Canterbury (National Provincial Championship)
New Zealand professional rugby union team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Canterbury are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Canterbury, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1879, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch in the Canterbury region. The team is affiliated with the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black and red.
CRFU emblem | ||
| Union | Canterbury Rugby Football Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1879 | |
| Location | St Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| Ground | Apollo Projects Stadium (Capacity: 18,000) | |
| CEO | Tony Smail[1] | |
| Coach | Marty Bourke | |
| Captain | Cullen Grace | |
| Most appearances | Robbie Deans (146) | |
| Top scorer | Robbie Deans (1,625) | |
| Most tries | Paula Bale (93) | |
| League | Bunnings NPC | |
| 2025 | 1st Champions | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Current squad
The Canterbury squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC is:[2]
| Canterbury squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers
Locks |
Loose forwards
Halfbacks (scrum-halves)
First five-eighths (fly-halves) |
Midfielders (centres) Outside backs |
|
Honours
Canterbury have been overall Champions on 15 occasions. Their first title was in 1977 and their most recent title was in 2025. Their full list of honours include:[7][8]
- National Provincial Championship First Division
- Winners: 1977, 1983, 1997, 2001, 2004
- Winners: 2008, 2009
- Winners: 2010
- ITM Cup Premiership Division
- Winners: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015
- Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Division
- Winners: 2016, 2017
- Winners: 2025
Current Super Rugby players
Players named in the 2025 Canterbury squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]