Brisbane Broncos (W) v North Queensland Cowboys (W)
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Broncos v Cowboys NRLW preview
The Broncos are back to home, set to on the Cowboys for the second QLD Derby for the 2024 season.
After a rough start to the season, Brisbane have finally got the ball rolling, winning their past three games, including putting 44 points on both the Titans in Round 3 and the Tigers in Round 5, where they now sit comfortably in 2nd position.
Scott Prince has named the same starting 13-player side that took the field last week against the Tigers, with the only change in the squad being the return of Neta Nu'uausala to the top 17, with Lauren Dam dropping to 18th player.
The Cowboys are having an up and down season but have managed to string two back-to-back wins in a row, beating the Titans by one point in Round 4 and then defeating the Raiders 28-18 last week. The side now sit in 7th position, equal with six other teams, all with three wins each.
After switching from wing to fullback, Krystal Blackwell retains the fullback position, with Vitalina Naikore also remaining on the wing. The only forced team change is Shaniah Power joining the interchange bench, with Makenzie Weale sidelined due to concussion.
These two sides met once in the Cowboys inaugural 2023 season which saw the Broncos come out on top, 40-12.
Last meeting: Round 3 2023 - Cowboys 12 Broncos 40
Who to watch: Already scoring five tries in five games, Julia Robinson is a speedy winger, who cannot be stopped once she is off and away with the ball. Since joining the Broncos in their inaugural season in 2018, Robinson has now represented both Australia and QLD, and had her best season yet in 2023 with a total of five tries and 23 tackle breaks (which she is set to break this year it seems).
Joining the Cowboys this year, centre Jakiya Whitfeld has been a force to impress so far, scoring three tries and making 32 tackle breaks and three line breaks, sees her leading the Cowboys for both tries and tackle breaks. This comes after playing her first season of rugby league with the NRLW in 2022, previously playing for Australia for the Rugby 7s.
MY TIP: "Little sister" versus "big sister" yet again, and I think the Broncos will be adding another win to their tally this week. Despite their improvement over the last few weeks, I just don't think the Cowboys are up on par with the Broncos, and just won't be able to compete both defensively and offensively for the entire 70 minutes. Broncos by 20.
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. Annetta Nuuausala 18. Lauren Dam
1. Krystal Blackwell 23. Lavinia Tauhalaliku 3. Jakiya Whitfeld 4. Jasmine Peters 18. Francesca Goldthorp 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 15. Lily Peacock 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. Harata Butler 11. China Polata 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. Bree Chester 8. Tallisha Harden 14. Jetaya Faifua 16. Sareka Mooka 17. Shaniah Power 2. Vitalina Naikore
Referees: Daniel Schwass; Sideline Officials: Rochelle Tamarua, Izzy Davidson; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;