Included in the Canterbury team was captain Charlie Pearce, Jim Auld, Abbie Shadbolt, Billy Mitchell, Bill Bussell and David McPhail.

The side was coached by Frank Endacott and included players such as Quentin Pongia, Terry Hermansson, Mark Nixon, Whetu Taewa Aaron Whittaker, Logan Edwards, Brendon Tuuta and Mike Dorreen.

With the creation of the Lion Red Cup however, many moved franchises and eventually ended up in Australia or England.

[4][5] They finished second in the 2006 season standings and defeated the Waitakere Rangers 26–20 in the non-elimination Semi-final.

Before the start of the 2007 season legendary coach Philip Prescott retired and was replaced by former New Zealand national rugby league team prop Brent Stuart.

[6] Canterbury lost the Rugby League Cup to Auckland on Queen's Birthday 2012, after holding it since 2009.

In 2013 the Canterbury Bulls were added to the Albert Baskerville Trophy, replacing the South Island Scorpions.