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After eliminating their 2025 grand final conquerors in last weekend’s semi, Linwood Keas are primed to go one better in this year’s CRL Happy Hire Women’s Premiership grand final. The Keas overwhelmed Sydenham Swans 36-6 in the semis to extend their winning streak to six matches ahead of their CRL Snap Fitness Grand Final Day…

Eastern Eagles’ appearance in Sunday’s CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership grand final is the culmination of an outstanding campaign, where pre-season goal-setting has come to fruition through dedication and consistent improvement. But the end of the club’s 45-year wait to feature in a decider is an overarching storyline ahead of CRL Snap Fitness…

For the second straight season, Riccarton Knights have hit top gear at the right time to surge into the CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership grand final from third spot. After another momentous preliminary final victory on the road – this time at Linwood Park, following a Halswell Domain ambush in 2025 – Knights…

The NRL has the Clive Churchill Medal, struck for the late champion South Sydney fullback and awarded to the best player in the grand final every year since 1986. In England, the Lance Todd Trophy has gone to the individual standout in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley each year since 1946, while the Harry…

Most know the Pat Smith Trophy is the greatest prize in Canterbury Rugby League, but how much do you know about the man it is named after? As the silverware is polished up and prepared to be awarded for the 60th time on Sunday, to either Eastern or Riccarton after the CRL Whitehead Plumbing &…

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 NRL, NRLW, NSWRL and Super League matches.   Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know! NRL Burnham…

Mana Whenua – Hapū that has mana over a particular takiwā (area or region) Canterbury Rugby League is extremely proud to welcome Mathias Pitama as our first Mana Whenua Director, appointed to the CRL Board on behalf of Ngāi Tūāhuriri. In 2025, CRL undertook a full review of our constitution in response to changes to…

Riccarton Knights have set up a Pat Smith Trophy Challenge showdown with Eastern Eagles on CRL Snap Fitness Grand Final Day, upsetting Massetti Cup winners and defending champs Linwood Keas in a pulsating CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas preliminary final. The Knights snatched a 24-22 victory via a late try and conversion at Linwood Park,…

Canterbury Rugby League welcomed newly appointed New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive Andrea Nelson and NZRL Board Chair Justin Leydesdorff to Ōtautahi Christchurch on Thursday. CRL Chief Executive Malcolm Humm and CRL Board Chair Janelle Riki-Waaka met with Nelson and Leydesdorff for a productive day of discussions focused on the growth and development of the…

Last year’s Pat Smith Trophy Challenge combatants, Linwood Keas and Riccarton Knights, square off in Saturday’s CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership preliminary final for the right to join Eastern Eagles on the 2026 CRL Snap Fitness Grand Final Day. After going through the regular season undefeated, the Keas were ambushed in last weekend’s…