RED AND BLACK REPORT 2018: EDITION NO.1

March 12, 2018 / Canterbury Rugby League

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2018: EDITION NO.1

March 12, 2018 / Canterbury Rugby League

Each week the Red and Black Report will keep you up to date with how our Canterbury Rugby League products are performing in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.

NRL

It was a tough opening night for the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday, with halfback and Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima coming in for more than his share of criticism after the 34-12 loss to St George Illawarra.

But the performance of Aranui junior Jamayne Isaako, playing on the wing in just his second NRL game, was a bright spot for the besieged Broncos. Catching the eye with his towering kick-offs, the youngster also produced a brilliant try assist for James Roberts to open Brisbane’s account and racked up over 100 running metres.

Riccarton old boy Lewis Brown was used sparingly Manly coach Trent Barrett in Friday’s golden point loss to Newcastle.

Christchurch-born Pita Godinet started at hooker and made 20 tackles as Wests Tigers pulled off a king-sized upset of Sydney Roosters on Saturday. Halswell junior Matt McIlwrick received a late call-up to the NRL squad after initially being named in the InTrust Super Premiership side, joining the bench after Josh Reynolds withdrew injured.

Ex-Burnham Chevalier Jazz Tevaga travelled to Perth with the Warriors’ first-grade squad but was left out of the match-day 17.

INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP

Former Hornby and Rockcote Canterbury Bulls half Tevin Arona wore the No.7 jumper as the Warriors’ reserve-grade side kicked off 2018 with a 30-22 win over North Sydney at Mt Smart Stadium.

Another Hornby product, Fa’amanu Brown, featured at hooker for Canterbury’s ISC side after failing to force his way into the Bulldogs’ NRL line-up for Round 1. Brown scored the first try of the match in the sixth minute, but the blue-and-whites went down to Western Suburbs 32-10.

INTRUST SUPER CUP

It was a tough start to the season for centre Nathan Saumalu and the Mackay Cutters, who were hammered 56-12 by the Townsville Blackhawks in Round 1 of the ISC.

Winger Ken Tofilau and prop Phil Nati enjoyed a better time of it for Central Queensland Capras, however, featuring in a 15-14 upset of Easts Tigers in Rockhampton.

Sheldon Pitama started at hooker for Redcliffe and scored the only try of the first half against Souths Logan, but the Dolpins ultimately went down 16-15 in a tough home loss.

JERSEY FLEGG

Patrick Elia made his Under-20s debut for the Warriors, playing in the centres in a 24-16 defeat to the Bears.

Sua Aiiloilo came off the bench for Canterbury’s Flegg side in an impressive 30-10 win over Wests Tigers. Daniel Sakisi dropped off the Bulldogs’ extended bench pre-game.

Cruz Topai-Aveai started in the front-row and helped Cronulla to a comprehensive 38-14 victory over Sydney Roosters.

Joseph Taipari featured at five-eighth for Parramatta in a 26-18 loss to Penrith on Sunday.

Christchurch-born Wests Tigers utility Pita Godinet
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