RED AND BLACK REPORT 2018: EDITION NO.2
Each week the Red and Black Report will keep you up to date with how our Canterbury Rugby League products are performing in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
NRL
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima brushed off a torrent of criticism for his performance in Brisbane’s Round 1 loss with a starring role in the Broncos’ thrilling upset of the heavyweight Cowboys. The halfback capped a stellar attacking display with a 68th-minute try in the 24-20 victory.
https://youtu.be/0zb6TqG7vt0?t=3m59s
With Jordan Kahu going off injured, Aranui product Jamayne Isaako took over the goalkicking duties and landed four vital goals for the Broncos in just his third NRL appearance.
Christchurch-born pair Pita Godinet and Matt McIlwrick again shared the dummy-half duties as giant-killing Wests Tigers pulled off another boilover, this time edging Melbourne 10-8 at AAMI Park to spoil Billy Slater’s 300th game.
Godinet reeled off 29 tackles and three runs as the starting No.9, while McIlwrick contributed 15 tackles and three runs off the bench.
Have to say Godinet seems to be unleashed atm. I love Thompson and Rochow for what they’ve done to own FG but Pita deserves a massive smooch too #NRLStormTigers
— Succulent Chinese Meal (@Julxxx99) March 17, 2018
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP
Hornby junior Fa’amanu Brown led the Canterbury Bulldogs’ 30-14 win over the Warriors’ ISP team at Mount Smart Stadium, with his try the highlight of a fine display at hooker. Ex-Chevaliers youngster Jazz Tevaga featured opposite Brown for the beaten Warriors, while Tevin Arona was left out of the match-day 17 after starting at halfback in Round 1.
Left out of Manly’s NRL squad after being left unused on the bench last weekend, Lewis Brown lined up at lock in Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles’ 46-0 demolition of Wentworthville Magpies. Brown needs four more NRL appearances to reach the 200-game mark in first grade.
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Former Rockcote Canterbury Bulls reps Ken Tofilau and Phil Nati started at wing and prop respectively in Central Queensland Capras’ 36-16 loss to Norths Devils, with Nati dotting down for a rare try.
#NRL #IntrustSuperPremiership Second phase play leads to another Bulldogs try. Nu Brown slices through some slow, soft Warriors defence as a right foot step gets him past Paasi. Conv. good by Martin. 26-8 Bulldogs.
— NRL News (@NRLNEWS) March 17, 2018
Another former Rockcote Bulls star, Papanui’s Nathan Saumalu, was a try-scorer for Mackay Cutters in a 26-24 loss to Easts Tigers.
JERSEY FLEGG
Sua Aiiloilo and Daniel Sakisi drew praise for their superb performances off the bench as Canterbury’s Under-20s overwhelmed their Warriors counterparts 28-10. Aiiloilo and debutant Sakisi both scored tries for the Bulldogs.
JERSEY FLEGG FULL TIME | We have defeated the Warriors 28-10 in NZ
TRIES: 5 Daniel Sakisi, Jacob Winterstein, Sua Aiiloilo, Tuipulotu Katoa and Nikau Williams; Conversions 4 Brandon Wakeham. #proudtobeabulldog
— Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) March 17, 2018
Patrick Elia again featured in the centres for the Warriors and was nursing leg knock after a torrid game.
Cronulla front-rower Cruz Topai-Aveai tasted victory for the second week in a row as the Sharks accounted for St George Illawarra 22-18.
Joseph Taipari helped pull the strings from five-eighth in Parramatta’s 38-6 rout of Manly.
HASTINGS DEERING COLTS
Former Papanui youngster and Canterbury age-group rep Jalen Tangiiti-Turner scored a try from the wing in Wynnum-Manly Seagulls Under-20s’ 36-16 victory over Sunshine Coast Falcons.