RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.2

March 28, 2023 / Will Evans

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.2

March 28, 2023 / Will Evans

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League products featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.

NRL

Several ex-Canterbury juniors were in the wars at NRL level in Round 4.

The most unfortunate casualty was Hornby Panthers product Fa’amanu Brown, who suffered a dislocated elbow early in the second half of his Canterbury Bulldogs side’s 16-14 loss to the Warriors. Brown had chalked up four runs for 44 metres and seven tackles in 15 minutes on the paddock. No stranger to serious injuries, the 28-year-old utility had featured in every game this season for the improving Bulldogs but it set for a stint on the sidelines.

Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga produced another outstanding display off the Warriors’ bench in his second game back in the NRL from a pre-season injury.

Tevaga played 42 minutes in a depleted pack and got through mountain of high-quality work, finishing with 143 metres on 19 runs and 22 tackles to cement his place in the Warriors’ 17. He picked up two Dally M votes for his efforts in the 16-14 win.

Another ex-Chevalier, Kodi Nikorima, last just two minutes off the interchange in the Dolphins’ epic maiden derby with his former club, Brisbane Broncos. Nikorima failed an HIA after suffering a head knock, but has been cleared to play this weekend.

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako kept his place at the top of the NRL’s pointscoring charts with 44, slotting two conversions from as many attempts in the gallant 18-12 loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. The Aranui Eagles junior also chewed through a ton of work in a gripping encounter, running the ball 18 times for 193 metres.

Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki finished on the winning side of the ledger in the ‘Battle for Brisbane’, the Broncos second-rower reeling off 35 tackles in a non-stop effort.

NSW CUP

Aranui Eagles junior Deajarn Asi‘s quest for an NRL call-up at new club Parramatta continued when he featured in the Eels’ 22-16 defeat of defending NSW Cup champs Penrith Panthers on Thursday. The versatile Asi played 80 minutes at centre, making eight runs for 62 metres and 13 tackles.

Former Canterbury age-group and Papanui player Tahi Baggaley started at prop in the Warriors’ 30-18 defeat of the Bulldogs, getting through seven runs for 69 metres and 14 tackles in 32 minutes of game-time.

Ex-Halswell Hornet Joseph Taipari‘s Sydney Roosters had the bye.

 

QUEENSLAND CUP

Northern Bulldogs product Sheldon Pitama toiled tireless in Redcliffe Dolphins’ 36-10 loss to Burleigh Bears, making a team-high 33 tackles and seven runs for 52 metres in 80 minutes at hooker.

The Dolphins will strive for their first win of the 2023 Queensland Cup when they host Wynnum Manly Seagulls this Sunday.

JERSEY FLEGG

Halswell Hornets junior Montel Litasa‘s Bulldogs side had the bye.

 

SG BALL CUP

Halswell junior Tanner Stowers-Smith and Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua teamed up in the Warriors’ front-row in Round 8 of the SG Ball Cup, but it was a tough day out at Mt Smart Stadium in a 28-0 loss to the Bulldogs. Stowers-Smith captains the Adam Blair-coached team.

Linwood centre Matthew Logopati scored a second-half double as Melbourne came from behind to notch their first win of the season on Friday, 22-18 over Balmain Tigers. Hornby junior Josiah-Ekkehard Neli skippered the Storm’s breakthrough victory from lock.

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

The Bulldogs, who feature Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben and Hornby’s Sosaia Alatini in their ranks, had the Round 8 bye i Harold Matts.

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