Round 8: Broncos v Sharks NRLW preview
Two of the best teams finally meet in the 2024, and only one will be able to add a sixth win to their tally for the season.
Despite trailing 18-4, 36 minutes into their clash against the Knights, the Broncos came back to win 32-24, to mark their fifth in a row for the season, not having lost a match since Round 2.
Scott Prince has named the same starting 13-player side that have been getting the job done, with Tazmin Rapana not being included in the squad despite serving her one-match suspension and now being free to play.
Cronulla fell to their first loss last week, after winning their first six consecutive matches in a row this season and sitting in first place in the ladder. The Roosters defeated the Sharks 40-0, with the Sharks' defence and attack looking to have taken a hit for the match. The Sharks will be looking to get back into the winning circle and keep themselves in top of the ladder position.
The Sharks make only one change to the side that was defeated last week. Nakia Davis-Welsh makes her return to the wing after missing last round, which see's Australian Rugby Seven's Olympian, Dominique du Toit, drop out of the side.
Since the Sharks' inaugural season in 2023 these teams have met once, which saw the Broncos come up on top and win by a margin of four points.
Last meeting: Round 7 2023 - Broncos 32 Sharks 28
Who to watch: Formerly playing for the Dragons and Eels before moving to the Sharks in 2023 and becoming the clubs captain both this season and last, Tiana Penitani is a valuable member of the Cronulla side. This season Penitani has scored five tries whilst making two try assists, seven line breaks and 21 tackle breaks.
Having joined the Broncos after her 2024 Olympic crusade, former Black Fern Stacey Waaka has made her mark on the NRLW scoring five tries in five games, alongside 21 tackle breaks and five line breaks.
MY TIP: Well, this game could really shake up the race for the minor premiership, with the Sharks still two clear of the Roosters and Broncos who are on an equal amount of points. A Sharks win would keep them ahead in the race, but a Broncos win puts them closer in the fight for the minor prem, also depending on the Roosters' Round 8 performance. This match-up is between two of the best clubs of the 2024 season, the Sharks who have won 6/7 and the Broncos who haven't lost in over a month, it really could be either team's game. [Though the author has the utter most faith in their team…] Broncos by 16.
