RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.15

May 14, 2024 / Will Evans

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.15

May 14, 2024 / Will Evans

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

The Dolphins continue to enhance their status as the surprise packets of the 2024 premiership – and Burnham Chevaliers juniorKodi Nikorima and Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako are playing a key role in the club’s rise.

Nikorima produced a try assist and Isaako kicked five goals, along with racking up 128 running metres, as the Dolphins outlasted Manly 30-24 on Thursday night.

Hornby back-rower Jordan Riki’s strong run of form for Brisbane rolled on in Friday’s 30-14 defeat of Parrmatta, with the tyro making a line-break and producing a try assist to go with a typically industrious 10 runs and 38 tackles.

Another Panthers junior, Fa’amanu Brown, played his fourth straight game off the bench for St George Illawarra since arriving from Hull FC mid-season, making a cameo in a 28-14 win over Souths.

Burnham junior Jazz Tevaga made his presence felt in his return from injury, churning through 11 runs for 80 metres and 13 tackles as the Warriors crashed to a heavy loss to Sydney Roosters.

West Coast Kiwi and former Halswell junior player Griffin Neame was a hardworking presence in a beaten North Queensland side, the prop reeling off 37 tackles without a miss and running from 130 metres on 12 carries.

 

NSW CUP

The Warriors’ Canterbury-bred front-row duo had a major role in Sunday’s 26-20 victory over the Roosters.

Linwood product Makaia Tafua continues to go from strength to strength at hooker, burrowing over for a try and having a key hand in another long-range effort a couple of minutes later. He also clocked 30 tackles.

Meanwhile, ex-Halswell prop Tanner Stowers-Smith iced another hardworking display (10 runs for 93 metres, 16 tackles) with a superbly taken try midway through the second half.

Burnham junior Siua Wong played 74 minutes in the Roosters’ back-row and showed his quality with 16 runs for 156 metres and 26 tackles.

Aranui product Daejarn Asi had a blinder at halfback for Parramatta, scoring a try, kicked five conversions from as many attempts and slotting a match-sealing field in the latter stages of a 31-24 win against Manly.

After playing his first two NRL games for Wests Tigers in the previous fortnight, ex-Hornby winger and Super Rugby star Solomon Alaimalo was outstanding in Western Suburbs Magpies’ 24-10 win over Newcastle with a try, a try assist and 166 metres.

 

QLD CUP

Northern Bulldogs junior Sheldon Pitama returned to hooker for his 100th match in Redcliffe Dolphins’ colours after spending the season to date in the second-row.

The respected clubman’s milestone was dampened somewhat by a 20-6 loss to CQ Capras.

 

JERSEY FLEGG CUP

Hornby prop Felix Faatili came off the bench as his Cronulla side was edged 27-26 by Manly.

Riccarton prop K-Ci Newton Whare played his second straight game at prop for Melbourne Storm, who beat Parramatta 20-4.

West Coaster Callum Donaldson, who spent time in Halswell’s juniors, was back in the starting line-up for Canterbury-Bankstown at lock in a 10-0 win over Penrith. Meanwhile, Hornby’s Sosaia Alatini – a tryscoring star through the Bulldogs’ SG Ball campaign that garnered a grand final appearance – was named as 18th man.

 

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