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| Nickname(s) | CRL |
| Founded | 1912 |
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Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand competitions. Previously teams have competed in the Bartercard Cup and Lion Red Cup. The CRL is currently part of the South Island Zone which includes the Tasman, West Coast, Otago and Southland regions.
Eight teams currently compete in the Pat Smith Trophy Premiership;
Celebration Lions
Eastern Eagles (formerly Aranui)
Halswell Hornets
Hornby Panthers
Linwood Keas
Northern Bulldogs Papanui Tigers
Riccarton Knights Woolston Rams Shirley Hawks Sydenham Swans Addington Magpies Burnham Chevaliers Ashburton Barbarians Rolleston Warriors
The winner is awarded the Smith Trophy, which dates back to 1913.
The organisation was founded on 13 July 1912 at a meeting that included William Moyle, Robert Brunsden, New Zealand representative Charlie Pearce and David McPhail, who had played with St. Helens and Wigan. [1] A.E. Hooper was elected chairman on 17 July and would serve in that position until 1922. Henry Thacker, a mayor and MP, was the first president of the CRL and served from 1912 until 1929. [2] He donated the Thacker Shield in 1913.
Canterbury first played on 7 September 1912 at the Show Grounds against Wellington. Ernie Buckland scored the first rugby league try in Canterbury as Wellington prevailed 5–4. [1] The first local club competition was held in 1913, with four clubs participating. Addington was founded on 31 January 1913, Sydenham one week later on 7 February, Linwood on 12 March and on 14 March St. Albans was formed. The first Canterbury Rugby League Annual General Meeting was held on 31 March 1913. [1]
In 1955 Canterbury defeated the touring French side 24–12. [2] They defeated Great Britain 18–10, in 1990.
The early nineties saw a regional Canterbury side that included many future stars. The side was coached by Frank Endacott and included players such as captain Mark Nixon, Mike Culley, Quentin Pongia, Terry Hermansson, Whetu Taewa, Logan Edwards, Brendon Tuuta, Simon Angell and Mike Dorreen. With the creation of the Lion Red Cup however, many moved franchises and eventually ended up in Australia or England.
In the Lion Red Cup, from 1994 to 1996, Canterbury was represented by the Christchurch City Shiners and the Canterbury Country Cardinals.
| Team | Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 1994 | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 615 | 410 | 205 | 32 | Fourth | Lost preliminary final |
| Shiners | 1994 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 358 | 630 | -272 | 12 | Eleventh | N/A |
| Cardinals | 1995 | 22 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 446 | 448 | -2 | 20 | Tenth | N/A |
| Shiners | 1995 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 455 | 419 | 36 | 25 | Sixth | N/A |
| Cardinals | 1996 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 365 | 555 | -190 | 13 | Tenth | N/A |
| Shiners | 1996 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 360 | 643 | -283 | 6 | Last | N/A |
The Canterbury Bulls competed in the Bartercard Cup from 2000 to 2007, winning the title in 2000 & 2003. They were the only franchise from the South Island and the only franchise to play in every season.
| Season | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Position (Teams) | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 658 | 525 | 133 | 30 | Second (Twelve) | Champions |
| 2001 | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 882 | 489 | 393 | 29 | Third (Twelve) | Defeated in Preliminary Final |
| 2002 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 386 | 531 | -145 | 10 | Tenth (Twelve) | N/A |
| 2003 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 648 | 370 | 278 | 26 | Minor Premiers (Twelve) | Champions |
| 2004 | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 562 | 374 | 188 | 18 | Fifth (Twelve) | Defeated in Elimination Play-off |
| 2005 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 543 | 388 | 155 | 22 | Second (Twelve) | Runners Up |
| 2006 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 583 | 376 | 207 | 26 | Second (Ten) | Runners Up |
| 2007 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 659 | 430 | 229 | 24 | Third (Ten) | Defeated in Preliminary Final |
The Canterbury Bulls competed in the 2008 and 2009 Bartercard Premiership, winning the 2009 competition.
The Canterbury side was again coached by Brent Stuart and Dave Perkins. Former Kiwis assistant coach and Bartercard cup winning Phil Prescott returned as the director of coaching. [3] The Canterbury U16s and U18s sides were involved in curtain raiser matches before the Senior home games. [4]
Canterbury Rugby League had a long-term lease on Rugby League Park which was formerly known as the Addington Showgrounds. [5]
In 2011 due to the Christchurch earthquake the Grand stands became too dangerous to inhabit and Canterbury Rugby League were displaced until 2019 when in conjunction with the Christchurch City council, Rugby League purpose-built facilities were built at the Nga Puna Wai Sports hub and will be officially opened on 23 February 2019 with an exhibition match between the NZ Warriors and the Canterbury Bulls.
Aranui Eagles
Halswell Hornets
Hornby Panthers
Linwood Keas
Northern Bulldogs
Papanui Tigers
Riccarton Knights
Burnham Chevaliers
Sydenham Swans
The Canterbury rugby league team are a rugby league team who represent the Canterbury Rugby League. They currently compete in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Their home ground is Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.
Michael Thomas Dorreen is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for New Zealand and Canterbury, and at club level for Addington, Hawkes Bay, Auckland Warriors, Sydney Tigers and Hunter Mariners, as a centre.
Lewis Brown, also known by the nickname of "Sharky", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s, who played for the New Zealand Warriors, Penrith Panthers and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He primarily played at second-row, but could also fill in at centre or hooker.
The 2009 New Zealand rugby league season was the 102nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the second season of the Bartercard Premiership competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Canterbury Bulls won the minor premiership and then the premiership by defeating Auckland 26–20 in the Grand Final.
The 2000 New Zealand rugby league season was the 93rd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the inaugural season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Canterbury Bulls won the Cup by defeating the Otahuhu Leopards 38–24 in the Grand Final.
The 2001 New Zealand rugby league season was the 94th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the second season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Hibiscus Coast Raiders won the Cup by defeating the Eastern Tornadoes 28–18 in the Grand Final.
The 2002 New Zealand rugby league season was the 95th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the third season of the Bartercard Cup competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Mt Albert Lions won the Cup by defeating the Hibiscus Coast Raiders 24–20 in the Grand Final.
The New Zealand rugby league season 1997 was the 90th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the Super League Challenge Cup that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. Waikato won the Challenge Cup by defeating Canterbury 34-18 and also ended the season holding the Rugby League Cup.
The 1998 New Zealand rugby league season was the 91st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. Auckland won the National Provincial Competition by defeating Canterbury 44-8 while Waikato ended the season holding the Rugby League Cup.
The 1993 New Zealand rugby league season was the 86th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial Championship competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. Canterbury won the Championship by defeating Auckland 36–12 in the Final.
The 1999 New Zealand rugby league season was the 92nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League.
The 1986 New Zealand rugby league season was the 79th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the Interdistricts Series competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. Auckland won the series, defeating the other three inter-district teams.
The 1988 New Zealand rugby league season was the 81st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the World Cup final that was played at Eden Park. Australia defeated New Zealand in the final 25–12. Auckland won the National Provincial Competition.
The 1992 New Zealand rugby league season was the 85th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the National Provincial Competition that was won by Auckland.
The 1944 New Zealand rugby league season was the 37th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1968 New Zealand rugby league season was the 61st season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1970 New Zealand rugby league season was the 63rd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1973 New Zealand rugby league season was the 66th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1974 New Zealand rugby league season was the 67th season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The season was played under a five tackle limit rule.
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