RED AND BLACK REPORT 2025: EDITION NO.26
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 NRLW and NSWRL Women’s Premiership.
NRL
Halswell Hornets front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith produced another industrious display off the bench in his ninth NRL appearance for the Warriors, making nine runs for 82 metres and 21 tackles in 33 minutes as they edged out St George Illawarra Dragons 14-10.
Hornby Panthers product and Kiwis second-rower Jordan Riki produced another big 80-minute performance as Brisbane Broncos scored an important 38-28 win over the Dolphins. Riki racked up 13 runs for 132 metres and 29 tackles in the comeback victory.
Aranui Eagles junior Jamayne Isaako kicked six goals from as many attempts to go with 127 running metres for the beaten Dolphins, taking his season tally to 236 points – 54 clear of his nearest rival. Burnham Chevaliers junior and Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima made 21 tackles and had 41 possessions.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga toiled for 44 tackles and made nine runs after starting at lock in Manly’s disappointing 26-12 defeat to Wests Tigers.
NRLW
Papanui Tigers product Jaydika Tafua returned from suspension to start in the second-row in Cronulla Sharks’ 12-8 win over Gold Coast Titans. The NRLW rookie made eight runs for 51 metres and 30 tackles in the much-needed victory.
NSW CUP
The ladder-leading Warriors suffered their first loss since Round 6 – 20-18 to Penrith – but Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua continued to enhance his reputation, racking up a game-high 53 tackles on top of five dummy-half runs.
Hornby Panthers’ Felix Faatili got his fourth NSW Cup call-up of the season, starting at prop for Newtown Jets and making 78 metres and 26 tackles in a 30-28 loss to Parramatta Eels.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Versatile Halswell Hornets back Oliver Lawry was a bright spot in Manly’s 36-16 loss to Kaviti Silktails in Fiji, scoring two tries from the wing.
Linwood Keas product Dakota Kakoi featured in the centres in Parramatta Eels’ 46-16 romp against Cronulla Sharks.
Hornby Panthers’ Jackson Stewart returned for Sydney Roosters in the centres in a 46-12 loss to Melbourne Storm.
Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben kicked three goals in Canterbury Bulldogs’ 24-22 loss to Canberra Raiders.
Halswell’s Xavier Lynch was in the second-row and Linwood’s Te Kaio Cranwell at lock for Newcastle’s 18-8 defeat of St George Illawarra.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs junior and Redcliffe Dolphins stalwart Shelton Pitama was an interchange workhorse in a 32-0 loss to Sunshine Coast Falcons, making 36 tackles and 12 runs for 84 metres in 57 minutes of game-time.
SUPER LEAGUE
It was a tough outing for Aranui Eagles product and former NRL utility-back Daejarn Asi’s Castleford Tigers, who were humbled 64-6 by Leeds Rhinos. The five-eighth made 13 tackles and 15 runs in the heavy defeat.
