CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
CRL refs on the rise with NZRL Academy and NSWRL pathway support
Canterbury Rugby League has the highest representation of any region in the NZRL Referees Academy, which provides invaluable guidance, development and pathways opportunities for our game’s match officials. CRL referees Jack Feavers, Luke Whittaker, Porfi Vivas, and Micah Lepou make up about half of the 2026 academy, who are selected...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.23
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 the NSWRL’s competitions, as well as the NRL’s Round 19, the second round of the...
CRL Rd 13 Wrap: Knights clinch playoffs spot as massive final round looms
Riccarton Knights sealed a top-four finish and Greymouth Greyhounds took a big step towards a second straight finals appearance in the penultimate round of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership. The Knights remain in outright third after grafting out an 18-6 victory over Halswell Hornets in a crunch...
CRL Rd 13 Preview: Crunch time as top-four rivals lock horns in penultimate round
The battle for top-four spots goes into overdrive in the penultimate round of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership. The winner of the clash between Halswell Hornets and Riccarton Knights at Halswell Domain will finish the weekend in third spot. The third-placed Knights have a two-point break on...
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: WHITE AND MOHI EARN HISTORIC MĀORI SELECTION
As we celebrate Matariki weekend, Flashback Friday revisits the historic selection of Canterbury duo Pat White and Mita Mohi for New Zealand Māori in 1962. Māori rugby league boasts a rich history dating back to 1908, when a squad made a historic tour of Australia – playing their first match...
Sidekick Chartered Accountants teams up with CRL to support youth and senior rugby league
Canterbury Rugby League is proud to acknowledge the support of Sidekick Chartered Accountants, who have come on board to support the CRL Canterbury Cup Conference League, CRL Youth Grand Final Day and the Canterbury Bulls Under-18s Boys team in 2026. Sidekick’s multi-faceted support of youth rugby league, as well as...
Isaac Group teams up with CRL to help build grassroots rugby league’s future
Canterbury Rugby League is thrilled to celebrate our partnership with Isaac Group, who have come onboard as a sponsor to support the game’s grassroots in 2026. Concentrating predominantly on youth programmes, Isaac Group’s contribution provides invaluable support to one of rugby league’s most crucial areas. “CRL are delighted to have...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.22
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 the NSWRL’s and QRL’s competitions, as well as the NRL’s Round 18, the opening weekend...
CRL Rd 12 Wrap: Keas and Eagles lock in top two spots as Hornets give finals chances huge boost
Linwood Keas and Eastern Eagles sealed their positions in the top two with a fortnight of the regular season remaining, while Halswell Hornets gave their finals hopes a massive boost in a high-scoring Round 12 of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men’s Premiership. The unbeaten Keas effectively wrapped up...
Tafua trio creating an NRL and NRLW dynasty
In less than a year, John and Jahnea Tafua have watched their daughter and son debut in the world’s best rugby league club competitions – and a third offspring is on track to join them in the seasons ahead. Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua earned his maiden NRL call-up for...
CRL Round 12 Preview: Tigers and Hornets fight for finals survival
Just three rounds of the CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas regular season remain – and this Saturday’s showdown between Papanui Tigers and Halswell Hornets shapes as do or die for both clubs in the finals race. Meanwhile, Linwood Keas and Eastern Eagles will all but seal first- and second-place Massetti...
FLASBHBACK FRIDAY: CANTERBURY REF IN THE MIDDLE FOR FIRST ORIGIN DECIDER
As the rugby league world diverts its attention to next Wednesday's State of Origin series opener in Brisbane, Flashback Friday recalls the prominent role of a Cantabrian in the first-ever decider 44 years ago. The runaway success of Origin’s one-off matches in 1980 and ’81 – largely due to Queensland’s...
