RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: 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 NSWRL’s competitions, as well as the NRL’s Round 16 and the latest round of matches from the Super League in the UK on a weekend where the rugby league world’s attention was focused on our city.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako had another fruitful day out on the Dolphins’ flank, scoring a try and kicking six-from-six in a 36-22 win over Wests Tigers – along with making 20 runs for 190 metres.
Isaako has opened up a 35-point lead at the top of the NRL’s pointscoring charts, racking up 180 in 14 games. At his current strike-rate if he plays every game, by the end of the home and away rounds Isaako will become only the fourth player in premiership history to score 300 points in a season. Meanwhile, he needs just three points against the Warriors this weekend to become only the 23rd player ever to reach the 1,500-point milestone in first grade.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima starred at five-eighth for the Dolphins with a try and two try assists.
Halswell Hornets product Tanner Stowers-Smith stood tall in front of friends and family at One New Zealand Stadium in Ōtautahi Christchurch, charging for a career-high 180 metres on 18 carries and topping the Warriors’ tackle count with 32 in the 38-20 win over North Queensland.
Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua made his second NRL appearance in his home city, making two runs and 10 tackles in 17 minutes off the bench for the Warriors a week after an eye-catching debut in Auckland.
Another Hornets junior player, West Coast prop Griffin Neame, was promoted to the Cowboys’ starting pack and made five runs for 50 metres and 27 tackles in 37 minutes on the park.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong produced another strong 80-minute display in Sydney Roosters’ 27-8 win over Cronulla, racking up 13 runs for 100 metres and 31 tackles.
NSW CUP
Papanui Tigers product Jason Salalilo had the honour of being the first Cantabrian to score a rugby league try at Te Kaha, crossing for the Warriors in a performance that also included two line-breaks, 11 runs for 124 metres and 25 tackles.
Young Linwood hooker Amasio Tiatita played the full 80 minutes and topped the Warriors’ tackle count with 37, but their side was overrun 44-16 by Canterbury-Bankstown – with Hornby Panthers junior Sosaia Alatini featuring in the centres and making 16 runs for 140 metres.
Riccarton Knights junior K-Ci Newton-Whare lined up in Melbourne’s front-row, toiling for 77 metres on eight carries and making 18 tackles in a 36-26 loss to Canberra.
Recently re-signed by Cronulla, Hornby Panthers junior Felix Faatili made 10 runs for 83 metres off the bench in Newtown’s 30-12 win over Sydney Roosters.
Another Panthers product, Jackson Stewart – a regular at fullback or centre at SG Ball and Jersey Flegg level in the past two seasons – made his NSW Cup debut starting at halfback. He finished with a team-high 156 run metres and a try assist.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Canterbury-Bankstown went down 22-20 to the Warriors in Auckland, but Linwood Keas winger Chelden Hayward scored a try and Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben kicked two goals for the Bulldogs.
Eastern Eagles winger Victory Isaako kicked two goals in Melbourne’s 28-24 loss to Canberra.
Led by Linwood Keas forward Te Kaio Cranwell, Newcastle was overwhelmed 62-14 by St George Illawarra.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Hornby Panthers product Manisha Seebeck lined up at fullback in Sydney Roosters’ 30-16 win over Parramatta in Round 2 of the NSW Women’s Premiership.
Eastern Eagles’ Terongomaianiwaniwa Williams made her second appearance for Canterbury-Bankstown, featuring in the front-row in a 20-14 defeat to Penrith.
Linwood Keas halfback Julliana Kolio helped Cronulla to a 26-18 victory over Mounties, scoring the last try of the match.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe stalwart Sheldon Pitama scored a late consolation try in the Dolphins’ 28-18 loss to Ipswich. Pitama started at lock and finished with nine runs for 81 metres and 21 tackles.
Blooded at NRL level by the Broncos this year, West Coast product and Eastern Eagles junior Antonio Verhoeven played centre in Wynnum Manly’s 36-16 loss to Norths Devils, making seven runs and 16 tackles.
SUPER LEAGUE
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga and Hornby Panthers product Caius Faatili featured as Wakefield Trinity powered to a 36-10 win over Hull FC.
Lock Tevaga scored a try on top of 13 runs for 99 metres and 20 tackles, while Faatili contributed nine runs for 85 metres and 17 tackles off the bench.
Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi starred at five-eighth in Castleford’s 36-18 victory against Toulouse, scoring a try and producing two try assists.
Photo Credit: One NZ Warriors
