RED AND BLACK REPORT 2026: EDITION NO.25
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 and QRL’s competitions, as well as the NRL’s Round 21, the fourth 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
Burnham Chevaliers junior Siua Wong put in another 80-minute shift as Sydney Roosters edged out Newcastle, racking up 111 metres on 13 runs and making 44 tackles in the second-row.
Halswell Hornets prop Tanner Stowers-Smith delivered a typically industrious performance in the Warriors’ disappointing 18-6 loss to Canterbury, contributing 11 runs for 91 metres and 24 tackles (no misses) in 38 minutes off the bench.
Hornby Panthers product Jordan Riki worked hard in Brisbane’s second-row in an 18-10 loss to North Queensland, playing the full 80 minutes and complementing 12 runs for 107 metres with 41 tackles.
West Coaster and ex-Hornets junior player Griffin Neame was superb at prop for the Cowboys with 10 runs for 103 metres and 26 tackles, but he will miss this week’s match on a high tackle suspension.
NRLW
Papanui Tigers back-row workhorse Jaydika Tafua played 23 minute off the bench as Cronulla opened its 2026 account with a 22-10 win over Canberra. The tyro made four runs for 36 metres and 17 tackles.
Sydenham Swans’ Martha Mataele was a powerhouse on the wing in Parramatta’s unlucky 14-12 loss to the Warriors, making 12 runs for 115 metres – including an incredible 11 tackle-breaks.
NSW CUP
Linwood Keas hooker Amasio Tiatia (29 tackles) helped the Warriors to a convincing 38-16 victory over a Canterbury-Bankstown side that included Hornby Panthers centre Sosaia Alatini (11 runs for 105 metres).
Riccarton Knights prop K-Ci Newtown-Whare scored the opening try of the match as Melbourne went down 26-22 to South Sydney.
Hornby Panthers front-rower Felix Faatili played 32 minutes off the bench in Newtown’s 52-6 demolition of Manly, charging for 109 metres on seven carries.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Sydenham Swans’ Isabella Waterman lined up at centre for Mounties in a 10-8 win over South Sydney.
Hornby Panthers’ Manisha Seebeck was on the win for Central Coast Roosters in a 24-8 loss to Newcastle.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
Linwood Keas winger Chelden Hayward – who has earned a NSW Cup call-up this week – scored the opening try and Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben grabbed a double and kicked six goals for a 20-point haul in Canterbury-Bankstown’s 56-10 rout of the Warriors.
Papanui Tigers’ Sione Telefoni came off the bench for the Warriors.
Hornby Panthers’ Jackson Stewart featured at fullback in Sydney Roosters’ 46-28 defeat of Newcastle.
Aranui Eagles junior Victory Isaako scored a try and kicked three conversions in Melbourne’s 44-22 loss to South Sydney, while Hornby Panthers’ Isaiah Savea came off the bench for the Storm.
QUEENSLAND CUP
Northern Bulldogs product and Redcliffe veteran Shelton Pitama played 49 minutes at lock in the Dolphins’ 34-12 loss to Mackay Cutters, making seven runs and 36 tackles.
West Coast’s Antonio Verhoeven, an Eastern Eagles junior player, had a day out in Wynnum Manly’s 58-8 thrashing of Tweed – making two line-breaks and producing three try assists, along with 13 runs for 160 metres.
SUPER LEAGUE
Wakefield Trinity thumped Castleford 52-14 to maintain its Super League charge, with Hornby Panthers’ Caius Faatili scoring a try off the bench and racking up nine runs for 92 metres and 18 tackles, and Burnham Chevaliers’ Jazz Tevaga making 10 runs for 66 metres and 20 tackles at lock.
Aranui Eagles’ Daejarn Asi lined up at five-eighth for the Tigers and contributed a try assist, along with 11 runs for 63 metres and 13 tackles.
