RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.30
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 latest rounds of the NRL, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup (NSWRL under-21s) and NSW Women’s Premiership.
NRL
Former Hornby player and Super Rugby star Solomon Alaimalo enjoyed his maiden NRL victory in his ninth appearance, featuring on the wing in Wests Tigers 34-26 upset of Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday.
The rangy flyer made eight runs for 69 metres, two tackle-breaks and five tackles without a miss.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga was moved into the starting pack for his last home appearance for the Warriors.
Usually a bench weapon, Tevaga churned through 39 tackles and 11 runs for 98 metres in 60 minutes at prop as the Warriors went down 34-18 to Canterbury Bulldogs.
Aranui Eagles product Daejarn Asi was impressive in Parramatta Eels’ spirited 30-24 loss to Brisbane Broncos. The halfback had 11 runs for 73 metres, a line-break assist, a try assist from a kick and 341 kicking metres in his 41st NRL appearance.
Hornby Panthers junior Jordan Riki played the full 80 minutes for the victorious Broncos, racking up 31 tackles and making six runs.
Match Highlights 🎥 – #NRLBroncosEels
The Brisbane Broncos fought back from a 16-0 deficit to post a 30-24 win against Parramatta and in the process, keep their faint finals hopes alive. pic.twitter.com/29y4m13NNc
— NRL (@NRL) August 23, 2024
It was a tough night out in Melbourne for the Dolphins as they went down 48-6 to the Storm, not aided by Chevaliers junior and in-form five-eighth Kodi Nikorima succumbing to injury after 21 minutes.
Aranui Eagles’ Jamayne Isaako had an uncustomarily low 85 metres from nine runs and slotted his only attempt at goal to close to within three points of NRL leader Valentine Holmes’ 208.
NSW CUP
Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua topped the Warriors’ tackle count with 30 in a resounding 42-10 win over Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday night, as well as recording a line-break and a line-break assist to go with 67 metres from four runs.
Halswell front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith was also in the starting side for the finals-bound Warriors, notching 107 metres and 20 tackles in a strong 42-minute display.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong went back to NSW Cup after featuring in first grade for Sydney Roosters a week earlier and put in a massive shift in a 24-20 win over North Sydney Bears.
Starting at prop, Wong toiled for 23 tackles and 143 metres on 13 runs.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Hornby Panthers product and former Canterbury Bulls star Caius Faatili started at prop as Sunshine Coast Falcons swamped Norths Devils 42-16 to clinch fourth spot on the ladder.
The powerhouse made 11 runs for 114 metres and 15 tackles in 48 minutes.
Versatile Northern Bulldogs junior Sheldon Pitama moved to lock for Redcliffe Dolphins’ 46-28 victory over Mackay Cutters, getting through 92 metres and 17 tackles as his side landed in third.
The Dolphins face the second-placed Devils and the Falcons take on the table-topping Northern Pride in this week’s qualifying finals.
Linwood Keas and Canterbury Bulls playmaker Etelani Pouli was a standout in his third start at halfback, despite Western Clydesdales’ 46-12 loss to PNG Hunters in Port Moresby.
Pouli chalked up 130 metres from 18 runs and 16 tackles.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
West Coast junior and Halswell Hornets player Callum Donaldson was at lock for Canterbury Bulldogs’ 32-16 defeat to the Warriors.
Felix Faatili got amongst the tries after starting at prop in Cronulla’s 54-10 demolition of St George Illawarra, while fellow Hornby Panthers junior Richie Tupuailei came off the bench.
Versatile Halswell Hornets junior Oliver Lawry again lined up in the centres for Manly Sea Eagles as they went down in a 23-22 heartbreaker to Wests Tigers.
Linwood Keas premiership winner Te Kaio Cranwell came off the interchange in Newcastle Knights’ 22-14 victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Riccarton Knights product and Melbourne Storm pack mainstay K-Ci Newtown-Whare contributed from the bench in a 24-22 loss to Sydney.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Sydenham Swans’ Isabella Waterman, who made her NRLW debut for Newcastle last month, featured in the centres for the Knights for the second week in a row as they overwhelmed Parramatta Eels 22-12.
Canterbury rep and Woolston Rams halfback Cassie Siataga booted two goals in ladder-leading Wentworthville Magpies’ 20-4 defeat of Mounties.
Papanui Tigers junior Jaydika Tafua featured in the second-row as Cronulla Sharks were humbled by South Sydney Rabbitohs 34-6.
