Here in Canterbury, we know that grassroots is the heart of rugby. Every man and woman who dons the red and black will have tales to tell of their days playing for their childhood club - early morning games, oranges at half time and whānau supporting them on the sidelines. Often, they’ll speak about clubrooms being a second home to their family, and how deep their families involvement would be.

Alex Harford will take the reins for Canterbury in Saturday’s clash against Waikato in Hamilton, meaning Fergus Burke slips back to fullback, while halfback Joel Lam gets his first run in this year’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Canterbury will be represented by four All Blacks and seven Black Ferns this weekend, with a couple of big milestones to look forward to.

The South Island U18 Girls’ Tournament is coming to Ngā Puna Wai this weekend, with games taking place from Sunday through to Tuesday.

Manasa Mataele returns to the Canterbury backline replacing the injured Ngatungane Punivai in an otherwise unchanged backline for Saturday’s historic Triple Header in Christchurch against Tasman.

Parkview Pārua School have been able to experience a brand new sports programme, thanks to the support of Canterbury Rugby, NZ Rugby and Sport NZ.

Linwood RFC hosted another successful Mahuika Girls’ 7’s tournament last month, as the club continues to work hard on providing opportunities to their community.

Canterbury’s Black Ferns XV contingent will get the opportunity to turn a week of experiencing a professional environment into gameday with a match against a Manusina XV this weekend.

Canterbury will be represented in three of the six games in Round 7 of the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship, with George Haswell, Daniel Moore and Josh Bamber all taking a spot in the middle.

The New Zealand U18 representative sides have been named for 2023, with seven Cantabrians named.

With a eye towards the future, Marist Albion’s Manasa Mataele undertook a behind-the-scenes role with the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) side this season, working with Canterbury’s talented outside backs group.

Canterbury have had 16 players announced in the latest Black Ferns and Black Ferns XV squads, with both sides going into campaigns next week.

A return to Christchurch to round out a bruising storm week will see Reed Prinsep (Te Rārawa) return to lead Canterbury when they take on Southland in Sundays Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Canterbury have shuffled their line up for their mid-week clash with Counties Manukau, as they look to bounce back in the second match of their Storm Week.

Taking rugby back to the Rangiora Showgrounds was no mean feat for Canterbury Rugby, not least because there hadn’t been rugby played at the historic home of Rangiora RFC for 13 years.

As the official Community Partner of Canterbury Rugby and on the front of the women’s jersey, Miles Toyota have been proud supporters of our Farah Palmer Cup side, including providing a brand new Hilux to the team’s Player of the Week!

Speedster Solomon Alaimalo gets his first start for Canterbury when they go up against old foes Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Canterbury have the luxury to name and start all ten contracted Black Ferns on Saturday, as they name a strong side to play Auckland in their fifth home Premiership Final in a row.

Cousins Brook and Andrew Retallick have taken on new roles as Assistant Coaches to the North Canterbury Development squad, the Stags.

The Southbridge Shield is a special taonga for Canterbury Country Rugby, and entering into it’s 100th year, it is as important now as it has ever been.