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.
![](https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/processed-F3450B11-1D3D-45E6-A020-B75DAC7EF364-003-768x1024.jpeg)
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.
![2024-05-07 17_21_04-NRL 2024 _ Cowboys v Dolphins _ Full Match Replay _ Round 9 - YouTube 2024-05-07 17_21_04-NRL 2024 _ Cowboys v Dolphins _ Full Match Replay _ Round 9 - YouTube](https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07-17_21_04-NRL-2024-_-Cowboys-v-Dolphins-_-Full-Match-Replay-_-Round-9-YouTube-1024x596.png)