CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
CEO’S MESSAGE: BUILDING ON CRL’S SUCCESS IN 2026
Welcome to another exciting Canterbury Rugby League season packed with events, initiatives and progress for our game. CRL is exceptionally proud of what was achieved in 2025 by its participants, volunteers and the wider rugby league community. Headlining the highlights reel for 2025 was the hosting of the NZRL National...
WARRIORS 2026 JUNIOR SQUADS STACKED WITH CANTERBURY PRODUCTS
Fifteen Canterbury players have been named in the Warriors’ squads to compete in the NSWRL 2026 junior competitions, the SG Ball Cup (under-19s) and Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s). Six Canterbury Rugby League clubs and four Ōtautahi Christchurch schools are represented in the Auckland-based teams, who take on sides from Sydney,...
CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2025: A YEAR OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT
As 2025 draws to a close, we're reflecting on an action-packed year in which the Canterbury Rugby League community has gone from strength to strength. Flourishing playing numbers, achievements from our juniors in Australian competitions through to international level, valuable partnerships established, thrilling senior club competitions and the historic and...
PAPANUI TIGERS’ RETURN TO MEN’S PREMIER STATUS IN 2026 CONFIRMED
Canterbury Rugby League is pleased to announce the CRL Board endorsed Papanui Tigers’ return to our premier men’s grade at Monday’s Board meeting. As per Canterbury Rugby League’s by-law requirements, Papanui will enter teams in the 2026 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership and CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup...
DIXON AND HOETA STEP INTO CLUB PRESIDENT ROLES
Grassroots rugby league would cease to function without the tireless efforts of female volunteers and administrators, and the girls and women’s game is growing exponentially. Meanwhile, the increasing influence of wahine in leadership roles in the Canterbury Rugby League community is reflected by two recent club president appointments: Lydia Dixon...
CRL BOARD STATEMENT: RUGBY LEAGUE PARK
Tēnā koutou e te hapori rīki o Waitaha. Warm greetings to our whānau and our wider sporting community in Waitaha, Canterbury. Last night, Councillor Andrei Moore shared an honest and important message about the future of Apollo Projects Stadium, historically and proudly known to us all as Rugby League Park....
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.30
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring abroad. A host of Canterbury products have been in action during the recently concluded international schedule. PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako kicked 16 goals across New Zealand’s three victories as the Kiwis took...
WIHONGI’S SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR NOD A LESSON IN LEADERSHIP AND HUMILITY
Though still very much in the ‘young veteran’ class, Riccarton Knights linchpin Jimmy Wihongi’s stellar season of leadership on the paddock and commitment off the field was rewarded with the prestigious Canterbury Rugby League Sportsperson of the Year trophy at Friday’s 2025 CRL Awards. The 25-year-old himself was left stunned...
CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2025 AWARDS
The complete list of award winners from Canterbury Rugby League's 2025 prizegiving, held at the Hornby Club on Friday, October 31. COMPETITION AWARDS Terry Cox Memorial Trophy (18s boys Grand Final winners): Hornby Panthers Presidents Trophy (Presidents 10s winners): Addington Magpies Kidd-Mitchell Trophy (Division One Grand Final winners): Celebration Lions Carol...
TRILLO METALS MEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS STUNG IN PREMIERSHIP FINAL
The Trillo Metals Men's Canterbury Bulls' outstanding 2025 campaign has ended on a tough note via a 46-0 loss to Counties Manukau Stingrays in the NZRL National Men's Premiership final at Massey Park in Papakura. The Stingrays scored three first-half tries and eventually broke down the Walt Wilson-coached Bulls' resistance...
A WORD FROM THE CEO – CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE’S INCREDIBLE REP SEASON
Sending huge mihi to the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls On behalf of the Canterbury Rugby League Board, staff and clubs, we would like to wish our tāne all the very best in their pursuit of winning the 2025 NZRL National Men’s Premiership this Sunday afternoon. A word from...
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: BULLS OVERRUN LEOPARDS FOR INAUGURAL BARTERCARD CUP TITLE
Canterbury Bulls skipper Maurice Emslie gives the inaugural Bartercard Cup trophy a peck As the Trillo Metals Men's Canterbury Bulls prepare for their NZRL National Men's Premiership final showdown with Counties Manukau Stingrays in Papakura on Sunday, Flashback Friday marks 25 years since one of the...
