CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
HISTORIC AWARD CAPS REMARKABLE YEAR FOR ‘YOUNG VETERAN’ VAEILA-UMAGA
Hornby Panthers and Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls back-rower Ripena Vaeila-Umaga capped a monumental season of achievement and leadership by becoming the first wahine player to win the CRL’s Sportsperson of the Year award. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Vaeila-Umaga’s historic capture of the D.V. Syme Rosebowl – and...
CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2026 AWARDS
The complete list of award winners from Canterbury Rugby League’s 2026 prizegiving, held at the Commodore Hotel on Sunday, November 1st. COMPETITION AWARDS Terry Cox Memorial Trophy (18s boys Grand Final winners): Sydenham SwansPresidents Trophy (Presidents 10s winners): Riccarton KnightsCarol Crozier Trophy (Canterbury Cup Round Robin winners): Linwood KeasFred Arnesen Trophy...
Sting in the tale of Hornet Stowers-Smith’s Kiwis debut
Tanner Stowers-Smith is preparing for a dream debut for New Zealand in his home city against the Cook Islands at One New Zealand Stadium on Sunday – less than 18 months after breaking into the NRL with the Warriors. Sporting milestones rarely align so perfectly, but it’s marvellously fitting that...
Newton-Whare’s Cook Islands breakthrough adds to Knights’ family legacy
New Zealand Kiwis duo Jamayne Isaako, an Aranui Eagles product, and debuting Halswell Hornets junior Tanner Stowers-Smith are certain to receive a rapturous homecoming welcome in Sunday’s Rugby League World Cup fixture at One New Zealand Stadium in Ōtautahi Christchurch. But there will also be a sizeable contingent in the...
Canterbury refs continue to shine on national stages
A busy representative period at senior, youth and secondary schools level has once again illustrated how Canterbury Rugby League’s outstanding group of referees continue to punch above their weight. At last month’s NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament, Canterbury referees filled eight of the 12 appointments across the four grades’ finals....
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: CANTABRIANS IN NRL GRAND FINALS
Ahead of Sunday's night's NRL grand final between Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters, who will field Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong in the second-row, we recognise the 11 players from the Canterbury region that have previously featured on the game’s biggest stage. Bill Noonan – Canterbury-Bankstown (1974): Simultaneously becoming the...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.34
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 weekend’s NRL and Super League finals matches, NSWRL and QRL grand finals. Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz...
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: BROWN SENDS WARRIORS INTO GRAND FINAL
Ahead of NRL preliminary finals weekend, Flashback Friday relives arguably the greatest grand final qualifier moment in the Australian premiership involving a Canterbury product. Lewis Brown, a grand final winner with Riccarton Knights and a Canterbury Bulls rep as a teenager, played 198 NRL games for the Warriors, Penrith and...
Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls primed to take finals fight to Auckland rivals
The Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls head to Auckland this weekend on a two-game mission, striving to carry off the NZRL National Premiership title for the first time since 2014. It’s another arduous schedule for the red-and-blacks, facing Auckland Vulcans in the semis on Saturday followed by another fixture on...
Canterbury trio drive Bulldogs’ bid for Jersey Flegg grand final glory
A trio of Canterbury products are set to play a major role in Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ pursuit of the Jersey Flegg Cup title as they prepare to line up in Saturday’s grand final against Penrith Panthers. Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben, Linwood Keas winger Chelden Hayward and Hornby Panthers centre Sosaia...
Kiwi Ferns duo renew coaching partnership for Sidekick Chartered Accountants Canterbury Bulls 18s Boys’ NYT campaign
Head coach Sommer Te Kahu and assistant coach Charntay Poko are preparing to guide the Sidekick Chartered Accountants Canterbury Bulls 18s Boys team into the 2026 NZRL National Youth Tournament, which gets underway in Auckland on Sunday. The squad originally selected featured 11 members of the Te Kahu-coached Canterbury Bulls...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.33
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 weekend’s NRL, NRLW, NSWRL and Super League finals matches. Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us...
