Now back in the top flight, the Bulls are just a win away from their first title in 11 years, having topped the southern pool.
They will face northern winners, Counties Manukau, at Auckland’s Massey Park in the grand final on Sunday.
The Bulls went unbeaten in pool play, comfortably beating Aoraki Eels and Southland Rams before closer games against Otago Whalers and Wellington Orcas, who they beat 34-20 in the capital on Saturday.
With Counties winning all their pool games by an average margin of 28 points while conceding just seven per game, Bulls head coach Walt Wilson knows the challenge ahead.
“They’re very big and robust and they play very fast footy,” he said.
“They tend to roll through the middle with big bodies, so there’s a lot of things we need to take on board in order to compete against that.
“I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”
The Bulls last claimed the title in 2014, finishing third on the ladder but defeating the Waicoa Bay Stallions in the final after top-ranked Counties Manukau and Akarana Falcons were disqualified for fielding ineligible players.
Prior to 2014, the Bulls won national titles in 2009, 2003, and 2000.
They lost the 2019 and 2022 grand finals to Akarana before their 2023 relegation.
“With this group of men it would be bloody special because they’re a really good group,” he said.
“Last year I got on the phone to talk to a lot of different players to see what their interest was. Some of the answers were ‘I don’t really know’ or ‘I’m unsure’. This year we didn’t have anyone say no. They all wanted to be part of it.
“Now we’re in this position, I think they’re realising it even more – they are representing their province, their family, their friends, their teammates and their clubs.
“I'd love to think there could be a moment where we can put our hands up and say ‘look, we’re the best in New Zealand’.”
Meanwhile, the Canterbury women’s team ended their premiership campaign in third place after a 30-18 win over Wellington on Saturday.
First-half tries to Bayli Rapira, Kyla Lynch-Brown and Lucy Mahuika saw the team up 18-0 at half-time, before Wellington fought back to level the scores with 12 minutes to go.
Caitlin Sears and Shade McGregor-Pakau scored late to seal the victory.
The Bulls finished behind Counties Manukau and Akarana Falcons on the ladder, with the two teams to meet on Sunday in the women’s grand final.
• The men’s national premiership final kicks off at 12.05pm on Sunday and will be live-streamed on Sky
