RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.10
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
Canterbury products were in action in the fifth round of the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21s), the eighth round of the QRL Mal Meninga Cup (under-18s), the second-tier NSW Cup and Queensland Cup competitions, and NRL Round 5.
The NSWRL junior competitions took a break last weekend ahead of this week’s semi-finals.
NRL
Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki has played every minute of Brisbane Broncos’ 2024 season to date and produced his best offensive performance of the season in their 34-32 loss to Melbourne Storm in a Thursday night barnburner.
On top of a 30-tackle contribution, Riki made a season-high 132 metres from 14 runs, as well a line-break and three tackle-breaks.
Burnham Chevaliers product Jazz Tevaga was typically industrious in 32 minutes off the bench as the Warriors thrashed South Sydney Rabbitohs 34-4 at Accor Stadium.
Tevaga chewed off 113 metres from 13 runs and 15 tackles before leaving the field with an apparent leg injury.
Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako and Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima again played a key role as the Dolphins remained at the top of the NRL ladder with a 26-16 win over Wests Tigers.
Pointscoring machine Isaako ran for 108 metres and slotted five goals from six attempts, while Nikorima scored a brilliant and crucial try along with two line-break assists and 24 tackles.
Match Highlights 🎥: #NRLDolphinsTigers
The Dolphins overcame a heavy injury toll and spirited Wests Tigers outfit to maintain their place on the ladder with a 26-16 win. pic.twitter.com/odG719ox73
— NRL (@NRL) April 6, 2024
West Coast Kiwi Griffin Neame, who previously played for Halswell Hornets in the CRL juniors, made a big impression off the bench again in North Queensland Cowboys’ 35-22 defeat of Gold Coast Titans.
The rugged forward racked up 14 runs for 139 metres and 22 tackles.
NSW CUP
With several regulars on NRL duty, the Warriors were gallant in a 26-20 NSW Cup loss to South Sydney – and Halswell Hornets product Tanner Stowers-Smith put in a big defensive shift in the front-row with 32 tackles.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong again pushed his case for an NRL recall, topping Sydney Roosters’ tackle (34) and run-metre (189) counts in a 20-14 defeat to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Another player in the frame for a promotion to first grade, Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi made three runs for 43 metres and 22 tackles at five-eighth in Parramatta Eels’ 30-6 loss to Canberra Raiders.
WATCH BULLDOGS V ROOSTERS NSW CUP HIGHLIGHTS
QUEENSLAND CUP
Former Hornby and Canterbury Bulls powerhouse Caius Faatili made the most of 27 minutes off the bench in Sunshine Coast Falcons’ 32-10 defeat of Northern Pride on Saturday.
The destructive forward made 12 runs for 120 metres, including a line-break, at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Northern Bulldogs product Sheldon Pitama played 51 minutes in the back-row as Redcliffe Dolphins ran down Ipswich Jets 40-32 on the road.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Riccarton Knights prop K-Ci Newton Whare was the only Canterbury product in Jersey Flegg action with four matches postponed due to the weather event in Sydney.
Whare came off the bench and scored a first-half try in Melbourne Storm’s 28-18 victory over Wests Tigers.
MAL MENINGA CUP
Eastern Eagles product and 2023 South Island Scorpions rep Denzel Siaki played his second straight game for Norths Devils’ under-18s line-up, coming off the bench in an 46-22 loss to Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Mal Meninga Cup.
