RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.23
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’s competitions, as well as the NRL’s Round 19, the second round of the NRLW and the latest round of matches from the Super League in the UK.
Have we missed anyone? Email will@crfl.co.nz to let us know!
NRL
Halswell Hornets product Tanner Stowers-Smith relished another opportunity to start in the Warriors’ front-row, making 14 runs for 132 metres and 29 tackles in their 32-6 victory over Wests Tigers.
It was a tough Saturday afternoon for the Dolphins – thrashed 66-0 by Cronulla – with Aranui Eagles junior Jamayne Isaako’s streak of scoring points in every one of their games since the club’s 2023 inception coming to an end.
The winger did nevertheless make a line-break among 16 runs for 166 metres. Burnham Chevaliers junior and Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima made 26 tackles.
Another Chevaliers junior, Siua Wong, produced another industrious 80-minute effort in Sydney Roosters’ second-row, toiling for 29 tackles and 20 runs for 156 metres in a 28-12 defeat of Parramatta.
West Coast product and former Hornets junior player Griffin Neame played 36 minutes off the bench in North Queensland’s 19-18 golden point win over Manly, racking up nine runs and 27 tackles.
NRLW
Papanui Tigers product Jaydika Tafua stormed over for her maiden NRLW try in Cronulla’s 22-16 loss to defending premier Brisbane, along with making four runs and 16 tackles in 33 minutes off the bench.
Sydenham Swans’ Martha Mataele was a workhorse on the wing in Parramatta’s 22-8 loss to St George Illawarra, churning through 121 metres on 12 runs with four tackle-breaks.
NSW CUP
Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua produced a try assist and topped the Warriors’ tackle count with 34 in a 44-20 victory over Western Suburbs on Saturday.
Papanui Tigers forward Jason Salalilo had a brief stint off the bench for the Warriors.
Ex-Halswell Hornet Oliver Lawry featured at centre in South Sydney’s 24-16 loss to Newcastle, making 11 runs for 78 metres and 18 tackles.
Hornby Panthers junior and Canterbury-Bankstown centre Sosaia Alataini had 10 runs for 104 metres and 15 tackles in a 26-all draw with Canberra.
Riccarton Knights prop K-Ci Newton-Whare chewed through 11 runs for 90 metres and 23 tackles in Melbourne’s 20-18 eclipse of Newtown. Hornby Panthers product Felix Faatili came off the Jets’ bench and delivered a hearty display, making 14 runs for 140 metres and 21 tackles.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Hornby Panthers’ Manisha Seebeck played on the wing in Central Coast Roosters’ 14-all draw with Cronulla.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Linwood Keas hooker Amasio Tiatia featured in the No.9 as the Warriors thumped Wests Tigers 40-6.
Another Keas product, Te Kaio Cranwell, led Newcastle from lock in a 28-16 loss to South Sydney.
An unused reserve in NSW Cup after playing the past two weeks in that grade, Hornby Panthers’ Jackson Stewart returned to Sydney Roosters’ under-21s line-up at fullback and scored a try in a 32-16 defeat of Parramatta.
Aranui Eagles winger Victory Isaako scored a try and kicked two conversions in Melbourne’s 36-12 loss to Cronulla.
SUPER LEAGUE
Aranui Eagles product and ex-NRL utility back Daejarn Asi delivered a try assist along with making nine runs for 53 metres at halfback in Castleford’s 24-18 loss to Leigh.
Hornby Panthers junior and former Canterbury Bulls wrecking ball Caius Faatili starred in high-flying Wakefield Trinity’s 20-6 win over defending champs Hull KR, scoring two tries off the bench along with making 14 runs for 96 metres and 18 tackles.
Burnham Chevaliers junior Jazz Tevaga was also prominent for the Wildcats at lock, reeling off 24 tackles and 15 runs for 119 metres.
