A group bidding to get a Christchurch-based rugby league club in the NRL says a professional team would bring in about $50 million to the city each season.
The Riccarton Knights take on the Eastern Eagles at Wainoni Park this weekend as they chase their first Canterbury Rugby League premiership finals appearance since 2015.
The Warriors have scored a "huge" 22-20 NRL win over the three-time defending champion Penrith Panthers, ending a four-game losing streak in the upset.
Gold Coast have finally claimed their first win of the Des Hasler era, snapping their horror run with a thrilling 27-24 upset of the Warriors on Anzac Day.
After two rounds, Halswell Hornets are flying high in the Canterbury Rugby League premiership, winning their opening games to sit at the top of the table.
Discussions are under way behind the scenes over a proposed South Island NRL franchise’s plan to use an almost identical name to Canterbury’s top rugby league side.
Momentum will be on the Halswell Hornets side as they look to win their sixth match in a row when they take on the Hornby Panthers in Saturday’s preliminary final.
With three games remaining, the minor premiership is still open for most of the eight premier netball sides, while in football Christchurch United look to progress to the Chatham Cup semi-finals.