Wests Tigers v Broncos NRLW preview

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Wests Tigers (W) v Brisbane Broncos (W) Sunday 1:45pm at Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

Brisbane travel down to Leichhardt chasing their third straight win of the season, whilst the Tigers are still trying to find their first win of the year. 

The home side have had a rough start to the season, sitting in last place and not having recorded a win yet. Although, last week they came the closest to winning all season, a conversion being the only difference between them and the Eels. 

The Tigers make a few changes to the side that was defeated last week, with two more players set to make their NRLW debuts. Montana Clifford makes her debut, playing in the second row where she replaces Shaianne McGlone. Tiana-Lee Thorne also makes her debut, after being on a developmental contract in 2023, and is playing on the wing in place of Tess Staines. Ebony Prior also joins the bench after spending a Round 2-4 on the sidelines due to a calf injury. 

The Broncos had a slow start to the season, losing their first two matches, but they have now turned it around, after convincingly beating the Titans in Round 3 and then followed by a nail-biting clash against the Raiders last week, with Stacey Waaka scoring the match winning try in the final minutes. 

Scott Prince makes minimal changes to his side, with Brianna Clark's return to prop after a two-match suspension sees Keilee Joseph move to lock and Jasmine Fogavini drop out of the side. 

These two sides met once in the Tigers inaugural 2023 season which saw the Broncos come out on top, 22-18.  

Last meeting: Round 8 2023 - Wests Tigers 18 Broncos 22

Who to watch: Captaining the Tigers both in their inaugural year as well as this year, fullback Botille Vette-Welsh is a core senior play in the side. She scored the club's first try of the year against the Raiders, whilst having eleven tackle breaks and two-line breaks so far this season. 

Making the code switch from rugby union to rugby league after the Paris Olympics and joining the Broncos in Round 3, Stacey Waaka is indeed the golden girl. Excellent under the high ball, Waaka scored two tries last week in just her second NRLW match, one of which decided the game for the Broncos. 

MY TIP: Brisbane are on a role and only hungry for more, looking to better their defensive record and continue to climb up the ladder. The Tigers are desperate for a win, and the tides are close to turning after almost getting a win last week, but I don't think they will be able to stop the efforts of the Broncos. Broncos by 18.

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Rebecca Pollard 3. Rikeya Horne 4. Leianne Tufuga 5. Tiana-Lee Thorne 6. Pauline Piliae 7. Losana Lutu 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Salma Nour 10. Christian Pio 11. Brooke Talataina 12. Montana Clifford 13. Najvada George 14. Sophie Curtain 15. Tara Reinke 16. Natasha Penitani 17. Ebony Prior 18. Shaianne McGlone

1. Hayley Maddick 2. Julia Robinson 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Shenae Ciesiolka 5. Stacey Waaka 6. Gayle Broughton 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Brianna Clark 9. Jada Ferguson 10. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 11. Tazmin Rapana 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Destiny Brill 15. Tafito Lafaele 16. Lavinia Gould 17. Lauren Dam 18. Skyla Adams

Referees: Daniel Luttringer; Sideline Officials: Karra-Lee Nolan, Luke Saldern; Video Referees: Chris Butler;