Red and Black Report: Edition No.21

Each week we’ll be keeping you up to date with how our Canterbury Rugby League products are performing in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.

Here’s how they went in Round 21:

NRL

Moving to five-eighth for the injured James Maloney, versatile Hornby product Fa’amanu Brown enjoyed a fine 59 minutes against the Warriors in Auckland that included an opportunist try to put Cronulla up 12-6 at halftime, seven runs for 87 metres, and 12 tackles. But his night ended abruptly when he was knocked out making a tackle on Sam Lisone, who was put on report for lifting his knee. Brown left the field via medicab and was taken to hospital as a precaution, but is in doubt to take the field this weekend.

Kodi Nikorima was left out of Brisbane’s 17 for the Friday night loss to Parramatta, but he appears set for a shock return in the halves with Ben Hunt strongly tipped to replace injured hooker Andrew McCullough in the Broncos’ line-up.

Riccarton Knights old boy Lewis Brown returned from injury, and although his 190th NRL appearance was not a happy occasion with Manly pumped 40-6 by Melbourne, he put in a strong 80-minute performance in the second-row, racking up 28 tackles and 79 metres.

Wests Tigers enjoyed a rare victory on Sunday, thrashing Gold Coast 26-4, and Halswell junior Matt McIlwrick was at the forefront, playing all but three minutes of the victory. The hooker made a team-high 42 tackles and chalked up 40 metres from four runs.

INSTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP

Former Burnham Chevalier Jazz Tevaga featured at lock for a Warriors side that upset Mounties 32-22 on Saturday.

Jayden Nikorima helped steer Wyong Roos to a 24-22 victory over Penrith from halfback.

INTRUST SUPER CUP

Central Queensland went down 44-26 to Sunshine Coast, but Bulls winger Ken Tofilau kept pace with the ISC’s top try-scorers courtesy of a second-half double for the Capras. The former Halswell Hornets and Rockcote Canterbury Bulls star has posted 15 tries this season – fourth in the competition.