RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.22
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
It was a tough afternoon in Sydney for the Dolphins last Sunday, who went down 26-6 to St George Illawarra.
Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako converted the Dolphins’ only try and made a line-break, along with 156 metres from 17 runs. Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima made nine runs and 25 tackles at five-eighth.
Another Burnham junior, Jazz Tevaga, produced two short, energetic stints in the Warriors’ pressure-relieving 32-16 win over the visiting Brisbane Broncos.
The compact middle forward racked up eight runs for 87 metres and 18 tackles in just 28 minutes.
West Coast Kiwi and former Halswell Hornets junior player Griffin Neame produced a big shift in North Queensland Cowboys’ shock 16-6 win over Penrith Panthers on Sunday.
The rugged prop churned through 118 metres from 12 carries and reeled off 37 tackles.
NSW CUP
Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua continues to shine at hooker for the Warriors’ NSW Cup side, making 56 metres and 34 tackles in a fiery 24-18 win over Canberra.
Halswell prop Tanner Stowers-Smith returned to the side on the bench, making five hit-ups and 15 tackles in 23 minutes of game-time.
As has been the case throughout 2024, Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong dominated the stats sheet as he dropped back down to NSW Cup level for Sydney Roosters.
The athletic forward played the full 80 minutes after starting at prop, combining a game-high 230 metres from 21 runs with 24 tackles in a 32-18 defeat of Newtown Jets.
Aranui Eagles product Daejarn Asi was an unused 18th man in Parramatta’s NRL loss to Newcastle, having already played a full NSW Cup game at five-eighth – laying on a try, kicking a goal, running for 94 metres and making 18 tackles – in a 30-8 defeat of the Knights.
Turning back the clock with an appearance at five-eighth, Hornby Panthers product Fa’amanu Brown scored a try, had a try assist and kicked four goals (along with 81 running metres and 12 tackles) in St George Illawarra’s 32-18 victory over South Sydney.
QLD CUP
Former Hornby Panthers and Canterbury Bulls game-breaker Caius Faatili played 49 minutes off the bench in Sunshine Coast Falcons’ pack in a heart-stopping 14-10 eclipse of Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Faatili chalked up 96 metres on nine carries and 25 tackles.
Redcliffe Dolphins overwhelmed Tweed Seagulls 58-12 and Northern Bulldogs product Sheldon Pitama scored a try late in the piece, complementing a strong game at hooker that also included two try assists.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Honrby Panthers prop Felix Faatili came off the bench in Cronulla Sharks’ 18-6 win over Sydney Roosters.
Versatile ex-Halswell back Oliver Lawry featured at centre and kicked three goals in Manly’s 48-8 romp against Kaiviti Silktails.
After making his NSW Cup debut for Canterbury-Bankstown last week, West Coast back-rower Callum Donaldson – who turned out in Halswell Hornets’ junior ranks – was back for the Bulldogs’ Flegg side in a 24-0 shutout of a Melbourne Storm side that had Riccarton Knights junior K-Ci Newton-Whare lining up at prop for the seventh straight game.
