RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.5

May 2, 2023 / Will Evans

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2023: EDITION NO.5

May 2, 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

Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako still has his nose in front in the NRL’s pointscoring race, kicking four goals in the Dolphins’ premiership-record-equalling comeback win over Gold Coast in Round 8 and landing five-from-five (as well as setting up a try) in Saturday’s golden point defeat to Canberra.

The winger has racked up 96 points from eight tries and 33 goals.

Meanwhile, utility clubmate Kodi Nikorima, who played for Burnham Chevaliers as a junior, has played four straight games at five-eighth for the injury-hit Dolphins. The 166-game veteran produced two try-assists against each of the Titans and Raiders, while he ran for a remarkable 164 metres in Round 8 and made a line-break in Round 9.

Fellow Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga has had his outstanding campaign for the Warriors interrupted by a serious calf injury incurred during the club’s gallant Anzac Day loss to Melbourne Storm. There’s no return date in place for the workhorse forward, who is averaging 122 metres and 33 tackles per game in 2023.

Hornby Panthers second-rower Jordan Riki has started every game for the NRL-leading Brisbane Broncos, scoring four tries and averaging 75 metres and 30 tackles in his fourth season in the first-grade ranks.

The 23-year-old may still be adjusting to life in Australia, however, if this prank from a Broncos teammate is anything to go by.

https://twitter.com/JoshTBristow/status/1648614812765802496?s=20

Canterbury Bulldogs utility and Hornby Panthers junior Fa’amanu Brown was 18th man for Sunday’s clash with St George Illawarra as he looks to return from an injury suffered against the Warriors in Round 4.

 

NSW CUP

Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi has been included on extended benches for Parramatta’s NRL side in recent weeks, while he keeps display his backline versatile for the Eels’ NSW Cup line-up as he pushes for a top-grade call-up.

The former Cowboy and Warrior started at five-eighth in a heavy loss the Warriors in Round 8, before reverting to fullback and starring in the Eels’ 44-10 thrashing of Newcastle with three try-assists and 137 running metres.

After a strong campaign as captain of the Warriors’ SG Ball team, Halswell front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith ticked off another major milestone by making his NSW Cup debut for the club against Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

The teenager looked very much at home in senior company, making nine runs for 88 metres in 27 minutes off the bench in the Warriors’ 34-22 victory at Mt Smart Stadium.

Another Halswell product, five-eighth Joseph Taipari, was in the beaten Roosters team, making 58 metres and 22 tackles in a typically solid display partnering demoting NRL star Sam Walker in the halves.

 

QLD CUP

Veteran hooker Sheldon Pitama continues to lead Redcliffe Dolphins in industrious fashion in the Queensland Cup. The Northern Bulldogs product topped the tackle count with 41 and made 15 runs for 101 in the Dolphins’ 40-12 defeat of Ispwich Jets a fortnight ago, while on Saturday he scored a match-sealing try, led the team again with 29 tackles and chalked up 95 metre on 12 carries in a 32-18 victory over Sunshine Coast Falcons.

After a rocky start to their 2023 campaign, Pitama’s Dolphins have climbed to eighth on the ladder after seven rounds.

 

HAROLD MATTHEWS

There was a strong Canterbury influence in the Bulldogs’ 32-6 defeat of the Knights in Saturday’s Harold Matthews Cup grand final.

Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben kicked five goals and Hornby second-rower Sosaia Alatini featured in the Bulldogs’ pack as they dominated the second half at Leichhardt Oval.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs team was coached by former Halswell stalwart Shannon Rushworth (pictured below with Alantini (left) and Reuben (right).

Bulldogs Harold Matthew Cup coach Shannon Rushworth (centre) with Sosaia Alatini (left) and Bronson Reuben (right) after the 2023 grand final.
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