RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.20
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s and Britain’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
A host of Canterbury products were in action in the latest round of the NRL, NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup, Queenlsand Cup, NRL Q Series and the European Super League.
NRL
Hornby Panthers product and Kiwis back-rower Jordan Riki topped Brisbane Broncos’ tackle with 38 in their 26-12 win over the Warriors, as well as making 12 runs for 97 metres
The Dolphins’ 50-28 beatdown of South Sydney saw Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima score a try for the fourth game in a row, but the in-form five-eighth broke down with a serious hamstring injury before halftime.
Meanwhile, Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako kicked nine goals from as many attempts – taking his NRL-leading tally to 190 points – and racked up 142 metres for the Dolphins.
Relishing his role back in North Queensland’s starting line-up, West Coast Kiwi and former Halswell Hornets junior player Griffin Neame notched 12 runs for 90 metres and 25 tackles in Sunday’s 30-24 win over Gold Coast Titans.
NSW CUP
The ladder-leading Warriors rolled on with a 26-4 win over Manly in Sydney, with the help of two Canterbury-bred interchange players.
Papanui’s Jason Salalilo had a monster 36-minute stint off the bench with 12 runs for 145 metres and 26 tackles, while Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua chalked up 14 tackles in 24 minutes off the pine.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Hornby Panthers’ Jackson Stewart featured in another Sydney Roosters victory, lining up at centre in a 28-22 win over Wests Tigers.
Linwood’s Te Kaio Cranwell started in the second-row and Halswell’s Xavier Lynch came off the bench in Newcastle Knights’ 20-all draw with Canberra Raiders.
Hornby junior and front-row mainstay Felix Faatili returned and fellow Panthers product Richie Tupuailei scored a try for the second week in a row in Cronulla Sharks’ 40-14 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Halswell Hornets’ Oliver Lawry featured in the centres for Manly Sea Eagles as they went down 26-22 to the Warriors.
Riccarton Knights’ K-CI Newton-Whare and Hornby Panthers’ Josiah–Ekkehard–Neli both came off the bench in Melbourne Storm’s 36-14 victory over Kaiviti Silktails.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe Dolphins veteran Sheldon Pitama returned to Queensland Cup action with 21 tackles and six runs in an 18-10 loss to Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
NRLQ SERIES
The third round of the QRL’s under-20s competition between the four NRL clubs unfolded last weekend, with Halswell Hornets’ Meihana Pauling playing his third match for Gold Coast Titans.
Pauling lined up on the wing in a 24-4 loss to North Queensland Cowboys.
SUPER LEAGUE
Wakefield Trinity came back to earth after upsetting Wigan last week, but former Hornby and Canterbury Bulls forward Caius Faatili impressed in a 34-10 loss to Hull KR with 38 tackles and 15 runs for 97 metres.
Aranui Eagles product and ex-NRL utility back Daejarn Asi scored a try, notched two try assists, and made 66 metres and 18 tackles from five-eighth in Castleford Tigers’ 26-20 loss to Wigan Warriors.
