RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.21
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
Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako scored a sensational 95-metre solo try in the Dolphins’ 30-24 loss to Melbourne on Friday, contributing to his game-high tally of 235 run metres.
Wishart finishes a Storm stunner! ⚡#NRLDolphinsStorm pic.twitter.com/yXsvvtvk96
— NRL (@NRL) June 21, 2024
The Kiwis Test winger also slotted four goals to close to within one point of NRL pointscoring leader Nick Meaney (140).
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima ran for over 100 metres, made 19 tackles and produced a try assist to continue his outstanding season in the Dolphins’ No.6 jersey.
Another ex-Burnham player, Jazz Tevaga, will be eager to forget the Warriors’ club-record-equalling 66-6 loss on the Gold Coast on Saturday – but he nevertheless led the team’s forwards with 129 metres in 35 minutes off the bench.
Outstanding at NSW Cup level, Chevaliers junior Siua Wong enjoyed a recall for his sixth NRL appearance of the season for Sydney Roosters and racked up eight runs for 70 metres and 14 tackles in 31 minutes off the bench.
NSW CUP
Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua again played an impressive part in another win for the Warriors’ NSW Cup team.
The tyro laide on a try, made 72 metres and reeled off 39 tackles as they stormed home in the second half to beat St George Illawarra 18-4.
Hornby Panthers product and Kiwis utility Fa’amanu Brown started at lock for the Dragons, notching 63 metres and 35 tackles.
West Coast’s Callum Donaldson, who turned out in Halswell Hornets’ junior ranks, earned the call-up for a NSW Cup debut after becoming a regular at lock in Canterbury-Bankstown’s Jersey Flegg team.
Donaldson played 30 minutes off the bench in the Bulldogs’ 38-16 win over Western Suburbs Magpies, chipping in 16 tackles and four carries.
QLD CUP
Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe Dolphins stalwart Sheldon Pitama lined up at hooker in a 38-8 drubbing of Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
The versatile forward chewed through 25 tackles and nine runs for 83 metres.
Former Hornby Panthers and Canterbury Bulls wrecking ball Caius Faatili was on the rampage in Sunshine Coast Falcons’ 52-22 thrashing of Western Clydesdales.
The powerhouse forward scored a try, made 107 metres from seven carries and chalked up 14 tackles in 32 minutes off the bench.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Riccarton product K-Ci Newton Whare played his sixth straight game at prop for Melbourne in a 28-10 defeat of Kaiviti Silktails in Fiji.
Hornby prop Felix Faatili produced a personal silver lining in a disappointing team result, scoring Cronulla’s last try in a 38-18 loss to Penrith.
Versatile ex-Halswell back Oliver Lawry featured at centre and kicked six goals from six attempts in Manly’s 36-16 victory over St George Illawarra.
It’s been a big fortnight for Linwood second-rower/centre Te Kaio Cranwell, who made his Flegg debut for Newcastle in a 24-4 defeat of Penrith last weekend and came off the bench in Saturday’s 18-16 win over Sydney Roosters.
Cranwell was a regular for the Knights’ SG Ball side earlier this year.
