RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.9
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 5 and the weekend’s Super League action from the UK.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
The Dolphins suffered a shock 52-18 loss to struggling Manly on Thursday night, but Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako was a solid performer on the wing with 17 runs for 176 metres and three conversions from as many attempts.
Dolphins five-eighth and Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima had a try assist, nine runs and 23 tackles.
West Coast product and former Halswell junior player Griffin Neame played 31 minutes off the bench in North Queensland’s 32-0 shutout of St George Illawarra, making five runs for 56 metres and 17 tackles.
In-form Brisbane second-rower and Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki was a strong 80-minute contributor again in a 26-12 win on the Gold Coast. The Kiwis rep churned out 13 runs for 129 metres and 38 tackles in an industrious display.
Meanwhile, West Coaster and Eastern Eagles junior player Antonio Verhoeven came off the bench for the Broncos to make his NRL debut. Slotting in on the wing just before halftime after Reece Walsh’s injury exit, the 19-year-old sensation racked up eight runs for 74 metres in a solid introduction to the big time.
Halswell Hornets front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith was one of the Warriors’ best in a disappointing 36-22 loss at Cronulla on Sunday.
The 22-year-old powered through 143 metres on 16 carries and made 22 tackles in 41 minutes off the bench.
NSW CUP
South Sydney centre and Halswell Hornets junior Oliver Lawry scored a try in a 36-10 win over Canterbury-Bankstown.
Riccarton Knights prop K-Ci Newton-Whare made seven runs for 77 metres and 34 tackles up front for Melbourne in a 40-12 loss to Penrith.
Hornby Panthers sensation Bishop Neal had another massive game off the bench for the Warriors in a 26-24 eclipse of Newtown Jets. The 17-year-old made 173 metres from 10 runs – including a line-break – and 18 tackles in his third NSW Cup appearance.
Fellow Panther junior Felix Faatili notched 93 metres from nine runs and 22 tackles in an impressive 34 minutes from the Jets’ interchange.
Papanui Tigers second-rower Ezekiel Paulo topped Manly’s tackle count with 27 and made seven runs for 77 metres in a 26-18 loss to North Sydney.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Linwood winger Chelden Hayward scored two tries, Northern halfback Bronson Reuben kicked five goals and Hornby’s Sosaia Alataini played in the second-row as Canterbury-Bankstown outlasted South Sydney 30-20.
Northern Bulldogs and Papanui Tigers junior Jamayne Feast produced an outstanding line-break and try assist from five-eighth for the Rabbitohs.
Linwood Keas’ Te Kaio Cranwell captained Newcastle from prop in a 46-16 loss to Canberra.
After making a surprise NSW Cup debut last week, Keas hooker Amasio Tiatia lined up in the No.9 in the Warriors’ 36-12 loss to Cronulla.
SG BALL CUP
The Warriors’ SG Ball Cup team, coached by former Halswell player Shannon Rushworth, finished their 2026 campaign with a 30-22 final-round loss to Illawarra Steelers.
Their pack featured three Canterbury players: Halswell hooker Rene Frame, Hornby prop Micah Sula and Linwood lock Lennox Tuiloma.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
The Warriors went down 36-6 to Illawarra in their last Harold Matthews Cup fixture of the season. Sydenham duo Kenny Lafituanai and Dominic Tanoa’i featured at prop and off the bench, respectively.
Sydenham Swans’ Seu Fidow started at prop for Sydney Roosters in a 44-10 defeat of North Sydney Bears, while Hornby Panthers’ Riley Smart came off the bench. The Roosters will line up in the first week of the finals series.
Sydenham’s Evander Tafua played centre and Linwood’s Kaci Heath featured at hooker as Canterbury-Bankstown’s campaign wrapped up with a 26-4 loss to Parramatta.
TARSHA GALE CUP
Cronulla Sharks, who had Linwood’s Julliana Kolio at halfback, sealed a top-four finish in the Tarsha Gale Cup with a 22-10 win over Canberra Raiders.
NRLQ SERIES
The QRL’s under-20s competition between the four Queensland-based NRL clubs kicked off on the weekend, with Halswell Hornets’ Meihana Pauling lining up at fullback for Gold Coast Titans and kicking three goals in a 26-18 loss to Brisbane Broncos.
QRL HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-19S
Linwood Keas product Kayshana Rapana helped Brisbane Tigers to the 2026 Harvey Norman Under-19s grand final, playing lock and kicking two goals in a 28-12 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
The Tigers take on Souths Logan Magpies in Saturday’s decider at Redcliffe.
SUPER LEAGUE
Aranui Eagles product Daejarn Asi featured at five-eighth in a tough Easter outing for Castleford Tigers, who went down 34-0 to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Canterbury juniors Jazz Tevaga and Caius Faatili missed the Wildcats’ victory with injury but are expected to be available for this week’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wigan Warriors.
