RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.24
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 20, the third round 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 played an integral role as Brisbane ended an eight-match losing streak with an epic 14-12 upset of Penrith.
The second-rower scored the opening try from a Reece Walsh grubber and racked up 20 runs for 174 metres and 38 tackles as the defending premiers kept their slim finals hopes alive.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong replicated Riki’s effort in Sydney Roosters’ 14-6 defeat of Melbourne on Friday, opening the scoring with an early try from a kick.
In another industrious 80-minute display, Wong made 14 runs for 103 metres and 42 tackles for the high-flying Tricolours.
Halswell Hornets prop Tanner Stowers-Smith was one of the second-placed Warriors’ best in a tense 20-12 win over St George Illawarra at Go Media Stadium.
The 22-year-old was immense in 44 minutes off the bench, racking up 155 metres on 16 runs along with 29 tackles.
The Dolphins bounced back from a horror 66-0 loss to Cronulla with a crucial 36-16 victory against North Queensland on Sunday – and Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako and Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima were at the forefront.
Winger Isaako scored his 16th and 17th tries of the season and kicked six goals from as many attempts, the 20-point haul extending his lead at the top of the NRL’s standings. He has scored 222 points, 69 clear of Nathan Cleary. Isaako also made 16 runs for 144 metres.
Five-eighth Nikorima produced a try assist and made 19 tackles.
NRLW
Papanui Tigers junior Jaydika Tafua scored a try for the second week in a row, crossing for Cronulla in a 24-18 defeat to Canterbury.
The back-row tyro also made four runs for 32 metres and nine tackles in 25 minutes off the bench.
Sydenham Swans’ Martha Mataele featured on the wing in Parramatta’s 50-12 loss to Gold Coast, racking up 77 metres from seven carries and making four tackle-breaks.
NSW CUP
Versatile young Hornby Panthers product Jackson Stewart came back into Sydney Roosters’ line-up in the centres, making 11 runs for 69 metres and 12 tackles in a 27-18 win over Melbourne.
Riccarton Knights prop K-Ci Newton-Whare toiled for 65 metres on seven runs and 22 tackles without a miss for the Storm.
Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua topped the tackle count with 45 in the Warriors’ thrilling 31-26 defeat of St George Illawarra.
Hornby Panthers prop Felix Faatili was strong in 37 minutes off the bench in Newtown’s 16-14 loss to Newcastle, reeling off 19 tackles and making 11 runs for 97 metres.
Another Panthers product, Sosaia Alatini, contributed nine runs for 72 metres in the centres for Canterbury in a 36-30 loss to Western Suburbs.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Linwood Keas halfback Julliana Kolio helped steer Cronulla to a 24-20 win over Canterbury at Henson Park in Round 6 on Saturday.
Ex-Sydenham Swans three-quarter Isabella Waterman scored the opening try of Mounties’ 14-10 victory against Central Coast Roosters after starting at centre.
Hornby Panthers winger Manisha Seebeck bagged another try for the Roosters.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Linwood Keas product Te Kaio Cranwell skippered Newcastle to a 30-20 win over Cronulla from lock.
Keas hooker Amasio Tiatia featured in the No.9 jersey as the Warriors went down 34-22 to St George Illawarra, while Papanui Tigers junior Sione Telefoni came off the bench for his second Jersey Flegg appearance.
Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben and Linwood winger Chelden Hayward both scored two tries in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 38-12 defeat of Wests Tigers.
Hornby’s Isaiah Savea came off the bench to score a try in Melbourne’s 32-24 loss to Sydney Roosters, while Eastern winger Victory Isaako kicked four goals for the Storm.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern product and Redcliffe veteran Sheldon Pitama was a workhorse at lock in the Dolphins’ 28-14 win over Sunshine Coast, racking up 13 runs for 97 metres and 21 tackles.
West Coaster and Eastern Eagles junior Antonio Verhoeven scored a try, produced two try assists and ran for 132 metres at centre in Wynnum Manly’s 52-22 thrashing of Ipswich.
SUPER LEAGUE
Wakefield Trinity’s roll continued with a 26-12 defeat of Bradford – and Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga and Hornby Panthers product Caius Faatili again made huge contributions.
Lock Tevaga made 17 runs for 125 metres and 23 tackles, while interchange forward Faatili churned out a massive 17 runs for 179 metres and 32 tackles for the third-placed Wildcats.
Aranui Eagles product Daejarn Asi played a vital role in Castleford’s 36-34 upset of competition-leading Leeds, the five-eighth scoring a try and laying on another.
