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Canterbury rugby league team

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Canterbury rugby league team
BERJAYA
Club information
Full nameCanterbury Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)Bulls, Reds
Colours  Red
  Black
Founded1912
Exited2009
Former details
Ground
CoachAndrew Auimatagi
CompetitionNational Competition
Records
Premierships1975, 1993, 2014
Runners-up1997, 1998
Bartercard Cup2000, 2003
Bartercard Premiership2009
Rugby League Cup1934–35, 1962, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1980–82, 1985–86, 1990, 1991–92, 1992, 1993–94, 1997, 2007, 2009–2012

The Canterbury rugby league team (also known as the Canterbury Bulls) are a rugby league team who represent the Canterbury Rugby League. They currently compete in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Their home ground is Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.

History

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Early history

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BERJAYA

Canterbury played its first match on 7 September 1912 against Wellington at the Show Grounds, losing 4–5.[1] The following weekend the hosted the touring New South Wales side and lost 5–28. Included in the Canterbury team was captain Charlie Pearce, Jim Auld, Abbie Shadbolt, Billy Mitchell, Bill Bussell and David McPhail.

Canterbury's first win was in their third match, against Hawke's Bay, with Canterbury winning 10–8 in Napier. Jim Auld and Abbie Shadbolt scored tries and Shadbolt kicked two goals.

Touring teams

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In 1955 Canterbury defeated the touring French side 24–12.[2] They defeated Great Britain 18–10, in 1990.

The 1990s

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The early nineties saw a Canterbury side that included many future stars. The side was coached by Frank Endacott and included players such as Quentin Pongia, Terry Hermansson, Mark Nixon, Whetu Taewa Aaron Whittaker, 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. Canterbury defeated Auckland in the 1993 final, winning 36–12.[3]

In the Lion Red Cup, from 1994 to 1996, Canterbury Rugby League was represented by the Christchurch City Shiners and the Canterbury Country Cardinals. When this was folded Canterbury reverted to having one representative team, initially called "the Reds". However eventually "the Bulls" was adopted as a nickname and this was used when the Bartercard Cup was formed.

Bartercard Cup

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Between 2000 and 2007 the Bulls played in the now defunct Bartercard Cup. They won two Bartercard Cup trophies, in 2000 and 2003. In addition, they were defeated in the last seconds of the 2004 final. This makes them one of the most successful teams in the competition, alongside the Mt Albert Lions. Out of the seven seasons they only missed the finals once, in 2002.

The Bulls were the only team from the South Island to ever compete in the Bartercard Cup and were the only club to compete in every season. During this time they were coached by Ged Stokes and Phil Prescott.[4][5]

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams) Finals
2000 22150765852513330Second (Twelve)Champions
2001 22141788248939329Third (Twelve)Defeated in Preliminary Final
2002 165011386531−14510Tenth (Twelve)N/A
2003 16130364837027826Minor Premiers (Twelve)Champions
2004 1690756237418818Fifth (Twelve)Defeated in Elimination Play-off
2005 16110554338815522Second (Twelve)Runners-up
2006 18130558337620726Second (Ten)Runners-up
2007 18120665943022924Third (Ten)Defeated in Preliminary Final

2006 results

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They finished second in the 2006 season standings and defeated the Waitakere Rangers 26–20 in the non-elimination Semi-final. This qualified them for the Qualifying Semi-final which they lost to the Auckland Lions 27–14 at Western Springs Stadium. They bounced back in the preliminary final, smashing the Tamaki Leopards 30–6 but could not defeat the Lions, losing the Grand Final 25–18.

2006 Finals Series Winner Loser
Preliminary Semi-finalCanterbury Bulls26Waitakere Rangers20
Qualification Semi-finalAuckland Lions27Canterbury Bulls14
Preliminary FinalCanterbury Bulls30Tamaki Leopards6
Grand FinalAuckland Lions25Canterbury Bulls18

2007 results

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Before the start of the 2007 season legendary coach Philip Prescott retired and was replaced by former New Zealand national rugby league team prop Brent Stuart. The Bulls finished the regular season in 3rd place. The highlight of the season was a 72–8 thrashing of the Waicoa Bay Stallions. The Bulls lost the Preliminary Final to Harbour League.

Date Match Winner Loser Venue
25 AugustElimination Semi-finalCanterbury Bulls35Waitakere Rangers18Waitemata Stadium
1 SeptemberPreliminary FinalHarbour League28Canterbury Bulls24Waitemata Stadium

Bartercard Premiership

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In 2008 and 2009 they played in the Bartercard Premiership where they made both grand finals. They finished minor premiers both years and defeated Auckland in the 2009 final.

