The Bulls opened their campaign with a nail-biting 16-14 win over the West Coast Chargers in torrid conditions at Wingham Park in Greymouth on Saturday.
After slipping to a 14-0 deficit at half-time, the Bulls fought back in the second 40. Linwood Keas second-rower Danny Samuelu-Latu crashed over in the dying stages to give them victory.
They now turn their attention to Aoraki – who suffered a 52-4 loss to Southland Rams in their opener.
The Bulls will be hoping for victory at Ngā Puna Wai on Saturday to boost their chances of a return to the NZRL premiership next year.
The top team at the end of the South Island championship will meet the best team in the North Island championship, with the winner promoted to the national competition – which Canterbury was relegated from last season.
The Bulls women’s side will be in hot form when they meet the Akarana Falcons in round 2 of the NZRL women’s premiership on Sunday. They dispatched the Wellington Orcas 22-8 in their first match last weekend.
The teams were level at 8-8 early in the second half before a strong finish saw the Bulls run in three more tries to seal victory.
Akarana ran in a 30-0 win over Auckland Vulcans in their first match of the campaign on Saturday.
The men’s game kicks off on Saturday at 2.30pm, the women’s on Sunday at noon.
