RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.28
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 NRL, NRLW, NSWRL, QRL and Super League matches.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong helped Sydney Roosters jump to the top of the table with a 12-6 win over Penrith, racking up 16 runs for 110 metres and a mammoth 48 tackles in another 80-minute showing in the second-row.
Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako broke the premiership record for the least amount of games to reach 1,000 points for a club, passing the milestone in his 93rd appearance for the Dolphins by scoring a try and kicking three goals in a 22-0 shutout of Manly.
The winger has 19 tries and an NRL-leading 256 points this season, while he also ran for a game-high 291 metres, and had two line-breaks and a try assist against the Sea Eagles.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima also shone for the Dolphins at five-eighth, making a line-break and producing a try assist.
Halswell Hornets front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith powered through 12 runs for 114 metres and 24 tackles in 39 minutes off the bench in the Warriors’ 40-6 rout of Brisbane.
Hornby Panthers second-rower Jordan Riki toiled hard for the Broncos, churning out 14 runs for 120 metres and 36 tackles in an 80-minute second-row effort.
West Coast product and former Halswell Hornets junior player Griffin Neame started at prop in North Queensland’s 32-30 loss to Parramatta, making five hit-ups for 49 metres and 29 tackles.
NRLW
Sydenham Swans’ Martha Mataele returned on the wing for Parramatta in a 30-18 win over Canterbury, making nine runs for 77 metres with three tackle-breaks.
Another Swans product, Isabella Waterman, who two try assists along with nine runs for 66 metres while playing in the centres in Canberra’s 25-18 win over Newcastle.
Papanui Tigers’ Jaydika Tafua started in Cronulla’s second-row for the second straight week, playing 60 minutes and racking up 27 tackles in a 30-18 loss to Newcastle.
NSW CUP
Hornby Panthers product Jackson Stewart made his fourth NSW Cup appearance for Sydney Roosters, starting on the wing in a 25-12 win over Penrith and making 11 runs for 90 metres along with 17 tackles.
Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua made six runs for 54 metres and 41 tackles in the Warriors’ 18-12 win over Manly.
Hornby Panthers prop Felix Faatili played 28 minutes off the bench in Newtown’s 42-30 victory over Canberra, chalking up three runs for 35 metres and 22 tackles.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Hornby Panthers centre Sosaia Alatini and Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben scored tries in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 32-22 defeat of South Sydney, while Reuben also slotted three goals.
Linwood Keas hooker Amasio Tiatia and Papanui Tigers forward Sione Telefoni, who came off the bench, helped the Warriors to a 26-24 win over Manly.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Linwood Keas halfback Julliana Kolio helped steer Cronulla to a 22-12 win over Wentworthville.
Eastern Eagles’ Terongomaianiwaniwa Williams came off the bench in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 36-4 loss to South Sydney.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs product Sheldon Pitama featured at lock in Redcliffe’s 46-16 win over Brisbane Tigers, making nine runs for 91 metres and 19 tackles.
Pitama is set to play his 150th Queensland Cup game for the Dolphins this weekend.
West Coast product and Eastern Eagles junior player Antonio Verhoeven lined up in the centres in Wynnum Manly’s 36-20 loss to Sunshine Coast Falcons, making six runs for 67 metres and 11 tackles.
QRL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Part of Brisbane Tigers’ Under-19s title success earlier this year, former Linwood Keas CRL Women’s Premiership player and Canterbury Bulls Girls 18s rep Kayshana Rapana played her third game for the Tigers’ QRL Women’s Premiership side.
Rapana made a cameo off the bench in a 22-10 win over CQ Capras.
SUPER LEAGUE
Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi helped lead Castleford to an 18-14 win over Hull FC from halfback, making 10 runs for 111 metres, four tackle-breaks and 19 tackles.
High-flying Wakefield Trinity was humbled 46-16 by St Helens, with Jazz Tevaga (10 runs for 62 metres, 20 tackles) starting at lock and Caius Faatili (seven runs for 52 metres, 38 tackles) coming off the bench for the Wildcats.
