Red and Black Report: Edition No.14
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 14:
NRL
After missing the previous week with injury, Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima was sensationally picked as Brisbane’s halfback over former Kangaroos rep Ben Hunt. Nikorima repaid Wayne Bennett’s faith with a try assist in a solid all-round display as the Broncos downed Souths 24-18 on Friday. Bennett has hinted at Nikorima being the long-term No.7 solution after Hunt joins St George Illawarra at the end of the year.
Lewis Brown played just 11 minutes of the bench in Manly’s controversial 18-14 win over Newcastle on Friday, the Riccarton Knights product’s 187th appearance in the NRL.
It was another tough day at the office for Wests Tigers on Sunday, but Matt McIlwrick again did his job with 29 tackles and three runs in 49 minutes of game-time in the 40-18 loss to Sydney Roosters. After playing just 29 first grade games in five seasons with the Raiders, Roosters and Sharks, McIlwrick has started at hooker in all 13 games for the Tigers so far in 2017.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP
Fa’amanu Brown was in the Newtown No.7 jumper – playing opposite former NSW Origin halfback Trent Hodkinson – and kicked three goals as the Jets picked up a much-needed 18-16 win over Newcastle Knights.
Pita Godinet enjoyed a win over his former club, featuring at five-eighth as his Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles thumped the high-flying New Zealand Warriors 30-12. Godinet was in the Warriors’ NSW Cup side that went down to Canterbury in the 2011 grand final.
Jazz Tevaga started at hooker for the beaten Warriors on Sunday.
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Rockcote Canterbury Bulls reps Ken Tofilau and Phil Nati featured in the Central Queensland Capras side that went down 28-18 to Burleigh Bears.
The Setaimata Sa-led Mackay Cutters drew with Townsville Blackhawks to keep their finals hopes afloat.
Sheldon Pitama came off the bench as the third-placed Redcliffe Dolphins put Easts Tigers away 22-12.
NYC
SG Ball-winning five-eighth Joseph Taipari – a Halswell Hornets junior – made his Under-20s debut for Parramatta Eels in their 40-4 loss to North Queensland Cowboys.
Photo Credit: NSWRL Twitter
