RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.11

April 16, 2024 / Will Evans

RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.11

April 16, 2024 / Will Evans

The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.

Canterbury products were in action in the sixth round of the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21s) and the first week of the SG Ball (under-19s), Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s) and Tarsha Gale Cup (women’s under-18s) final series, the ninth round of the QRL Mal Meninga Cup (under-18s), the second-tier NSW Cup and Queensland Cup competitions, and NRL Round 6.

 

NRL

Playing his first NRL game since the penultimate round of 2023, Aranui Eagles junior Daejarn Asi was crucial to Parramatta Eels’ pressure-relieving 27-20 victory over North Queensland Cowboys.

The five-eighth scored an important try with less than 20 minutes remaining and slotted the match-sealing field goal in the latter stages.

West Coast Kiwi and one-time Halswell Hornet junior Griffin Neame made 20 tackles and seven runs for 60 metres off the Cowboys’ bench.

The Dolphins faded in the second half in a 28-14 derby loss to Brisbane Broncos on Friday night, but Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako produced a late highlight with a sizzling solo try – along with 135 metres from 10 runs for the match.

Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima was retrenched to fullback after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow broke down with injury 20 minutes in and had two line-break assists and a try assist. Nikorima suffered a calf injury in the latter stages.

On the other side of the fence, Hornby Panthers’ Jordan Riki had one of his best games of the season for the Broncos, contributing 10 runs for 111 metres, a try assist and 35 tackles.

Fellow Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga experienced an eventful rollercoaster in nine minutes on the park in the Warriors’ 22-all draw with Manly Sea Eagles.

Coming off the bench midway through the first half, Tevaga steamed over for his team’s first try but was helped off with a hamstring injury soon afterwards. The rugged middle forward is expected to be sidelined for several matches.

 

NSW CUP

Burnham junior Siua Wong continues to rack up massive numbers for Sydney Roosters’ NSW Cup side as he pursues an NRL recall, reeling off 38 tackles and a team-high 178 metres from 21 runs in a 30-26 loss to Newcastle Knights.

Halswell Hornets product Tanner Stowers-Smith played 44 minutes in the front-row as the Warriors went down to Blacktown Workers 24-18, making 22 tackles and five runs for 42 metres.

NSW CUP ROOSTERS V KNIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

NSW CUP WARRIORS V SEA EAGLES HIGHLIGHTS

 

QLD CUP

Again featuring in the second-row, Redcliffe veteran and Northern Bulldogs product Sheldon Pitama made six runs for 53 metres and 29 tackles as the Dolphins accounted for Northern Pride 30-22.

Former Hornby Panthers and Canterbury Bulls game-breaker Caius Faatili continues to make an impression of Sunshine Coast Falcons’ bench, scoring a try, recording three tackle-breaks and chewing off 116 metres from eight runs in a 48-12 rout of Souths Logan Magpies.

 

JERSEY FLEGG

Linwood’s Makaia Tafua, who earned a NSW Cup debut for the Warriors in 2023, was promoted to their starting Jersey Flegg side at hooker and scored the last try in a 20-16 defeat to Manly.

Papanui product Jason Salalilo was an interchange for the Warriors after starring for their SG Ball side previously this season, while Halswell junior Oliver Lawry was in the centres for the Sea Eagles.

Manly’s Oliver Lawry is flanked by fellow Canterbury products and Warriors duo Jason Salalilo (left) and Makai Tafua (right)

Hornby’s Felix Faatili came off the bench for Cronulla in a 20-all draw with South Sydney.

Riccarton prop K-Ci Newton Whare was a tryscorer off the bench in Melbourne’s 24-12 victory over Parramatta.

West Coaster Callum Donaldson, who spent time in Halswell’s juniors, was Canterbury-Bankstown’s starting lock in a 38-12 drubbing of Canberra.

WATCH JERSEY FLEGG CUP ROUND 6 HIGHLIGHTS HERE

 

SG BALL CUP

Hornby second-rower Sosaia Alatini has been a tryscoring machine for Canterbury-Bankstown’s SG Ball team this season and dotted down yet again as the Bulldogs thrashed Parramatta Eels 42-10 in Sunday’s elimination final.

Linwood CRL premiership winner Te Kaio Cranwell came off the bench in Newcastle Knights’ similarly emphatic 44-16 elimination win.

The Bulldogs face the table-topping Sydney Roosters at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon and the Knights head to Leichhardt Oval to take on St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday night with grand final spots on the line.

WATCH SG BALL CUP FINALS HIGHLIGHTS HERE

 

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

Linwood’s Lennox Tuiloma started at lock and Hornby’s Isaiah Savea came off the bench in the Warriors’ monumental 30-20 elimination final win over Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval.

The Warriors will head back across the Tasman on Saturday to take on top-placed defending champions Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who are coached by former Halswell stalwart Shannon Rushworth, at Henson Park for a spot in the grand final.

WATCH HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP FINALS HIGHLIGHTS HERE

 

TARSHA GALE CUP

Papanui second-rower Jaydika Tafua has played in every game of Cronulla’s 2024 campaign and was in the pack again as the Sharks stayed alive with a 24-6 elimination final win over the Roosters.

The Sharks take on Illawarra Steelers at Leichhardt Oval this Saturday for a place in the Tarsha Gale Cup decider.

WATCH TARSHA GALE CUP FINALS HIGHLIGHTS HERE

 

MAL MENINGA CUP

Linwood’s and St Thomas’ Eli Bijl-Kakoi debuted at five-eighth for Norths Devils’ Mal Meninga Cup side, kicking four goals in a convincing 36-8 victory over Central Queensland Capras.

2024-04-16 16_04_06-ManlyWarriorsFlegg.jpg ‎- Photos
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