CRL NEWS
Real the latest local league news
CANTERBURY CONNECTION: BRISBANE BRONCOS
A powerhouse virtually since entering the premiership in 1988 – winning six premierships in their first 19 seasons – the Brisbane Broncos traditionally avoided dipping into the New Zealand market until fairly recently. But there have been a handful of Canterbury rugby league products and Christchurch-born stars that have donned...
RED AND BLACK REPORT 2018: EDITION NO.5
Each week the Red and Black Report will keep you up to date with how our Canterbury Rugby League products are performing in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions. NRL Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga made a strong impression off the bench once again as the Warriors spectacular start to...
CRL MASSETTI CUP ROUND 1 WRAP
Archrivals Linwood and Hornby turned on an absorbing Round 1 contest befitting of its grand final rematch status at the newly-reopened Leslie Park on Saturday. But the defending premiers took the gloss off the Panthers’ homecoming with a 22-10 victory, setting the tone for another season of classic battles between...
NORTHERN BULLDOGS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
If there’s any team that is making the perennial Canterbury Rugby League premiership contenders look over their shoulders in 2018, it is surely Northern Bulldogs. After bouncing back from consecutive wooden spoons in 2014-15 and just three wins in 2016 with a vastly improved campaign last year, the Bulldogs have...
PAPANUI TIGERS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
After a season as Papanui Tigers’ assistant coach, Darrell Coad takes over the club’s premiers side – but he has a barely recognisable roster to work with in 2018. Shane Endacott hung up the clipboard at the end of last year after a three-season tenure at Papanui, which included a...
ARANUI/EASTERN EAGLES 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
New coach, new name, back to their spiritual home – 2018 is all about positive change and bringing back tradition out Aranui way. Known as Aranui Eagles since 2006, the club’s premiers are set to go by the Eastern Eagles moniker this year. As Eastern Suburbs, the club won premierships...
LINWOOD KEAS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
In 2018 reigning two-time premiers Linwood Keas are aiming to become the first club since Eastern Suburbs (1979-81) to achieve a Canterbury Rugby League grand final ‘three-peat’. Keas coach Andrew Auimatagi is confident complacency and motivation won’t be a problem for his all-conquering side as they look to scale local...
RICCARTON KNIGHTS 2018 SEASON PREVIEW
After three straight finals appearances, the Riccarton Knights faced a challenging overhaul in 2017 after losing a clutch of their best players. Sam Brown’s inexperienced side landed in sixth with two wins and two draws to show for their efforts in 14 outings, but the coach believes the baptism of...
HORNBY PANTHERS 2018 PREVIEW
Hornby Panthers head into 2018 on the back of consecutive grand final losses to archrivals Linwood Keas. But if stability is any guide, the Panthers are well-placed to end their five-season title drought. The club has retained virtually its entire 2017 premiers squad, with the notable exception of veteran Craig...
HALSWELL HORNETS 2018 PREVIEW
Halswell Hornets come into 2018 on the back of two straight Massetti Cup wooden spoons, but a positive finish to last year’s campaign has sparked optimism for a rise up the ladder. The Hornets trumped their bottom-half rivals to claim the Gore Cup, downing fifth-placed Riccarton in the final. “Even...
CELEBRATION LIONS 2018 PREVIEW
Celebration Lions were the surprise packet of the 2017 Massetti Cup, reaching the finals for the first time in three years after winning eight and drawing one of their 14 regular-season fixtures. The new-look squad ended their campaign with a gallant 32-24 loss to Papanui in an epic semi-final. But...
HOME SWEET HOME FOR HORNBY
Hornby Panthers will return to their historic home turf this season, bringing with them hopes of an overdue premiership. The season is shaping as a big one for the club, who had to play away from their Leslie Park base in 2017 due to ground repair. Hornby Panthers President Brent...
