The scent of rugby can be summed up by deep heat, sweat and mud. But this week, that will be rivalled with the smell of polishing trophies, fresh white paint on the fields and the anticipation of the biggest games of the year. From Kaiapoi to Lincoln and Christchurch, clubs are preparing for the biggest weekend on the community rugby calendar.

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‍North Canterbury

Eight North Canterbury clubs will lace up in the finals at Kaiapoi Rugby Club this Saturday. While four teams are returning for back to back finals, Ohoka Colts and Glenmark - Cheviot Premier Men’s have the chance to take the trophies back to their clubrooms where they began the season.

Having met in the Luisetti Seeds Combined Competition last month, Kaiapoi and Glenmark-Cheviot will go toe to toe again, where the hosts will take a second opportunity to get one over Glenmark-Cheviot.

Michelle Tocker, North Canterbury Rugby Board Chair, says the North Canterbury Finals is shaping up to be a fantastic showcase of finals footy, “The Premier Final couldn’t be set up much better, with Kaiapoi and Glenmark-Cheviot meeting for the third time this season. Glenmark-Cheviot took out the Combined Competition title in their first meeting, while the second finished in a draw, so there’s very little between the two sides. It’s a fitting way to finish the season”.

The Premier Reserve Women’s Final will also be a huge crowd draw with Oxford wanting to go one step further than 2025, and Hurunui Hoggies appearing in their first final after their inaugural season last year. “The Women’s Final is just as exciting, with both teams earning their place after outstanding performances in last weekend's finals. We’re looking forward to some brilliant games, a big crowd, and celebrating everything that's great about community rugby in North Canterbury” said Tocker.

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Metro

On Sunday, the Bascik Transport Metro Premier Finals will arrive at One NZ Stadium for the first time, marking another milestone for Christchurch’s sporting venue. Metro Rugby Committee Chair, Clarke Washington, says hosting at Canterbury Rugby’s newest home will not just be an exciting moment for the players but also the wider Christchurch community, “It is certainly a good opportunity to showcase the top of our Metro rugby, and of course the new asset to the city and wider area”.

For Captain of the Linwood Women’s side, Cassie Siataga, playing on the new turf was a surprise, “It’s pretty awesome. I didn’t expect it. I’m definitely grateful and excited, some people may never get to play there again. And the free entry for supporters is just amazing”.

Marist Albion and Linwood will meet in the Men’s Premier Final again this year, and the Linwood wāhine will play in their first Premier Final up against Christchurch Football Club who have made a triumphant return to the competition this season. With two losses and a win against Linwood during the regular season, CFC Women’s Premier will be looking to even up the score where it matters most this weekend.

While many clubs will be kept busy supporting and hosting finals across the Metro sub union over the next two days, few will have a bigger weekend than Linwood. Watching their Men and Women in Sunday’s Premier Finals will come off the back of hosting their Premier Reserve Final on Saturday with Linwood battling University of Canterbury for the trophy at Tane Norton Park.  “The support of our club this year has been unmatched” says Siataga, “It felt like the club completely had our backs, and it’s pretty awesome to have three teams in the finals this weekend”.

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Ellesmere

Ellesmere will have more country rugby on Saturday than you can poke a stick at, with a day of finals footy everyone can get behind.  As well as Luisetti Seeds Premier Men’s and Women’s, Colts, Division 2 and 3, they’ll also be hosting the Southern Alps Ultra U85kg Grand Final for the first time, and keeping their tradition of running a Tri Rugby game as part of the festivities.

Ellesmere Board Chair, Leslie Greenslade says holding Tri Rugby as part of their finals day is all about giving everybody an opportunity to play, “We have made it happen so that everybody can enjoy it. They love it, the referees love it, everybody seems to really enjoy it” she said, “it’s a great thing for everyone to see it and see so many people out there enjoying themselves”.

Hosting the Southern Alps Ultra U85kg Final is a new addition to the Ellesmere Finals Day lineup, which Greenslade says the sub union is very excited about. In their first year in the competition, West Melton have gone unbeaten and will take on last year's champions New Brighton. Player/Manager Gray McGregor says the team are “fired up” about playing in finals, particularly after many thought aging out of the Colts grade last year could have been their last run in the game. “Not many of us were too keen to crack Div 1s, so we were all thinking it was our last year of rugby”, says McGregor, “then we thought ‘oh this U85 looks alright’. Few boys lost like 10kgs to be able to play”.

McGregor says those behind the team have been a huge part of getting them on the field, “Thanks to West Melton for being so open arms to us when we first proposed setting up this team, organising it all for us. They’ve been pretty good to us the last couple of years”.

Across the grades battling it out at Lincoln on Saturday, Waihora, Lincoln and Prebbleton will all have an opportunity of taking multiple pieces of silverware back to their clubrooms this Saturday.

Both Lincoln and Waihora have an impressive pool of players in their Colts grades, each boasting two teams in their systems and a side competing for the ultimate prize.

The Women's Premier competition has its own exciting storyline, with Springston chasing a three-peat as they meet Prebbleton in a rematch of last year's final. With silverware on the line, Prebbleton will have the chance to rewrite last year's result, while Springston are out to secure a third consecutive title.

Greenslade is simply looking forward to a day everyone can get behind, “The referees have always said finals day is like their club day, they all get to be at the same place” she said. “We want everyone to treat it like that. Enjoy the atmosphere, have a good time and enjoy some stellar rugby”.

Whether you’re on the field, the sideline or the grandstand, one thing is for sure - you are in for a brilliant weekend of club rugby wherever you are in Canterbury.
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For all games, kick off times and details, head to their Facebook event pages below!

‍North Canterbury

Metro

Ellesmere

With plates, bowls, shields and trophies all on the line this weekend, who are you backing?  

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words by Hannah Yates