RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.11
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s and Britain’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
A host of Canterbury products were in action in the latest round of the NSWRL and QRL competitions, as well as NRL Round 7 and the weekend’s Super League action from the UK.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako kicked three goals and made 147 metres on 18 runs in the Dolphins’ heart-breaking 23-22 golden point loss to Penrith.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Kodi Nikorima had 11 runs, a line-break assist and 20 tackles for the Dolphins, but he was also sin-binned and will cop a two-match ban for a hip drop tackle.
Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki put together another big 80-minute performance in Brisbane Broncos’ 21-20 eclipse of Wests Tigers, racking 45 tackles and 10 runs for 97 metres.
Another Chevaliers junior, Siua Wong, scored the opening try in Sydney Roosters’ 38-24 defeat of Newcastle. The second-rower also played every minute and finished with 16 runs for 139 metres and 33 tackles.
West Coast product and ex-Halswell junior player Griffin Neame played 33 minutes off the bench in North Queensland’s 38-6 loss to Manly, making eight runs for 84 metres and 22 tackles.
NSW CUP
Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua and Hornby second-row sensation Bishop Neal both scored tries in the Warriors’ 38-22 win over Manly. Tafua also notched 37 tackles and 75 run metres, while 17-year-old Neal made two line-breaks, had a try assist, and made six runs for 105 metres and 20 tackles off the bench.
Papanui junior Jason Salalilo also featured from the Warriors’ interchange, contributing 10 runs for 114 metres and 22 tackles. Another Tigers product, Ezekiel Paulo, played in the second-row for the Sea Eagles, making six runs and 22 tackles.
Riccarton Knights prop K-Ci Newton-Whare came off the bench for Melbourne in a 48-12 loss to Canberra, making four hit-ups and 21 tackles.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Keas junior Amasio Tiatia came off the bench for the Warriors in a 30-6 defeat of Manly.
Northern Bulldogs and Papanui Tigers junior Jamayne Feast was at five-eighth in South Sydney’s 44-16 loss to St George Illawarra.
Hornby second-rower Sosaia Alatini scored a try, Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben kicked seven goals and Linwood’s Chelden Hayward started on the wing in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 42-24 defeat of Parramatta.
Hornby centre Jackson Stewart scored the opening try, but his Sydney Roosters side went down 48-10 to a Newcastle side captained by Linwood prop Te Kaio Cranwell and featuring Halswell’s Xavier Lynch in the second-row.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
Sydenham Swans prop Seu Fidow featured in Sydney Roosters’ 22-14 win over Penrith, which propelled them into next weekend’s preliminary final.
TARSHA GALE CUP
Linwood prop Olive Connolly lined up in Penrith’s season-ending 28-16 loss to Sydney Roosters’ Indigenous Academy in week two of the finals.
NRLQ SERIES
Halswell Hornets’ Meihana Pauling lined up at fullback for Gold Coast Titans and kicked a goal in a 24-22 win over North Queensland Cowboys in the third round of the NRLQ series, the QRL’s under-20s competition for the four Queensland-based NRL clubs.
SUPER LEAGUE
Hornby Panthers product and ex-Canterbury Bulls forward Caius Faatili made 28 tackles and eight runs for 58 metres off the bench in Wakefield Trinity’s 52-12 thrashing of Bradford.
