2022 has been a transformational year for Suburbs, with the club now boasting both a U17 Girls and Premier Reserve Women’s side, with the latter the first senior women’s team at the club in two years.  

This weekend’s edition represents the 41st time the Women’s Premier Trophy goes on the line.  

The rivalry between Christchurch and University is set to ignite once again, with the two headlining a celebration of all thing's rugby at the Canstaff Women’s finals day at Nga Puna Wai on Saturday,   

Former Canterbury and Black Fern player Stephanie Broomhall (nee Mortimer) has joined the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup coaching group for 2022, as well as long term Canterbury community coach Sid Tauamiti.

Canterbury Rugby is saddened by the passing of much-loved community rugby champion, Mike O’Donovan, however, it’s pretty fitting that his life will be celebrated during National Volunteer Week.

Glenmark Cheviot secured the Luisetti Seeds Combined Country title over the weekend, defeating Saracens 15-26 in an enthralling final at Southbrook.

The U85kg Club Cup returns for another year, with five Canterbury clubs keen to become the second winner from the South Island, after the Carisbrook Bush Pigs triumphed in the 2021 version.

North Canterbury will be well represented in this year’s Luisetti Seeds Combined Country Final on Saturday, when Saracens welcome Glenmark Cheviot to Southbrook.

As well as recently re-signing for the Canterbury NPC side, Willi Heinz has also returned to his beloved Linwood, the club that gave him his start all those years ago.

Rowan O’Gorman has become the embodiment of the Marist Albion club in recent years, as he nears ever closer to breaking Tala Kele’s club record of 330 Division 1 games, believed to be the most in recent memory for the Metro sub-union as well.

Willi Heinz will again pull on the red and black of Canterbury, with the experienced halfback retuning for this year’s Bunnings NPC for the first time in seven years.

Marty Bourke will lead the Canterbury NPC coaching group for 2022 with Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea alongside as Assistants.

While a large majority of our community take a break over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, others will be hitting the paddock on Saturday with a lot on the line.

Following seven rounds, the Canstaff Women’s Premier competition splits into Premiership and Championship with teams chasing trophy glory.

This weekend’s Miles Toyota Championship match between Christchurch Boys’ High School and Christ’s College remains one of the most highly anticipated matches on the year’s rugby calendar, with history and pride combined to create 70 minutes of high octane and intensity rugby.  

Canterbury Rugby has today announced changes to the Miles Toyota 1st XV Championship for 2023.

Each of the three sub-unions have a long history of competition and rivalry that stretches far beyond the happenings on the pitch. However, when the teams do clash, there’s usually some silverware on the line, with the challenge shields a key part of each internal clash. All three have a differing history but have the same result, you always want to hold it.

Awarded a Bunnings Rugby Assist grant at the end of last year, Prebbleton Rugby Club have set about giving their clubrooms a much-needed facelift in what is shaping up to be an exciting year for the club.

The Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) and National Provincial Championship (NPC) teams can begin preparations for the new season ahead, with the release of the 2022 season draw today.  

Canterbury’s scrum will continue with steel and stability, with four front row forwards all committing their futures to the region.