Current

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In 2010 the team was replaced in national competitions by one represented the new South Island Zone.[6] Canterbury lost the Rugby League Cup to Auckland on Queen's Birthday 2012, after holding it since 2009.

In 2013 the Canterbury Bulls were added to the Albert Baskerville Trophy, replacing the South Island Scorpions. Until 2016 the Bulls represented the entire South Island and were able to select players from the other South Island districts.[7]

Rugby League Tour Matches

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Since 1912, Canterbury had been a frequent stop for international touring rugby league teams.[8]

GameDateResultVenueAttendanceNotes
114 September 1912BERJAYA NSW Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 28–15Addington Showgrounds4,2001912 NSW Tour of New Zealand
223 August 1913BERJAYA NSW Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 45–5Addington Showgrounds4,0001913 NSW Tour of New Zealand
39 August 1920BERJAYA Northern Union def. BERJAYA Canterbury 29–14Addington Showgrounds3,0001920 Great Britain Lions tour
416 August 1924BERJAYA England def. BERJAYA Canterbury 47–10Addington Showgrounds7,0001924 Great Britain Lions tour
526 September 1925BERJAYA Qld Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 57–15Monica Park Speedway,1925 Queensland tour of New Zealand
67 October 1925BERJAYA Qld Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 58–10Monica Park Speedway
728 July 1951BERJAYA France def. BERJAYA Canterbury 13–7Addington Showgrounds6,9901951 French tour of Australasia
815 August 1953BERJAYA Canterbury def. BERJAYA USA 39–8Addington Showgrounds5,0001953 American All-Stars tour
97 August 1954BERJAYA Great Britain def. BERJAYA Canterbury 60–14Addington Showgrounds1,5441954 Great Britain Lions tour
1030 July 1955BERJAYA Canterbury def. BERJAYA France 24–12Lancaster Park2,2001955 French tour of Australasia
112 August 1958BERJAYA Great Britain def. BERJAYA Canterbury 21–41Lancaster Park6,0001958 Great Britain Lions tour
1230 July 1960BERJAYA France def. BERJAYA Canterbury 15–8Addington Showgrounds7,5291960 French tour of Australasia
132 August 1962BERJAYA Great Britain def. BERJAYA Canterbury 26–5Lancaster Park2,5001962 Great Britain Lions tour
1415 May 1965BERJAYA NSW Country Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 32–10Addington Showgrounds3,0001965 NSW Country tour of New Zealand
1512 June 1965BERJAYA Australia def. BERJAYA Canterbury 19–4Addington Showgrounds2,6541965 Kangaroo tour of New Zealand
1629 May 1966BERJAYA NSW Country Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 21–12Addington Showgrounds1966 NSW Country tour of New Zealand
1713 August 1966BERJAYA Great Britain def. BERJAYA Canterbury 53–6Lancaster Park1,1921966 Great Britain Lions tour
186 May 1970BERJAYA NSW Country Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 38–12Addington Showgrounds1970 NSW Country tour of New Zealand
195 June 1972BERJAYA Qld Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 21–11Addington Showgrounds1972 Queensland tour of New Zealand
205 May 1974BERJAYA NSW Country Firsts def. BERJAYA Canterbury 34–11Addington Showgrounds1974 NSW Country tour of New Zealand
2124 June 1975BERJAYA Wales def. BERJAYA Canterbury 25–18Addington Showgrounds2,500Welsh 1975 Rugby League World Cup tour
2213 June 1990BERJAYA Canterbury def. BERJAYA Great Britain 18–10Addington Showgrounds3,0001990 Great Britain Lions tour
2315 July 1992BERJAYA Great Britain def. BERJAYA Canterbury 17–6Lancaster Park3,0211992 Great Britain Lions tour

References

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  1. ↑ Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987
  2. ↑ Coffey and Wood The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League ISBN 1-86971-090-8
  3. ↑ Smith, Tony (30 May 2009). "Nothing better than bettering Auckland". The Press. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Mamoe makes forward move[dead link] The Press, 30 June 2001
  5. ↑ Brash Bulls to lock horns with Brothers [dead link] The Press, 14 July 2001
  6. ↑ Geoff Longley It's go the South Island, No Bull Archived 11 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Press, 4 June 2010
  7. ↑ Canterbury Bulls team to make a comeback The Press, 10 April 2013
  8. ↑ Canterbury vs Tourists - Rugby League Project
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