Round 6: Roosters v Raiders NRLW preview
Last start losers looking to get back on their feet at Allianz.
The Sydney Roosters stumbled in their quest for their second NRLW title last week with a 20-point loss to a high-flying Gold Coast on a warm afternoon at Cbus Super Stadium. While they remain in the top four by virtue of the closeness of the competition this season, they will need a victory here to ensure they're playing well into September after that hiccup.
The Raiders.. well.. it's been a season to forget. Their Round 5 loss to the Cowboys drove a nail into their hopes of finals action this season, with the Green Machine sitting four points behind the main pack and there being just four rounds left to play. Their slow start - going down 18-6 in the first half before fighting back to lose 28-18 - was emblematic of their season so far, being close, but not close enough.
Looking at the teamsheets, the Roosters have been forced to call in the reinforcements with Jayme Fressard out suspended. Taina Naividi moves to the wing, Davison comes into the starting side at lock. Mya Hill-Moana is also out (head knock) with Otesa Pule starting at prop. Samantha Economos and Eliza Lopamaua fill the remaining interchange vacancies.
Canberra welcome back Monalisa Soliola, Ash Quinlan and Shakiah Tungai in a much needed boost. Naitokatoka and Matua shift to the bench with Dummett out of the 17, while Relna Wuruki-Hosea out through suspension.
Last meeting: Round 2 2023 - Raiders 24 Roosters 14
Who to watch: Sunday night's pair of fullbacks have been mainstays of the NRLW competition since its 2018 launch, and its their experience and skill on which both teams will rely.
Sam Bremner's career has been a whirlwind - after a storied pre-NRLW career which saw her win two World Cups with the Jillaroos, she captained the Dragons in their first season, sitting out 2019 for the birth of her first child before returning 2020. She moved to the Tricolours in 2022 and subsequently retired - before coming out of retirement ahead of the 2024 season. Her experience over many years will prove crucial as the Roosters push to secure their spot in the semi finals.
Apii Nicholls-Pualau is at her third NRLW club and shows no signs of slowing at age 31. The Raiders' fullback started her NRLW journey at the Warriors less than a year after being part of the Kiwi Ferns' World Cup campaign in 2017. Skipping over to rugby union at various points of her career, Nicholls-Pualau retured to rugby league at the start of the 2022 season, linking up with the Titans where she played five games, before switching to the Raiders in 2023. While the Green Machine hasn't been as successful so far this season, it's still in her power to break the game open and given the Raiders very narrow finals hopes a breath of fresh air.
MY TIP: Form and quality across the park has the Roosters clearly favourite to win this game in my book. The Raiders will perform well in fits and spurts, but it's the Tricolours' to lose. Sydney by 12.
