Match Centre

Round 1: NRLW Roosters v Warriors preview

History made as first NRLW contest kicks off this Saturday.

After much talk, the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership gets underway this Saturday with the Roosters and Warriors setting the first season into action.

And neither side has cut corners on its lineup either. Both sides are jam-packed with international talent, Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns reps taking up a large quotient of the players on the park this weekend.

The season will also act as a farewell tour for some renowned players - namely Roosters five-eighth Lavina O'Mealey. If the Roosters can harness that emotion, together with the class and skill of players like Maddie Studdon, Simaima Taufa, Elianna Walton & Vanessa Foliaki (to name just a few), they'll go far in this comp.

The Warriors credentials speak for themselves, with plenty of current and former internationals across the park.

Who to watch: The five-eighths and halves will have plenty of say in this one, with Studdon and O'Mealey pitted against Laura Mariu and Georgia Hale. With some of the rule alterations in play for this competition, how each pairing manages the game on the back of those will be key to first-up victory in this competition.

Match notes: All seven matches of the opening season will be broadcast on Channel Nine, Fox League and via the NRL Live Pass. Roosters NRLW members can access this game as a benefit of their membership, with plenty of time after the match is complete to head across town at watch the NRL Final at Allianz later the same evening.

My tip: With the bulk of the rep talent in their lineup and some strong pre-season trials under their belt, I'm backing the Warriors.