CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
CANTERBURY RUGBY LEAGUE 2021 AWARDS – LIST OF WINNERS
The full list of winners from the CRL 2021 Awards night, held at Halswell Rugby League Clubrooms on Wednesday night. Congratulations to all clubs, players, coaches, staff, officials, administrators and volunteers honoured for their efforts this season. Canterbury Rugby League Senior Volunteer of the Year: Annette Pau’u (Riccarton Knights)...
WHALERS HARPOON BULLS IN HISTORIC UPSET
Otago is basking in one of the finest hours in its rugby league history after the Whalers pulled off a stunning 36-28 victory over the New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls in a South Island Championship thriller at Ngā Puna Wai. The southern neighbours had not faced off in full-fledged competition...
WELLINGTON STRIKE LATE TO EARN DRAW WITH CANTERBURY WOMEN
Canterbury and Wellington played out a thrilling 20-all draw at Ngā Puna Wai in the NZRL National Women's Premiership after the Orcas scored a last-minute try. The home side led for 76 minutes after getting off to a flying, Charntay Poko-inspired start, but the Orcas fought back admirably and bagged...
CANTERBURY BULLS WRANGLE PLUCKY RAMS
The New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls made it two from two in the NZRL National Premiership on Sunday - but they were forced to work for their 38-18 victory by a determined and enterprising Southland Rams outfit at Ngā Puna Wai. The Bulls, hamstrung by a glut of uncharacteristic mistakes,...
CANTERBURY BULLS OVERPOWER WEST COAST IN 15-TRY ROMP
The New Era Glazing Canterbury Bulls flexed their muscle in a dominant NZRL National Men's Premiership campaign-opening performance, putting away the visiting West Coast Chargers 82-6 at Ngā Puna Wai. The home side piled on eight tries in the first half and another seven after the break. Elder statesman Toi...
CANTERBURY WOMEN FIND GROOVE TO OVERWHELM VIPERS
Canterbury has made an emphatic start to its NZRL National Women's Competition campaign, overcoming a slow start to defeat a spirited-but-outclassed Mid Central Vipers line-up 38-8 at Ngā Puna Wai. In a comprehensive all-round team performance, the individual display of halfback Charntay Poko was the major talking point of the...
HARRAWAY-INSPIRED HORNBY END LINWOOD’S REIGN IN CLASSIC GRAND FINAL
Hornby Panthers have secured their first Canterbury Rugby League premiership since 2013, ending Linwood Keas' five-season tenure as Pat Smith Trophy holders with a 22-16 win in a titanic Grand Final struggle at Ngā Puna Wai. The Panthers led for all but the first eight minutes of the match and...
MARIST-PAPANUI EDGE NORTHERN IN EPIC CANTERBURY CUP GF ARM-WRESTLE
What the 2021 Canterbury Cup Grand Final lacked in tries, it more than made up for in drama and intensity as Marist Saints-Papanui held on for an unforgettable 6-2 triumph over Northern Bulldogs. The only points in the Premier Reserves decider came from the boot of Saints halfback Rangiawha and...
SWANS SURGE TO SECOND STRAIGHT WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL WIN
A blistering four-try start laid the foundation for Sydenham Swans' successful defence of the CRL Women's Premiership crown, overwhelming Woolston Rams in the Grand Final at Ngā Puna Wai for the second year in a row, 32-12. Sydenham stormed to a 22-0 lead before the half-hour mark through a combination...
LIONS ROAR TO TAKE OUT GORE CUP
Celebration Lions finished off a vastly-improved 2021 Bartercard NZ CRL Premiership campaign with some silverware, carving out a convincing 30-12 victory over Eastern Eagles to kick off Grand Final Day at Ngā Puna Wai. The Lions always looked in control, keeping the Eagles at arm's length throughout by scoring the...
HORNBY NOT HAUNTED BY HISTORY IN CHASE FOR DROUGHT-BREAKING GF WIN
Hornby Panthers are unfazed by their semi-final defeat to Linwood Keas – or their recent Grand Final heartache at the hands of their archrivals – as the clubs prepare for yet another Bartercard NZ CRL Men’s Premiership decider on Sunday at Ngā Puna Wai. The Panthers bounced back from a...
KEAS MAINTAIN THIRST FOR COMPLETING PREMIERSHIP SIX-PACK
Linwood Keas have broken virtually every Canterbury Rugby League premiership record available during their streak of five straight Grand Final victories. But a high player turnover rate last summer – and the consequent elevation of several youngsters to first grade – ensures lack of motivation won’t be a factor when...