RED AND BLACK REPORT 2019: EDITION NO.2
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
Aranui junior Jamayne Isaako had a blinder in Brisbane’s stunning 29-10 bounce-back win over North Queensland on Friday. The winger set up an early try by leaping high to catch a bomb and offloading, while he produced several outstanding clean-up efforts at the back and made a number of elusive runs in a 122-metre effort.
Christchurch shootings too close to home for Broncos flyer Jamayne Isaako https://t.co/VupufZIv5d pic.twitter.com/rf9A5e6otv
— Stuff Sport (@NZStuffSport) March 18, 2019
The 2018 top point-scorer’s goalkicking radar was off, however, landing just two of six attempts from the tee.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima answered a few critics in the Broncos’ rousing win, running for 92 metres and coming up with a try-assist.
Another Burnham product, Warriors utility Jazz Tevaga, topped his team’s tackle count for the second week in a row with 43 stops.
But it was a tough night out for the Warriors on Sunday, trounced 34-6 by Wests Tigers.
CANTERBURY CUP
Ex-Halswell boy Matt McIlwrick joined his sixth NRL club midweek, leaving South Sydney for Parramatta.
The hooker topped Eels feeder team Wentworthville’s tackle count with 40 in a 24-22 win over defending champs Canterbury.
McIlwrick has played 56 first-grade games for Canberra, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla and Wests Tigers, while he was at South Sydney for half a season in 2018 but was not called upon for NRL duty.
New recruit @Matt_McIlwrick settling into #PARRAdise! pic.twitter.com/WsiqfiESos
— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) March 21, 2019
Former Canterbury age-group and Papanui player Tahi Baggaley came off the bench in the Warriors’ disappointing 48-10 loss to Western Suburbs, chalking up three runs and 16 tackles.
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Nathan Saumalu played a key role in Sunshine Coast Falcons’ 28-26 victory over PNG Hunters in Port Moresby. The winger, who joined the Falcons from Mackay Cutters in the off-season, scored a try in each half of the nail-biter.
The Vantage Homes Falcons defeat the PNG Hunters in a tight one 28 – 26!! 🦅🦅🦅
— Sunshine Coast Falcons (@SC_Falcons) March 24, 2019
JERSEY FLEGG (NSW Under-20s)
Daniel Sakisi was a front-row starter in the Bulldogs’ Round 1 clash with the Eels, scoring a 56th-minute try in an impressive 36-10 win.
Patrick Elia featured in the centres as the Warriors played out a thrilling 28-all draw with Wests Tigers’ under-20s. The Warriors fought back from 22-6 down to claim a valuable competition point.
HASTINGS DEERING COLTS (Qld Under-20s)
Zinzan Martin and Daejarn Asi again teamed up in the Townsville Blackhawks’ three-quarter line in Round 3. Winger Martin scored a 58th-minute try to put the Blackhawks into the lead, but they ultimately went down 14-12 to Northern Pride.
Jalen Tangiiti-Turner featured on the wing as Wynnum Manly Seagulls took Redcliffe Dolphins to the cleaners 38-0 on Sunday.