Canterbury Rugby League
Encyclopedia
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.
which was formerly known as the Addington Showgrounds.
The winner is awarded the Smith Trophy, which dates back to 1913.
, who had played with St Helens and Wigan
. 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. 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. 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 the 14 March St. Albans was formed. The first Canterbury Rugby League Annual General Meeting was held on 31 March 1913.
24-12. They defeated Great Britain
18-10, in 1990.
and included players such as Quentin Pongia
, Terry Hermansson
, Whetu Taewa
, Logan Edwards
, Brendon Tuuta
and Mike Dorreen. With the creation of the Lion Red Cup however, many moved franchises and eventually ended up in Australia or England.
, from 1994-1996, Canterbury was represented by the Christchurch City Shiners
and the Canterbury Country Cardinals
.
competed in the Bartercard Cup
from 2000-2007, winning the title in 2000 & 2003. They were the only franchise from the South Island and the only franchise to play in every season.
The Canterbury side was again be coached by Brent Stuart
and Dave Perkins. Former Kiwis assistant coach and Bartercard cup winning Phil Prescott returned as the director of coaching. The Canterbury U16's and U18's sides were be involved in curtain raiser matches before the Senior home games.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
in Canterbury, New Zealand
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
. 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
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
and Lion Red Cup
Lion Red Cup
The Lion Red Cup was a New Zealand domestic rugby league competition that ran from 1994-1996 sponsored by brewers Lion Nathan. It was created due to the increase in public awareness of domestic rugby league due to the Auckland Warriors being accepted into the Winfield Cup. The competition was a...
. The CRL is currently part of the South Island Zone which includes the Tasman, West Coast, Otago and Southland regions.
Rugby League Park
Canterbury Rugby League owns Rugby League ParkRugby League Park
Rugby League Park is a rugby league stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.-History:...
which was formerly known as the Addington Showgrounds.
Local Competition
Eight teams currently compete in the Travel King Premiership;- Linwood Keas
- Northern Bulldogs
- Celebration Lions
- Aranui Eagles
- Halswell Hornets
- Papanui Tigers
- Riccarton Knights
- Hornby Panthers
The winner is awarded the Smith Trophy, which dates back to 1913.
Foundation
The organisation was founded on 13 July 1912 at a meeting that included William Moyle, Robert Brunsden, New Zealand representative Charlie Pearce and David McPhailDavid McPhail (rugby league)
David McPhail was a New Zealand rugby league player who played professionally for St Helens and Wigan.-Playing career:McPhail arrived in England aboard the S.S. Arawa, on 15 November 1909, together with Lance Todd...
, who had played with St Helens and Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
. A.E. Hooper was elected chairman on 17 July and would serve in that position until 1922. Henry Thacker
Henry Thacker
Dr Henry Thomas Joynt Thacker was a doctor, New Zealand Member of Parliament and Mayor of Christchurch.-Early life:...
, a Mayor
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
and MP
New Zealand House of Representatives
The New Zealand House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the legislature of New Zealand. The House and the Queen of New Zealand form the New Zealand Parliament....
, was the first president of the CRL and served from 1912 until 1929. He donated the Thacker Shield
Thacker Shield
The Thacker Shield is a rugby league football trophy awarded on an annual basis to the winner of a match between the champion clubs of the Canterbury Rugby League and West Coast Rugby League.-History:...
in 1913.
Canterbury first played on 7 September 1912 at the Show Grounds
Rugby League Park
Rugby League Park is a rugby league stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formerly called the Addington Showgrounds, the ground is owned by the Canterbury Rugby League.-History:...
against Wellington. Ernie Buckland
Ernie Buckland
Ernest "Ernie" Buckland was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country between 1909 and 1911.-Playing career:Buckland played for Taranaki in their first ever game of rugby league in 1908...
scored the first rugby league try in Canterbury as Wellington prevailed 5-4. 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 the 14 March St. Albans was formed. The first Canterbury Rugby League Annual General Meeting was held on 31 March 1913.
