RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.14
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 latest round of the NRL, the NSWRL and QRL’s senior and junior competitions.
NRL
The Dolphins got back in the winner’s circle on Thursday night with a 20-16 defeat of Parramatta. Aranui product Jamayne Isaako kicked four-from-four, made a line-break and ran for 190 metres, while Burnham junior Kodi Nikorima had a line-break and a try assist along with a mammoth 35 tackles at five-eighth.
Hornby Kiwi Jordan Riki scored the opening try against South Sydney on Friday night, but his Brisbane side was run down 22-14 at Accor Stadium. The second-rower finished with nine runs for 85 metres and 34 tackles.
West Coast Kiwi and former Halswell junior player Griffin Neame played 37 minutes of North Queensland’s golden point draw with Penrith off the bench, making 29 tackles and six runs for 58 metres.
Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga started at lock in Manly’s 30-14 loss to Cronulla, toiling for 41 tackles and five runs in 49 minutes.
NSW CUP
The Warriors continue to sail along at the top of the table after a 46-30 win over Canberra.
Halswell prop Tanner Stowers-Smith making 10 runs for 95 metres and 16 tackles while Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua contributed 27 tackles and four runs off the bench.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Hornby second-rower Sosaia Alataini came off the bench for Canterbury-Bankstown in a 36-10 win over Parramatta.
Hornby prop Felix Faatili’s strong tryscoring form continued with a four-pointer in Cronulla’s 30-18 victory over St George Illawarra.
Riccarton product K-CI Newtown-Whare started at prop in Melbourne’s 28-26 loss to Newcastle; Linwood’s Te Kaio Cranwell came off the bench for the Knights.
Papanui Tigers junior Ezekiel Paulo, an SG Ball regular for Manly this season, came off the bench in the Sea Eagles’ 24-10 loss to Sydney Roosters.
MAL MENINGA CUP
A potent tryscorer throughout the campaign, Greymouth centre Antonio Verhoeven, who turned out for Eastern Eagles 18s and St Bede’s in 2024, celebrated in Burleigh Bears’ Mal Meninga Cup (under-18s) grand final win over Redcliffe Dolphins.
The teams went into golden point at 14-all before the Bears snared the title with a try.
