RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.22
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 and QRL’s competitions, as well as the NRL’s Round 18, the opening weekend of the NRLW and the latest round of matches from the Super League in the UK.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki’s effort could not be faulted in struggling defending premier Brisbane’s 28-16 loss to Cronulla, making 12 runs for 106 metres and 36 tackles, as well as taking an intercept in another 80-minute display in the second-row.
Aranui Eagles junior Jamayne Isaako’s Dolphins had their winning streak ended in a 13-12 loss at Newcastle, but the competition-leading pointscorer passed the 200-point mark for 2026 with a try (his 14th of the season) and two goals. The winger also racked up 16 runs for 151 metres and five tackle-breaks.
Burnham Chevaliers junior and Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima had eight runs for 50 metres and 21 tackles.
NRLW
Papanui Tigers junior Jaydika Tafua began her second NRLW campaign for Cronulla on the interchange, entering the fray to make 25 tackles and five runs for 49 metres in 44 minutes in an 18-4 loss to Newcastle.
Sydenham Swans product Martha Mataele picked up where she left off in 2025 for Parramatta, scoring a try on the wing and making seven tackle-breaks among 12 runs for 78 metres in a 28-16 defeat to Wests Tigers.
Mataele scored seven tries in 11 games for the Eels last season before debuting for Tonga.
NSW CUP
Hornby Panthers prop Felix Faatili played 40 minutes off the bench in Newtown’s 12-10 loss to North Sydney, churning through 11 runs for 93 metres and 18 tackles.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Hornby Panthers flyer Manisha Seebeck’s tryscoring run continued in Round 4 of the NSW Women’s Premiership, crossing for the Roosters’ last four-pointer in a 14-all draw with St George in Woy Woy.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe veteran Sheldon Pitama topped the tackle count with 49 in the Dolphins’ 32-10 loss to Souths Logan Magpies.
SUPER LEAGUE
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga started at lock and Hornby Panthers product Caius Faatili came off the bench as Wakefield Trinity romped to a 48-6 win over a Castleford side who had Aranui Eagles’ Deajarn Asi at halfback.
Tevaga made 10 runs for 107 metres and 19 tackles, and Faatili racked up 10 runs for 88 metres and 11 tackles – while both forwards produced a try assist.
