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.

The 100th year of the Southbridge Shield will be played this weekend between North Canterbury and Ellesmere at the Rangiora Showgrounds on Saturday.

More often than not the love for rugby grows from the grassroots, and that’s no different for two Canterbury women, Grace Brooker and Alana Bremner.

Marty Bourke has tinkered with Canterbury’s engine room for Saturdays Bunnings Warehouse NPC clash against Taranaki in Rangiora, with North Canterbury’s Luke Romano back in the second row alongside Ellesmere junior Sam Darry, who made a successful return from a broken arm last week.

Canterbury welcome back a number of players this weekend, as they look to start another home finals run in the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.

Local lines company MainPower has partnered with Canterbury Rugby to support this Saturday’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC clash against Taranaki to Rangiora. 

A slight tweak to Canterbury’s front row stocks is the feature of Sunday’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC side to take on Wellington. With Oli Jager sidelined due to an eye injury, Seb Calder slips into the starting lineup, which brings Carisbrook Toomalatai moves onto the bench as back up.

Saturday’s clash with Auckland is set to decide the final standings of the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings Warehouse, with the top two teams set to go head-to-head at Eden Park at 11:35am on Saturday.

It’s no secret that club rugby cannot run without its volunteers - people who take the time out of their lives to make sure jerseys and socks are available, grounds are ready to be played on, after match food served and a myriad of other unseen tasks to keep the game being played each Saturday.

The community that club rugby creates has been shown throughout the season so far, with a number of our clubs putting in incredible efforts behind the scenes to ensure that the effect rugby has is spread out throughout the region.

The chance to lock away the JJ Stewart Trophy for the 2023 season awaits the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup side, as they kick off Miles Toyota Club Round against Counties Manukau.  

Joe Moody will suit up for Canterbury in Saturday’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC/FPC double header in Christchurch.