RED AND BLACK REPORT 2018: EDITION NO.17
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
Aranui product Jamayne Isaako all but confirmed he will be named the 2018 Dally M Rookie of the Year, producing another stellar performance in Brisbane’s 34-0 demolition of Gold Coast.
The 22-year-old winger booted seven goals – taking his season points tally to 145, third in the NRL – and making two long breaks out of the Broncos’ half in a 146-metre display.
Off contract Brisbane star Jamayne Isaako has given his clearest statement yet about his playing future declaring he wants to remain at the Broncos for life. https://t.co/GfCQrpKSya #Bronxnation pic.twitter.com/cic43q35b2
— BroncosHQ.com (@BroncosHQ) July 5, 2018
Jamayne Isaako is currently the 17th most accurate goal kicker of all time (min 50 attempts), on the heels of Halligan and Thurston with 78.95%.
Not bad considering 23 of his 62 attempts have been within 15 of the sidelines.
— Broncos Weekly (@broncosweekly) July 3, 2018
Meanwhile, teammate and Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima had a fine game in the No.7, scoring the first try, playing a key role in several others and running for 95 metres.
The @brisbanebroncos pounce early!#NRLTitansBroncos 0-6 after six minutes. #TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/kVyRp8ZvSU
— NRL (@NRL) July 8, 2018
Hornby old boy Fa’amanu Brown made a cameo off the bench for Canterbury – his fourth top-grade appearance of 2018 – and came up with eight tackles and one run in a heart-breaking 32-28 loss to Canberra.
INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP NSW
Halswell junior Matt McIlwrick made his ISP debut for North Sydney following his mid-season switch from Wests Tigers to South Sydney, coming off the bench in a 32-0 defeat to Blacktown Workers.
INTRUST SUPER CUP QLD
Jordan Riki’s rapid rise continued when he made his ISC debut off the bench in Norths Devils’ 28-24 win over Burleigh Bears on Saturday. Riki starred in the Devils’ run to the Mal Meninga Cup (Under-18s) final earlier this year before playing a handful of games in the Under-20s, but is now only one step away from the NRL.
Norths are a feeder club for the Brisbane Broncos, who have already blooded boom teenagers Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs and David Fifita – Riki’s Mal Meninga Cup final opponent – so far this season.
Young gun Riki debuts as Devils beat Bears. Way ato go nef, so proud of u #jordanriki https://t.co/Sm7Er936TK via @IntrustSuperCup
— Tamara Bell (@mrs_tbell) July 8, 2018
Sheldon Pitama came off the bench as Redcliffe Dolphins maintained a share of the competition lead with a 28-20 win over defending champs PNG Hunters.
JERSEY FLEGG (NSW U20s)
Cruz Topai-Aveai returned to Jersey Flegg action for Cronulla, starting in the front-row in a 24-18 loss to Newcastle.
Daniel Sakisi moved into the starting second-row in a late change for Canterbury, but it was a forgettable afternoon for the Bulldogs Under-20s as they went down 32-10 to Mounties.
HASTINGS DEERING COLTS (QLD U20s)
Jalen Tangiiti-Turner featured on the wing as Wynnum Manly Seagulls went down 38-12 to Tweed Heads Seagulls.
Photo Credit: QRL