Red and Black Report: Edition No.16

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 16:

NRL

After starting every match so far in 2017 for Wests Tigers, Matt McIlwrick came off the bench for the first time in the joint venture’s 26-14 loss to Gold Coast at Campbelltown Stadium. The Halswell Hornets junior racked up 13 tackles in just 13 minutes of game-time.

Teaming up with Benji Marshall in Brisbane’s halves, Kodi Nikorima played the first 33 minutes of the Broncos’ 30-20 win over Canberra before being replaced by Ben Hunt. With the recently axed Hunt playing strongly, it seems likely Nikorima’s role for the remainder of the Broncos’ campaign will be as a bench utility.

Riccarton Knights’ favourite son Lewis Brown continues to do a job off the bench for surging Manly, playing 21 minutes in the back-row during the Sea Eagles’ 35-18 upset of defending premiers Cronulla on Sunday – the veteran utility’s 188th NRL appearance. 

INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP

Ex-Burnham Chevalier Jazz Tevaga came off the bench for the Warriors as they suffered a rare loss to Penrith, going down 22-19 at Mt Smart Stadium.

Penani Manumalealii was again at halfback for Newtown Jets as they were overwhelmed 18-12 by Wests Tigers at Henson Park.

INTRUST SUPER CUP

Ken Tofilau played on the wing and fellow Rockcote Canterbury Bulls rep Phil Nati came off the bench as Central Queensland Capras were outlasted by Easts Tigers in Rockhampton on Saturday.

Mackay Cutters crushed Norths Devils 52-4 at Bishop Park, with Setaimata Sa featuring prominently for the Cutters as they skipped their way into the top eight.