RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.7
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 NSWRL and QRL competitions, as well as NRL Round 3 and the latest round of Super League matches from the UK.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Sydney Roosters crashed 40-4 to Penrith Panthers, but Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong was tireless with a game-high 45 tackles on top of nine runs for 83 metres.
Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki played a massive role in Brisbane Broncos’ stunning 18-14 comeback win over Melbourne Storm.
The Kiwis second-rower scored two tries in the first 12 minutes of the second half, and finished with 15 runs for 152 metres and 35 tackles.
Aranui Eagles junior Jamayne Isaako starred with a try, seven goals and 21 runs for 187 metres in the Dolphins’ emphatic 38-10 win at Cronulla, while five-eighth Kodi Nikorima – a Burnham Chevaliers junior – produced a try assist and made 26 tackles.
West Coaster and former Halswell Hornets junior player Griffin Neame made a strong contribution to North Queensland Cowboys’ first win of the season, starting at prop and making 13 runs for 132 metres and 16 tackles in a 30-16 defeat of Gold Coast Titans.
NSW CUP
Hornby Panthers product Bishop Neal’s meteoric rise continued with a NSW Cup debut in Newcastle on Saturday.
The 17-year-old Warriors second-rower – who played his first games at SG Ball and Jersey Flegg level earlier this season – marked the step up to senior football with try, eight runs for 66 metres and 24 tackles in a 32-22 loss to the Knights.
Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua scored the opening try of the match and tallied 35 tackles for the Warriors.
Riccarton Knights’ K-Ci Newton Whare and Hornby Panthers’ Felix Faatili were interchange adversaries on Saturday, with Whare making a cameo as his Melbourne Storm side defeated Faatili’s Newtown Jets 20-12. Faatili made nine runs for 85 metres and 19 tackles.
Halswell Hornets junior Oliver Lawry scored a try on NSW Cup debut, featuring at centre in South Sydney Rabbitohs’ 20-12 win over Western Suburbs Magpies. The ex-Wests Tigers and Manly lower-grader also made nine runs for 74 metres and 19 tackles.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Hornby Panthers’ Micah Sula came off the bench for the ladder-leading Warriors in a 44-6 demolition of Newcastle. Linwood Keas’ Te Kaio Cranwell captained the Knights from the front-row.
Hornby second-rower Sosaia Alataini scored a try, Northern halfback Bronson Reuben kicked five goals and Linwood winger Chelden Hayward played on the wing as Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs edged out Canberra Raiders 30-26.
Northern Bulldogs and Papanui Tigers junior Jamayne Feast helped South Sydney Rabbitohs to a 22-all draw with Wests Tigers from five-eighth.
Hornby Panthers centre Jackson Stewart continued his outstanding tryscoring form, crossing for a four-pointer in his Sydney Roosters team’s heart-breaking 28-26 loss to Penrith Panthers.
SG BALL CUP
Linwood’s Amasio Tiatia was at hooker and Halswell’s Rene Frame came off the bench as the Warriors were humbled 44-4 by Parramatta.
Hornby’s Isaiah Savea came off the bench in Melbourne’s 16-14 loss to Penrith.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
Sydenham Swans’ Seu Fidow earned his first start at prop for Sydney Roosters in a 30-10 win over North Sydney Bears, while Hornby Panthers’ Riley Smart came off the bench.
Riccarton Knights three-quarter line duo Hoani-Manuera Kahukiwa and Lennox-Rua Limu Franklin scored the Warriors’ tries in a 26-10 loss to the Eels.
The Swans’ Kenny Lafituanai was at prop, and fellow Sydenham junior Hemiata Togia and Riccarton’s Christiano Elia came off the bench for the Warriors.
Sydenham lock Evander Tafua scored a try and Linwood’s Kaci Heath featured at hooker at Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs pipped Western Suburbs Magpies 26-24.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs junior and Redcliffe stalwart Sheldon Pitama started at lock in the Dolphins’ 36-16 victory over Wynnum Manly Seagulls, making eight runs for 60 metres and 26 tackles.
Boom West Coast product and Eastern Eagles junior player Antonio Verhoeven scored a try from the wing for the Seagulls.
QRL HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-19s
A Linwood Keas CRL Women’s Premiership grand finalist at Canterbury Bulls 18s Girls rep in 2025, Kayshana Rapana again lined up at lock and kicked two goals as Brisbane Tigers powered to a 30-6 win over Ipswich Jets.
SUPER LEAGUE
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga scored his first try and made 32 tackles in Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ 18-14 win over Leigh Leopards.
Hornby Panthers product and former Canterbury Bulls forward Caius Faatili made seven runs and 21 tackles for the Wildcats.
It was a tough day out for Aranui Eagles playmaker Daejarn Asi and Castleford Tigers, who were humbled 72-6 by Warrington Wolves.
