RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.33
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 weekend’s NRL, NRLW, NSWRL and Super League finals matches.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong helped Sydney Roosters through to a preliminary final, producing a try assist along with seven runs for 54 metres and 31 tackles in a 46-10 victory over Cronulla.
The second-rower has played the full 80 minutes in all but one of his 25 appearances this season.
Halswell Hornets prop Tanner Stowers-Smith had 27 minutes off the bench in the Warriors’ heartbreaking semi-final exit at Eden Park, making five runs for 60 metres and 15 tackles in the 12-10 loss to Newcastle.
The 22-year-old played 21 games in his second NRL campaign.
NRLW
Former Sydenham Swans outside-back Isabella Waterman was the sole tryscorer in the lowest-scoring NRLW game of all time, crossing for the decisive four-pointer in the 16th minute as Canberra won its elimination final against Wests Tigers 6-0.
Grabbing a try for the third straight game and her fifth in eight 2026 appearances for the Raiders, Waterman also made 127 metres on 13 carries from the wing. The Raiders face unbeaten competition leaders Sydney Roosters for a spot in the grand final.
NSW CUP
Hornby Panthers forward Felix Faatili is set to line up in the NSW Cup grand final this weekend after Newtown’s 30-14 preliminary final victory over Newcastle.
Cronulla-contracted Faatili, who was making his 24th appearance in his first full season in NSW Cup, racked up eight runs for 92 metres and 13 tackles in 37 minutes. The Jets face minor premier Penrith in Saturday night’s decider at CommBank Stadium.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Linwood Keas winger Chelden Hayward, Hornby Panthers centre Sosaia Alatini and Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben helped propel Canterbury-Bankstown in the Jersey Flegg grand final via a 32-16 win over St George Illawarra in Saturday’s prelim.
Alatini and Hayward scored the first two tries of the second half to give the Bulldogs an unassailable 26-point lead, while Reuben slotted four goals.
SUPER LEAGUE
Wakefield Trinity defeated Leigh 26-16 in Friday’s Super League elimination final, advancing to a semi-final showdown with Wigan.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga made 12 runs for 95 metres and 22 tackles at lock for the Wildcats, while Hornby Panthers product Caius Faatili came off the bench to score a try, make 12 runs for 132 metres and rack up 23 tackles.
