Round 2: Undefeated starts on the line in the Nation's Capital
The second round of NRLW gets underway on Saturday afternoon in the Nation's capital as the Canberra Raiders take on the Newcastle Knights as both sides look to keep their undefeated start to the competition going.
Starting the season with a big win, the Raiders put the torch to the Wests Tigers last weekend with a 32-12 win at Campbelltown Stadium. The Green Machine started the game on fire as they were able to open a 24-0 lead after around just twenty minutes which showed their early dominance and why they were able to dominate.
The concern for the Raiders would be that after their quick start they only managed the one four pointer past the twenty minute mark but that could easily be put down to the very windy conditions that were in Campbelltown on Sunday afternoon.
Forced into one change, the Raiders have lost winger Alanna Dummett who failed a HIA last week and is under the concussion protocols. The loss of Dummett has been softened for the Raiders with experience coming into the side with representative winger Shakiah Tungai slotting on the wing in the only change.
Two-time defending champions, the Newcastle Knights had to do it the tough way and only just scraped home picking up a 12-10 win over the Sydney Roosters and only survived golden point with a conversion from close range being shanked.
The Novocastrians were under pressure for most of the contest as the Roosters had the better of field position and attacking chances early but were defensively sound before being able to put their own points on the board the second time round after being denied after their first. They weren't able to put the game away and their late defence conceding will be a concern given how much ball the Roosters had.
Two changes have been made by the Knights with youngster Lilly-Ann White named to make her debut on the wing whilst Isabella Waterman drops to the bench. The other change has seen impressive Rugby convert and debutant last week Grace Kukutai not named in the side at all.
Last meeting: Round 7 2023 - Raiders 12 Knights 20
Raiders fullback Apii Nicholls has been a star of the women's game in a long time and coming up against arguably the best player in the NRLW, Canberra will need her to star. Nicholls can be an attacking weapon and will need to be setting up the defensive line to neutralise the attack of Newcastle.
The focus on the Knights attack is on the likes of Upton and Southwell but Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche has to play a big part of the attack. The English international is going to need to play a big part of the Knights attacking play if they want to break through the Raiders defence.
The favourite: The Knights are the favourites.
The Knights should have enough for the Raiders in this one. The Raiders won't again be easy beats but there is just that extra little fact in the side that should get them home. Knights by 10.
