
CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
TIGERS EDGE KNIGHTS IN EXTRA-TIME FOR DIVISION ONE TITLE
2023 Canterbury Rugby League Division 1 Grand Final.Ngai Puna Wai, Christchurch, New Zealand15/08/20232023 Copyright Image: Matthew Musson/©MattyLouisPhotography The 2023 Happy Hire CRL Grand Final Day kicked off with an absolute thriller at Ngā Puna Wai as Papanui Tigers pipped a resurgent Riccarton Knights 32-26 in extra-time...
TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY WOMEN’S SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR NZRL PREMIERSHIP
The Trillo Metals Canterbury Women’s squad has been named for the upcoming NZRL National Premiership, which gets underway on September 2. The competition returns to its usual post-season place on the calendar after being held in March-April in 2022 in the wake of two COVID-interrupted rep seasons. Canterbury’s most recent...
MORE GRAND FINAL HISTORY BECKONS FOR KEAS
Linwood Keas have rewritten the Canterbury Rugby League record books several times in recent years – and they can match the most dominant dynasty in CRL Grand Final history with another victory over fierce rivals Hornby Panthers on Sunday. Linwood’s run of five straight Pat Smith Trophy Challenge triumphs from...
PANTHERS PRIMED TO REDRESS FINALS BALANCE AGAINST KEAS
Few clubs in the world of rugby league would be as familiar with one another as Hornby Panthers and Linwood Keas. The archrivals have met almost 30 times in the past eight seasons, while they are preparing to square off in the Pat Smith Trophy Challenge for the seventh time...
SWANS FIND IDEAL MIX AHEAD OF GRAND FINAL SHOWDOWN
Sydenham Swans are banking on their blend of experienced premiership-winning stalwarts and exuberant first-timers to regain the CRL Women’s Premiership from Linwood Keas on Happy Hire Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday. Champions in 2020-21, the Swans were run down late in a 22-20 thriller in the...
KEAS COMBAT LONG BREAK IN BID FOR BACK-TO-BACK WOMEN’S TITLES
By the time Linwood Keas run out onto Ngā Puna Wai for the CRL Women’s Premiership Grand Final to face Sydenham Swans, it will have been 42 days since their last game. A combination of weather cancellations, byes and defaults have conspired against the defending champions, who have also taken...
LINWOOD V HORNBY: THE RIVALRY CONTINUES
This Sunday’s CRL Men's Premiership Grand Final at Ngā Puna Wai will see another chapter of one of Canterbury Rugby League’s greatest club rivalries unfold. Linwood Keas and Hornby Panthers will go toe-to-toe for the Pat Smith Trophy for the seventh time in eight years – and the 10th time...
CANTERBURY BULLS SECURE SENZ AS NAMING RIGHTS SPONSOR
The SENZ Canterbury Bulls will compete in next month’s NZRL National Premiership following a partnership between Canterbury Rugby League and the national sports broadcaster to become the naming rights sponsor of the region’s flagship men’s representative team. “We are grateful and excited with the opportunity to partner with our national...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.12
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL The Dolphins have faded out of NRL finals contention, but Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako and Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima remain in great form. Isaako scored a scintillating...
CRL 2023: FINALS WEEK 2 WRAP
Linwood and Hornby will meet in the Pat Smith Trophy decider for the seventh time in eight years after the Panthers carved out a 26-12 victory in Saturday’s CRL Men’s Premiership preliminary final against Halswell Hornets. The Panthers, who bundled the Hornets out of the finals at the corresponding stage...
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: PANTHERS EDGE HORNETS IN EXTRA-TIME GF THRILLER
As westside neighbours Hornby Panthers and Halswell Hornets prepare for their do-or-die preliminary final showdown at Leslie Park, Flashback Friday revisits the last of the clubs' 11 Pat Smith Trophy Challenge encounters. The Panthers and Hornets had previously squared off in the 1984-87, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2012...
CRL YOUTH WRAP & WEEKEND PREVIEW
YOUTH WRAP – AUGUST 7-9 The dominant teams in the CRL 16s and 14s Boys grades will contest next week’s youth night competition grand finals after all four carved out convincing semi-final victories at Ngā Puna Wai. In Monday’s 16s semis, unbeaten Linwood Keas defeated fourth-placed Celebration Lions 40-16, while...