Red and Black Report: Edition No.17
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 17:
NRL
Brisbane Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima started from the bench in a late switch with halfback Ben Hunt, ultimately playing 22 minutes – making a line-break with his sole run and racking up 10 tackles – as the Broncos went down 42-12 to Melbourne Storm.
Fa’amanu Brown made the 19th NRL appearance of his career – and his first at hooker – as Cronulla hammered Sydney Roosters 44-12 on Saturday. The Hornby product eased the Sharks’ dummy-half injury crisis with 22 tackles and five runs in an impressive 52-minute showing.
Riccarton Knights old boy Lewis Brown celebrated his first appearance in Manly’s starting line-up this year by playing the full 80 minutes in a 26-22 eclipse of his former club the Warriors. Used exclusively off the bench this year prior to the trip to Perth, Brown came into the back-row for the injured Curtis Sironen and tallied 38 tackles and four carries.
Matt McIlwrick enjoyed a rare win with the battling Wests Tigers, who overwhelmed Newcastle Knights 33-12 on Sunday. The Halswell junior made his modest 12 minutes off the bench count, producing a line-break and a try assist amongst four runs for 59 metres in a fine cameo.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP
Former Burnham Chevalier Jazz Tevaga displayed his versatility by starting at halfback in the Warriors’ 22-20 loss to Canterbury Bulldogs.
Pita Godinet featured at five-eighth for Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles as they went down to Wentworthville Magpies 18-8.
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Setaimata Sa moved from centre to second-row for Mackay Cutters’ 26-18 victory over Northern Pride, which saw the Cutters consolidate eighth spot on the ISC ladder.
Ken Tofilau was back on the scorers sheet with a try while Phil Nati started at prop for Central Queensland Capras, but the Canterbury Bulls reps were on the wrong end of a 30-10 scoreline against PNG Hunters.
NYC
Joseph Taipari made his third appearance for Parramatta’s Under-20s side, the halfback kicking a goal, making six runs for 80 metres and reeling off 12 tackles in the Eels’ 26-18 loss to Canterbury Bulldogs.
