RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.14
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 latest rounds of the NRL, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup (NSWRL under-21s).
NRL
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima collected three Dally M Medal votes for a sensational performance in the Dolphins’ gripping 28-26 upset of North Queensland on Saturday night.
The five-eighth produced three try assists and had a key hand in the Dolphins’ other two tries, with Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako one of the chief beneficiaries.
Winger Isaako scored a blazing hat-trick – his third at NRL level – and added four goals for a 20-point haul, as well as running for 135.
Match Highlights 🎥 – #NRLCowboysDolphins
Rookie halfback Isaiya Katoa and veteran five-eighth Kodi Nikorima steered the Dolphins to a 28-26 defeat of the Cowboys in a gripping Queensland derby. pic.twitter.com/Sy3eOYXttp
— NRL (@NRL) May 4, 2024
In a beaten Cowboys side, West Coast-bred Kiwi and former Halswell Hornet Griffin Neame started at prop and made 13 runs for 139 metres, along with 34 tackles.
Hornby second-rower Jordan Riki scored the opening try for Brisbane in Friday’s blockbuster against Sydney Roosters, but he spent most of the night in the centres for the injury-hit Broncos in a 40-18 loss.
Riki finished with 79 metres and 24 tackles.
Another Burnham junior, Siua Wong, had 28 minutes off the bench for the Roosters, notching five runs and 10 tackles.
Match Highlights 🎥 – #NRLBroncosRoosters
The Roosters made a statement at Suncorp Stadium with a dominant 40-18 victory over the Broncos. pic.twitter.com/hhInfjcxad
— NRL (@NRL) May 3, 2024
Hornby Panthers junior and ex-Super Rugby and NPC star Solomon Alaimalo played his second NRL game on the wing for Wests Tigers, making 14 runs for 84 metres and three tackle-breaks in a 22-14 loss to Canterbury.
Hornby product and Kiwi Test rep Fa’amanu Brown had a 12-minute cameo off the bench for St George Illawarra in a 20-10 defeat to Cronulla, his third match for the Dragons since arriving midseason from Hull FC.
NSW CUP
The Canterbury-bred front-row duo played a key role in the Warriors’ gutsy 12-7 victory over Newcastle at a sodden McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
Linwood product Makaia Tafua has been a revelation at hooker, playing 72 minutes and making a game-high 43 tackles along with six runs for 72 metres. Meanwhile, ex-Halswell teenager Tanner Stowers-Smith put in another huge shift with 11 runs for 115 metres and 25 tackles.
Linwood product and Newcastle SG Ball player Te Kaio Cranwell catches up with Warriors NSW Cup duo and Canterbury juniors Makaia Tafua (centre) and Tanner Stowers-Smith
QLD CUP
Northern Bulldogs junior and Redcliffe veteran Shelton Pitama played 41 minutes in the second-row as the Dolphins were run down in a 32-30 loss to Western Clydesdales.
Former Hornby and Canterbury Bulls wrecking ball Caius Faatili made an enormous impact in just 28 minutes off the bench for Sunshine Coast Falcons in a 17-10 loss to Burleigh Bears, racking up eight runs for 81 metres, four tackle-breaks, a line-break assist and 23 tackles.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Halswell junior Oliver Lawry – after playing centre and fullback earlier in the season – slotted back into his favoured five-eighth spot for Manly, kicking a goal in a 24-16 win over Canberra.
Riccarton prop K-Ci Newton Whare played his second straight game at prop for Melbourne Storm, who were humbled 38-8 by Sydney Roosters in Round 9.
Hornby prop Felix Faatili scored Cronulla’s first try as the Sharks fought back from an early 10-0 deficit to beat St George Illawarra Dragons 22-16.
West Coaster Callum Donaldson, who spent time in Halswell’s juniors, came off the bench in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 22-10 win over Wests Tigers.
