RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.3

April 4, 2023 / Will Evans

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.3

April 4, 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

Hornby Panthers junior Jordan Riki‘s 50th NRL game milestone could not have gone much better. As well as Brisbane Broncos flying his parents over from New Zealand (see the below article for the touching jersey presentation), Riki scored a sensational first-half double on top of 68 metres and 24 tackles in an 80-minute performance against Wests Tigers in Round 5.

Riki, who debuted for the Broncos in 2020, nabbed two Dally M Medal votes for his eye-catching display in the 46-12 victory.

Not to be outdone, Burnham Chevalier junior Jazz Tevaga picked up a Dally M vote (and probably should have got more) for a titanic effort in the Warriors’ incredible comeback victory over Cronulla on Sunday.

Promoted to the starting line-up with Tohu Harris out, the tireless, tenacious Tevaga topped the tackle count with 41 and was streets ahead of his fellow forwards with 17 carries for 156 metres in the epic 32-30 triumph.

Ex-Aranui Eagle Jamayne Isaako scored the opening try and kicked two goals for the Dolphins on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 38-12 loss to the Dragons in Wollongong.

Isaako still leads the NRL’s pointscoring charts with 52 and has crossed for five tries, one shy of the most in the competition.

Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima missed the WIN Stadium defeat courtesy of concussion protocols, but the former New Zealand Test No.7 is set to play a key role for the Dolphins with Anthony Milford joining first-choice halfback Sean O’Sullivan on the injured list.

Hornby Panthers product Fa’amanu Brown is sidelined indefinitely with a dislocated elbow suffered in Canterbury’s Round 4 loss to the Warriors.

NSW CUP

Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi had another strong game in the centres for Parramatta’s NSW Cup side, making 10 runs for 122 metres and 15 tackles in a 26-all draw with St George Illawarra.

Tahi Baggaley was a workhorse off the bench in the Warriors’ 22-10 loss to Western Suburbs Magpies. The former Canterbury age-group and Papanui player racked up 25 tackles and eight runs for 103 metres in 36 minutes of game-time.

Ex-Halswell Hornet Joseph Taipari had a strong game at five-eighth despite Sydney Roosters’ 24-14 loss to North Sydney Bears. Taipari had a try assist, 11 runs for 91 metres and two tackle-breaks as the Roosters staged a spirited revival from 24-0 down.

QLD CUP

Northern Bulldogs product Sheldon Pitama led Redcliffe Dolphins to a much-needed 36-22 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Rivalry Round.

The captain and hooker topped the Dolphins’ tackle count with 37 and made 12 runs for 90 metres in a typically industrious performance.

SG BALL CUP

A Warriors side captained by Halswell front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith and with Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua coming off the bench went down 42-10 to Western Suburbs Magpies.

Linwood centre Matthew Logopati was again among the tryscorers as Melbourne Storm went down 32-14 to Parramatta Eels, playing alongside captain and Hornby lock Josiah-Ekkehard Neli. 

Hornby product Felix Fa’atili returned to Cronulla’s line-up, coming off the bench in a 30-8 loss to Illawarra Steelers.

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben and Hornby second-rower Sosaia Alatini had starting roles for Canterbury Bulldogs as they were overwhelmed 52-6 by Penrith Panthers.

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