CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
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...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO. 24
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 NRL, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup and the European Super League, as well as the...
CRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY
The Pat Smith Trophy has been Canterbury Rugby League’s ultimate prize for more than half a century, awarded to the winning side in each year’s grand final since a playoffs system replaced the first-past-the-post format to decide the premiership in 1967. Sunday’s CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership decider...
CRL FINALS WEEK 2 CLUB WRAP: KNIGHTS SEAL FIRST GRAND FINAL BERTH SINCE 2004
Riccarton Knights have qualified for their first Pat Smith Trophy Challenge grand final appearance in 21 years after a stunning preliminary final performance catapulted them into a showdown with Linwood Keas. Meanwhile, Linwood Keas and Sydenham Swans will square off in the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership decider as a wild...
CRL FINALS WEEK 2 CLUB PREVIEW: HORNETS AND KNIGHTS CHASE GRAND FINAL SPOT
Halswell Hornets and Riccarton Knights will vie for the opportunity to join Linwood Keas on CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day, squaring off in Saturday’s CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership preliminary final this Saturday. The rivals experienced contrasting fortunes during last weekend’s opening batch of finals fixtures. The...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: 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 NRL, NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup, Queensland Cup and the European Super League, as...
CRL FINALS WEEK 1 CLUB WRAP: KEAS INTO GF, KNIGHTS CONQUER IN DO-OR-DIE CLASH
Linwood Keas are through to their 10th Pat Smith Trophy Challenge grand final in 11 seasons, while Riccarton Knights stayed alive in the title hunt after a pair of convincing CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership finals results on Saturday. The Massetti Cup-winning Keas earned the first CRL Happy...
CRL FINALS WEEK 1 CLUB PREVIEW: KEAS HEED LAST YEAR’S LESSONS AS GREYHOUNDS PREPARE FOR HISTORIC DEBUT
The 2025 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership playoffs get underway on Saturday with a CRL Happy Hire Grand Final Day qualifier at Linwood Park and an elimination final at Crosbie Park. Perennial heavyweights Linwood Keas finished six points clear of the field to add another Massetti Cup success...
