RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.13

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 9 and the weekend’s Super League action from the UK.

Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!

NRL

West Coaster and former Halswell Hornets junior player Griffin Neame featured off the bench in another North Queensland win, making seven runs for 71 metres and 28 tackles in 31 minutes of a 28-12 victory over Canterbury.

Aranui Eagles product Jamayne Isaako’s stellar tryscoring run continued in the Dolphins’ 28-10 win over Melbourne, crossing for a four-pointer in the first half and adding four goals. He has racked up six tries and 84 points this season.

Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong earned bragging rights over fellow second-rower and Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki courtesy of Sydney Roosters’ 38-24 win over Brisbane. Wong notched 14 runs for 107 metres and 29 tackles, while Riki toiled for 10 runs for 88 metres and 34 tackles.

NSW CUP

The Warriors were overwhelmed 43-14 by Parramatta, but Hornby Panthers back-row sensation Bishop Neal still managed to shine.

The 17-year-old had a line-break assist with an offload and scored a superb try soon afterwards. Neal finished with five runs for 64 metres with five tackle-breaks, along with 20 tackles off the bench.

Linwood hooker Makaia Tafua made a game-high 44 tackles, while Papanui forward Jason Salalilo made five runs for 72 metres, had a line-break assist and six tackle-breaks, and reeled off 27 tackles after starting at prop.

Hornby’s Felix Faatili played 32 minutes off the bench in Newtown’s 28-4 loss to Western Suburbs, putting up seven runs for 44 metres and 19 tackles.

Riccarton Knights product K-Ci Newton-Whare started at lock in Melbourne’s 46-20 loss to Newcastle, making four runs for 47 metres and 17 tackles in 30 minutes of game-time.

JERSEY FLEGG CUP

Linwood’s Chelden Hayward featured on the wing and Northern five-eighth Bronson Reuben kicked four goals in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 32-4 defeat of Kaiviti Silktails in Fiji.

Linwood hooker Amasio Tiatia wore the No.9 in the Warriors’ 30-24 loss to Parramatta in Sydney.

Another Keas product, Te Kaio Cranwell, led Newcastle to a 44-22 win over Melbourne from lock, with Halswell junior Xavier Lynch lining up in the second-row. Aranui’s Victory Isaako was on the wing for the Storm.

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

Hornby Panthers junior Riley Smart came off the bench for Sydney Roosters in the Harold Matthews Cup grand final on Saturday, a 22-0 loss to Newcastle at Leichhardt Oval.

Meanwhile, Sydenham Swans front-rower Kenny Lafituanai was named the Warriors’ under-17s Player of the Year this week after playing all eight of the team’s games.

TARSHA GALE CUP

Linwood Keas’ Julliana Kolio has had a tremendous season at halfback for Cronulla in the Tarsha Gale Cup, which concluded with a 20-6 loss to Parramatta in Saturday’s grand final.

QUEENSLAND CUP

Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe veteran Sheldon Pitama played 42 minutes off the bench in the Dolphins’ 20-all draw with Northern Pride.

SUPER LEAGUE

Aranui product Daejarn Asi’s Castleford side was overwhelmed 50-6 by defending Super League champs Hull KR. The five-eighth had eight runs and 16 tackles.

Hornby junior and ex-Canterbury Bulls forward Caius Faatili made 22 tackles and six runs in Wakefield Trinity’s 40-22 loss to Leeds.