Red and Black Report: Edition No.6
Each week we’ll be keeping you up to date with how our Canterbury Rugby League products are performing in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
Here’s how they went in Round 6:
NRL
Halswell product Matt McIlwrick played a huge part in Wests Tigers’ stunning upset of North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night, scoring a first-half try from dummy-half – the second of his 35-game NRL career – and tallying five runs for 68 metres and 24 tackles in 52 minutes on the field. McIlwrick has cemented his place in the Tigers’ starting line-up despite the presence of ex-Origin hooker Matt Ballin and talented young rake Jacob Liddle, and looks odds-on to break his personal record of eight first-grade appearances in one season.
Little went right for Manly Sea Eagles in their 35-10 home loss to red-hot St George Illawarra, but 180-game veteran Lewis Brown was typically industrious in 32 minutes off the bench, making four runs for 42 metres along with eight tackles.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima earned a belated recall to the Brisbane Broncos’ 17, and helped steer the home side to a 32-8 victory over Sydney Roosters on Thursday night after replacing injured halfback Ben Hunk early in the second half. Hunt is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, which provides the 2015 Kiwis rep with a chance to start regularly in the halves with Anthony Milford; Nikorima is likely to make his first NRL start this weekend, coming off the bench in all 37 of his previous first-grade appearances.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP
After several weeks in the halves, Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles captain Pita Godinet reverted to fullback and helped his side to an impressive 36-18 victory over defending champs Illawarra.
Jayden Nikorima starred in another Wyong Roos win, scoring a try and kicking three goals in the second half of their 30-12 win over
Former Hornby duo Fa’amanu Brown and Penani Manumalealii were in New Zealand on the weekend to take on the Warriors ISP side, featuring in the halves in a 24-20 loss. Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga started at hooker for the undefeated Warriors.
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Rockcote Canterbury Bulls flyer Nathan Saumalu scored a hat-trick of tries and captain Setaimata Sa also picked up a four-pointer as Mackay Cutters defeated Central Queensland Capras side featuring Ken Tofilau 38-22.
Former Hornby Panthers prop Rulon Nutira made his third appearance of the ISC season in Redcliffe Dolphins’ 24-0 shutout of Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
NYC
In-form South Sydney Rabbitohs Under-20s forward Cruz Topai-aveai’s outing against Penrith Panthers last just four minutes, leaving the field injured after starting in the front-row.