Touring teams
In 1955 Canterbury defeated the touring French sideFrance national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
24-12. They defeated Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
18-10, in 1990.
Glory Years
The early nineties saw a regional Canterbury side that included many future stars. The side was coached by Frank EndacottFrank Endacott
Frank Morris Endacott, ONZM is a retired rugby league player and coach from New Zealand. His son, Shane, also played rugby league.-Playing career:Endacott played for Addington and Hornby in the Canterbury Rugby League competition...
and included players such as Quentin Pongia
Quentin Pongia
Quentin Lee Pongia is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who represented his country. He is the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder and his sister Megan Tahapeehi has also represented the Kiwi Ferns.-Playing career:Originally from the West Coast,...
, Terry Hermansson
Terry Hermansson
Terry "The Rock" Hermansson is a former New Zealand rugby league player. An international representative prop forward, he played club football in England, Australia and New Zealand.-Playing career:...
, Whetu Taewa
Whetu Taewa
Whetu Taewa is a former professional rugby league player who represented his country six times between 1989 and 1996.-New Zealand:...
, Logan Edwards
Logan Edwards
-Domestic career:Edwards played for the dominating Canterbury provincial side of the early 1990s alongside such talent as Quentin Pongia, Mike Dorreen, Whetu Taewa and coach Frank Endacott. This side continued its success as the Canterbury Cardinals in the 1994 Lion Red Cup...
, Brendon Tuuta
Brendon Tuuta
Brendon Ephia Tuuta is a New Zealand former rugby league player.Tuuta played a variety of positions including Stand Off, Halfback, Second Row and Lock. He was known as "the baby-faced assassin" and had a reputation as a brawler...
and Mike Dorreen. With the creation of the Lion Red Cup however, many moved franchises and eventually ended up in Australia or England.
Lion Red Cup
In the Lion Red CupLion Red Cup
The Lion Red Cup was a New Zealand domestic rugby league competition that ran from 1994-1996 sponsored by brewers Lion Nathan. It was created due to the increase in public awareness of domestic rugby league due to the Auckland Warriors being accepted into the Winfield Cup. The competition was a...
, from 1994-1996, Canterbury was represented by the Christchurch City Shiners
Christchurch City Shiners
The Christchurch City Shiners were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Christchurch in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. They were administered by the Canterbury Rugby League.Feeder clubs included Addington, Sydenham and Linwood.-Players:...
and the Canterbury Country Cardinals
Canterbury Country Cardinals
The Canterbury Country Cardinals were a New Zealand rugby league club that represented Canterbury in the Lion Red Cup from 1994 to 1996. They were administered by the Canterbury Rugby League....
.
| 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 | ||||
| 12 | Eleventh | N/A | |||||||||
| Cardinals | 1995 | 22 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 446 | 448 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 13 | Tenth | N/A | |||||||||
| Shiners | 1996 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 360 | 643 | ||||
| 6 | Last | N/A |
Bartercard Cup
The Canterbury BullsCanterbury Bulls
The Canterbury rugby league team are a rugby league team who represent the Canterbury Rugby League. They are currently nicknamed the Bulls but have previously had other nicknames such as the Reds. They are based at Rugby League Park in Christchurch....
competed in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
from 2000-2007, 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 | ||||
| 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 |
Bartercard Premiership
The Canterbury Bulls competed in the 2008 and 2009 Bartercard Premiership, winning the 2009 competition.The Canterbury side was again be coached by Brent Stuart
Brent Stuart
Brent Clifford Stuart is a rugby league coach and former player who represented his country.-Playing career:A West Coast and Canterbury representative, Stuart spent two years in the Northern Territory in the mid-1980s and represented the Territory against Parramatta. In 1993 he was invited to be...
and Dave Perkins. Former Kiwis assistant coach and Bartercard cup winning Phil Prescott returned as the director of coaching. The Canterbury U16's and U18's sides were be involved in curtain raiser matches before the Senior home games.