Red and Black Report: Edition No.25
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 25:
NRL
It was an unhappy night for the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday as they were stunned 52-34 by the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium, and halfback Kodi Nikorima had a quiet night for the home side with just 19 running metres and 17 tackles.
Matt McIlwrick was back in Wests Tigers’ starting line-up on Friday night, playing 80 minutes in the 22-14 loss to North Queensland. He reeled off a game-high 48 tackles. McIlwrick has played all 23 games for the Tigers so far this season – after tallying 29 games in five campaigns with the Raiders, Roosters and Sharks.
Lewis Brown enjoyed a happy homecoming on Sunday, coming off the bench in Manly’s dramatic and vital golden point win over his former club the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. The 194-game veteran played 18 minutes in the back-row.
Jazz Tevaga enjoyed his most significant contribution at NRL level in 2017, playing 45 minutes off the bench in the Warriors’ loss and racking up an impressive 14 runs for 143 metres, along with 19 tackles.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP
After a stint in first grade for Cronulla, Fa’amanu Brown was back at halfback for Newtown Jets in their season-ending 16-12 loss to North Sydney.
Jayden Nikorima featured at five-eighth for the minor premiership-winning Wyong Roos in a 30-22 victory over Newcastle.
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Central Queensland Capras flyer Ken Tofilau wasn’t able to add to his 2017 tally in a 44-4 loss to Ipswich, but he finished the ISC regular season fourth on the competition’s tryscoring ladder with 17. Phil Nati returned to the Capras’ top side with an appearance off the bench.
Fullback Jamayne Isaako booted four goals in Souths Logan Magpies’ 32-18 win over Mackay Cutters to finish fourth in the ISC regular season’s pointscoring race with 190. Nathan Saumalu scored a try from centre for the Cutters, who also had Setaimata Sa in the second-row. Both clubs will feature in the finals series.
