CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
TRILLO METALS MEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS DETERMINED TO CEMENT SOUTHERN SUPREMACY
After winning the South Island Championship and the National Championship final in their first year under the coaching of Walter Wilson in 2024, the Trillo Metals Men’s Canterbury Bulls have their sights set on the final of the revamped NZRL National Men’s Premiership in two months’ time. Under the new...
TRILLO METALS LTD EXTEND SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT OF CANTERBURY BULLS TEAMS
Canterbury Rugby League is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with Trillo Metals Ltd, who continue as naming rights sponsors for the Men’s and Women’s Canterbury Bulls 2025 campaigns. The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls will compete in the Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership, while the Trillo Metals...
KEAS RETURN TO CRL PREMIERSHIP PEAK WITH RESOUNDING GRAND FINAL RESULT
Linwood Keas claimed their eighth Canterbury Rugby League premiership in 10 seasons in emphatic fashion, overwhelming Riccarton Knights 30-6 in the 2025 Pat Smith Trophy Challenge decider to wrap up a massive CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai. The Andrew Auimatagi-coached Keas posted four tries to...
EAGLES RETAIN CANTERBURY CUP IN GRIPPING DECIDER
Eastern Eagles have retained the CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup, outlasting Halswell Hornets 20-16 in a tense premier reserves grand final. The Hornets repeatedly fought back from double-digit deficits and came agonisingly close to snatching victory in the dying stages, but the Eagles ultimately took the spoils in a match...
SWANS GO BACK-TO-BACK IN WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL THRILLER
Sydenham Swans are back-to-back CRL Bartercard Women's Premiership champions after holding off table-topping Linwood Keas 24-22 in an epic, seesawing grand final at Ngā Puna Wai. Two-try performances from key spine duo Kyla Lynch-Brown, who claimed player of the match honours in the decider for the second straight year, and...
IT’S A CELEBRATION! LIONS ROMP TO DIVISION ONE TITLE+096
Celebration Lions have capped a dominant CRL Division One campaign with a 46-6 grand final victory over Eastern Eagles at Ngā Puna Wai. The Lions had to overcome a tough, physical opening period and an early deficit before getting on top, however. A valiant Eagles outfit dominated the first 20...
PAT SMITH’S ENDURING LEGACY
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 59th time on Sunday, to either Linwood or Riccarton after...
KEAS DETERMINED TO FINISH OFF DOMINANT CAMPAIGN WITH GF GLORY
On the surface, table-topping Linwood Keas come into the 2025 CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final without a genuine test under their belts for some time. But Keas coach Tyron Rapana believes their semi-final hit-out against Woolston Rams provided the perfect lead-in to their CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day...
SWANS STEELED FOR BACK-TO-BACK BID
Defending CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership champions Sydenham Swans have taken the hard road to the 2025 CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day schedule. But a gritty semi-final win has fortified the Swans for Sunday’s showdown against their 2022-23 grand final conquerors, Linwood Keas. “The ladies are looking good, the intensity...
KNIGHTS EYE ONE LAST CONQUEST AFTER HISTORIC GRAND FINAL CHARGE
Several near misses, tough seasons and rebuilds later, Riccarton Knights return to the CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day stage for the first time in 21 years. The Knights face minor premiers Linwood Keas at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday (3pm kick-off) after carving out a stunning 36-16 preliminary final...
KEAS BACK TO RECLAIM CHAMPION CLUB STATUS ON CRL HAPPY HIRE GRAND FINAL DAY
After a straight-sets finals exit denied them a 10th consecutive Pat Smith Trophy Challenge appearance in 2024, Linwood Keas are back in familiar Ngā Puna Wai territory this Sunday as they prepare for a showdown with Riccarton Knights. The absence of the usual sea of black and green was palpable...
BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR KEAS AND KNIGHTS IN 2025 CRL GRAND FINAL
While Linwood Keas line up in their 10th premiership decider in 11 seasons on CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day this Sunday – winning eight titles during that period – opponents Riccarton Knights are gearing up for the big for the first time in 21 years. The Knights’ two grand...
