye.   NRL Proud Burnham…

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