RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.25
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 Queensland Cup and the European Super League, as well as the NSWRL Women’s Premiership.
NRL
Hornby Panthers product and Kiwis second-rower Jordan Riki put in a massive 80-minute shift in Brisbane Broncos’ 22-2 loss to Melbourne Storm, racking up 12 runs for 159 and 42 tackles.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga played 42 minutes off the bench in Manly Sea Eagles’ 28-12 loss to Canberra Raiders, making 13 runs for 108 metres and 22 tackles without a miss.
Another Burnham junior, Siua Wong, lasted just 11 minutes of Sydney Roosters’ 64-12 demolition of the Dolphins before failing an HIA. Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako added two goals to his NRL-leading points tally in the Dolphins’ heavy loss, while Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima produced a try assist.
Halswell Hornets junior and Warriors rookie stepped up in a 32-14 loss to Canterbury Bulldogs, playing 46 minutes off the bench and chalking up 14 runs for 99 metres and 25 tackles.
NSW CUP
Starting at hooker, Linwood’s Makaia Tafua had a blinder in the ladder-leading Warriors’ 34-30 win over Canterbury Bulldogs. He produced a line-break and try assist, as well as racking up a game-high 42 tackles.
Papanui forward Jason Salalilo played 44 minutes off the bench for the Warriors, contributing 10 runs for 74 metres and 21 tackles.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Hornby prop Felix Faatili lined up in Cronulla’s 24-16 defeat of Penrith.
Riccarton Knights forward duo K-Ci Newton-Whare and Josiah-Ekkehard Neli played in Melbourne’s 24-18 loss to Parramatta
Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben and Hornby Panthers second-rower Sosaia Alatini featured in Canterbury Bulldogs’ 26-14 win over the Warriors.
Halswell’s Xavier Lynch in the second-row for Newcastle’s 44-16 win over Manly. Fellow Hornets product Oliver Lawry scored a try from centre for the Sea Eagles.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
After playing for Canberra Raiders in the early rounds of the NRLW, Sydenham Swans’ Isabella Waterman lined up on the wing for Mounties in a 20-0 win over Penrith.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Starting at lock, Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe veteran Sheldon Pitama made 10 runs for 62 metres and 33 tackles in the Dolphins’ 30-12 loss to Burleigh Bears.
SUPER LEAGUE
Aranui Eagles product and former NRL utility-back Daejarn Asi laid on Castleford Tigers’ only try and kicked a goal in a 36-6 loss to Hull KR.
Former Hornby Panthers and Canterbury Bulls forward Caius Faatili started at prop in Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ 34-4 loss to St Helens, making seven runs and 23 tackles.
