RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.2
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
A host of Canterbury products were in action in the second round of the NSWRL’s junior competitions, the SG Ball Cup (men’s under-19s), Harold Matthews Cup (men’s under-17s) and Tarsha Gale Cup (women’s under-19s), as well as the English Challenge Cup.
SG BALL CUP
Hornby Panthers second-rower Sosaia Alatini, Linwood Keas centre Genesis Ah Kam Sherlock and Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben helped Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs get off the mark with a 24-10 victory over Western Suburbs Magpies on Saturday.
The Warriors’ winless start to 2025 in SG Ball continued with a 28-8 loss to Penrith Panthers. Halswell Hornets’ Meihana Pauling and Hornby Panthers’ Isaiah Savea lined up at fullback and hooker, respectively, for the Shannon Rushworth-coached Warriors in Sydney.
Papanui Tigers junior Ezekiel Paulo made his second appearance in the back-row for Manly Sea Eagles, who were humbled 32-4 by Illawarra Steelers.
Hornby Panthers centre Jackson Stewart bagged his first SG Ball try in the early stages of Sydney Roosters’ 22-all draw with Parramatta Eels.
Another Hornby product, Ezekiel Faga-Ieti, came off the bench in fast-finishing Newcastle Knights’ narrow 24-22 loss to North Sydney Bears.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
Sydenham Swans junior Evander Tafua, the first player to sign for Canterbury-Bankstown following its partnership with Canterbury Rugby League becoming official in 2023, made his second interchange appearance for the club in a 34-18 loss to the Magpies.
Defending champs the Warriors got up 22-20 in a thriller against the Panthers, with Celebration Lions duo, winger Calieb Fidow and interchange hooker Amasio Tiatia (for the second week in a row), grabbing tries.
Aoraki product Dougal Grant and fellow Hornby Panthers player Bishop Neal teamed up in the Warriors’ second-row, while Sydenham Swans’ Kenny Lafituanai and Riccarton Knights’ Christiano Elia came off the bench.
TARSHA GALE CUP
Hornby Panthers junior Manisha Seebeck made a spectacular Tarsha Gale Cup debut for Sydney Roosters after getting a late call-up on the wing. A grand finalist with Hornby and Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls squad member in 2024, Seebeck scored a long-range try in each half of the Roosters’ 30-6 victory over Newcastle Knights.
Linwood Keas’ Dejah Tuilau again lined up at centre and Hornby Panthers’ Kyra-Lee Westland came off the bench for Penrith Panthers in a 32-16 defeat to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
VIEW TARSHA GALE CUP ROUND 2 HIGHLIGHTS HERE
SUPER LEAGUE
Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi had a memorable debut for Castleford Tigers in their nail-biting 18-16 loss to Bradford Bulls in the third round of the knockout Challenge Cup.
The playmaker – who played 42 NRL games for North Queensland, the Warriors and Parramatta from 2020-24 – laid on two tries in the Tigers’ second-half comeback, but the Bulls held on when Tex Hoy was unable to convert his own try after the siren.
Meanwhile, former Hornby Panthers and Canterbury Bulls wrecking ball Caius Faatili has detailed his whirlwind arrival at Wakefield Trinity.
After spending the last few seasons in the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Sunshine Coast Falcons, Faatili was snapped up by Trinity last month and was on an extended bench for the club’s 82-0 Challenge Cup win over Goole, but ultimately did not take the field.
