RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.17
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
Jazz Tevaga again played a leading role off the bench in another remarkable backs-to-the-wall win from the Warriors over the Dolphins in Indigenous Round, churning out 116 metres on 14 carries and 26 tackles in 46 typically wholehearted minutes.
The 24-20 win came at the expense of fellow Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima and Aranui product Jamayne Isaako, who combined for the first and last tries of the match. Nikorima’s pass saw Isaako open the scoring for the Dolphins and a deft kick gave the winger a double and set up a grandstand finish at Te pā o Rarotonga.
Isaako also kicked two goals as he past a century of points for the season; last season’s top scorer is second in the NRL with 108.
Match Highlights 🎥 – #NRLWarriorsDolphins
The Warriors once again defied injuries to several key stars to down the Dolphins 24-20. pic.twitter.com/Q6FP5BOJxV
— NRL (@NRL) May 26, 2024
Hornby second-rower Jordan Riki produced another hardworking performance in Brisbane’s shock 36-34 loss to Gold Coast.
Making his 79th appearance for the Broncos, Riki made 36 tackles and 72 metres from six runs.
Another Panthers junior, Fa’amanu Brown, played 21 minutes off the bench in St George Illawarra’s 44-12 loss to Canterbury on Thursday.
West Coast Kiwi and former Halswell junior player Griffin Neame did his job in North Queensland’s much-needed 46-28 win over Wests Tigers, racking up 10 runs for 98 metres and 26 tackles in the front-row.
Ex-Hornby winger and Super Rugby star Solomon Alaimalo scored his first try in his fourth NRL appearance for the Tigers, as well as producing a try assist for the second straight week and making 121 metres from 18 runs.
Match Highlights 🎥 – #NRLCowboysTigers
Doubles to Queensland State of Origin hopefuls Valentine Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and perennial try-scorer Kyle Felt helped North Queensland Cowboys secure a 42-28 win against Wests Tigers. pic.twitter.com/pojsifTw6X
— NRL (@NRL) May 24, 2024
Aranui product Daejarn Asi kicked three goals, made eight runs and reeled off 18 tackles in struggling Parramatta’s 42-26 defeat to South Sydney.
NSW CUP
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong’s bid to regain a regular NRL spot got a boost courtesy of a massive 224-metre, 20-tackle display in Sydney Roosters’ 36-28 loss to Canberra.
The Warriors’ brave NSW Cup winning streak came to an end via a 22-16 defeat to North Sydney, but their ex-Canterbury front-row duo again performed strongly.
Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua made 26 tackles and 45 metres from four dummy-half runs, while Halswell prop Tanner Stowers-Smith racked up 15 runs for 129 metres.
QLD CUP
Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe Dolphins centurion Sheldon Pitama was a second-row workhorse in a 13-4 win over Burleigh Bear.
The versatile forward played the full 80 minutes and toiled for 132 metres from 10 runs and 29 tackles.
Former Hornby and Canterbury Bulls powerhouse Caius Faatili’s barnstorming interchange form for Sunshine Coast Falcons continued, scoring a try, making three line-breaks and tallying 125 metres from 11 runs in a 22-16 loss to Tweed Seagulls.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
West Coaster Callum Donaldson, who spent time in Halswell’s juniors, came off the bench in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 34-22 loss to St George Illawarra.
Hornby prop Felix Faatili opened the scoring in Cronulla’s clash with Penrith, but the Sharks were ultimately edged out 16-14.
Riccarton prop K-Ci Newton Whare played his second straight game at prop for Melbourne Storm, who went down 28-24 to the Warriors.
