Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons
Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos
Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters
North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders
Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels2024 review: Sydney Roosters
44 mins ago | AJ Lucantonio
NRLW TEAMS and PREVIEWS - 2023 Round 8
It's Teamlist Tuesday - get all the NRLW teamlists and officials here from 4pm Tuesday, with updated squads and late mail across the round, PLUS previews of each game approaching game day.
- Tuesday afternoon: match official appointments
- Tuesday 4pm: squad lists released for all clubs
- 24 hours from kickoff: squad update (squads reduced to 19 players)
- One hour from kickoff: final lineups (17 players plus one reserve)
All times are listed in AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT). Variations on kickoffs in other time zones are shown where appropriate.
All matches are broadcast on the Nine Network and Fox Sports (check guides for channels) and streamed on 9Now and Kayo Sports.
Click here for teamlists across all grades including NRL, NSWRL, QRL and squads from the UK.
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1. Jada Taylor 2. Georgia Ravics 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Cassie Staples 6. Emma Tonegato 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 16. Brooke Anderson 10. Tegan Dymock 11. Talei Holmes 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Holli Wheeler 9. Quincy Dodd 14. Sereana Naitokatoka 15. Harata Butler 17. Chloe Saunders 18. Maddie Studdon
Out: Kiana Takairangi (wing)
In: Annessa Biddle (centre)
Changes: Cassie Staples (centre to wing)
Squad Update: 20. Kiana Takairangi, 21. Jazmon Tupou Witchman and 22. Fiona Jahnke omitted.
Late Mail: Anderson starts for Dodd. Hansi is omitted and Studdon is 18th woman.
1. Teagan Berry 21. Cortez Te Pau 3. Shenai Lendill 24. Sarah Riorden 5. Margot Vella 6. Tyla Nathan-Wong 7. Raecene Mcgregor 12. Roxy Murdoch 9. Renee Targett 10. Tara McGrath-West 11. Madison Mulhall 4. Ella Koster 19. Sophie Clancy 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Zali Hopkins 16. Jamilee Bright 18. Maddison Weatherall 22. Ellie Williamson
Out: Cheynoah Amone (centre), Maddison Weatherall (bench)
In: Macie Carlile (bench), Sarah Riordan (bench)
Changes: Roxette Murdoch-Masila (front row to second row), Ella Koster (second row to centre), Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa (bench to front row)
Squad Update: 2. Taylor Mapusua, 13. Alexis Tauaneai and 20. Kaarla Cowan omitted. Mass changes here with Tauaneai out after injuring her knee in an awful tackle last week replaced by Clancy. Mapusua is out replaced by Te Pou. Riordan goes to centre with Koster going to back-row. Katoa goes to the bench with Murdoch going to prop. Carlile reverts to 18th woman with Weatherall going back to the bench.
Late Mail: 22. Ellie Williamson omitted. No further changes to the changes announced yesterday. Carlile is 18th woman.
Referees: Wyatt Raymond;Sideline Officials: Mitchell Currie, Karra-Lee Nolan;Video Referees: Liam Kennedy;
Match Preview
with Lachlan McIntyre
Southern rivalry reignites with Sharks hosting Dragons
Quickly we have arrived at the crunch end of the NRLW season, and so the pressure is on for the clubs to deliver results over the final two weeks of the regular rounds. The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons are set to clash this Thursday night in Cronulla to open the round, with the two teams just one spot and two competition points apart on the ladder.
Cronulla-Sutherland are facing an uphill battle to take their campaign past the home-and-away season, sitting four points outside of the finals with just two games to play. To stay alive into round nine, they'd need to win, plus hope that Brisbane and Canberra lose their respective games to lower-ranked teams. The Sharks are coming off their own narrow loss to Brisbane, a game which may leave the club wondering what could've been had they been able to close the four point deficit late.
The home side have a few minor team changes due to Annessa Biddle's return from suspension. Kiana Takaraingi misses out on the 17, with Cassie Staples shifting from the centres to the wing to accommodate Biddle.
Meanwhile, the Dragons are eyeing off that all important fourth spot. Only one victory away from the finals as it stands, wins in both of their remaining games will hand them a more than decent shot at a semi appearance. They'll head into this match full of confidence, having run out 48-16 victors over the North Queensland Cowboys last week. They will want a near replica of that performance this Thursday, not least to assist with their points differential, which may prove crucial.
Alexis Tauaneai has been named at lock for the Dragons despite MCL injury concerns from last weekend. Cheynoah Amone is out due to a head knock, seeing Ella Koster shift out to the centres and Roxy Murdoch taking her starting spot in the second row. Macie Carlile and Sarah Riordan join the bench.
With the Sharks enjoying their debut season in the NRLW, this will be the first meeting between these two clubs at NRLW level.
Players to watch: Cronulla Sharks fullback Jada Taylor is enjoying a breakout first season in the NRLW. After making her debut with the Roosters last season, she has started at fullback in four of her side's games this year, including in both of their victories. Taylor is known for her 110m try scored for NSW U19s at Leichhardt Oval, and as such her name had been hovering around the rugby league psyche for a while before she cracked the top grade. At just 20 years of age, she has a lot of potential to fill over the length of her career.
Opposition fullback Teagan Berry will be wanting to one up Taylor on the weekend. The Dragons star holds a wealth of experience compared with the Sharks number one, even though Berry is only 21. Having made her debut all the way back in 2020, Berry enjoyed a rapid rise from Tarsha Gale Cup, and took over the starting fullback role at the Dragons only this year. Berry is currently atop of the tryscorer list for 2023, with ten tries in just seven appearances, and she'll be looking for opportunities to add to that tally this Thursday.
The favourite: The Dragons are currently the favourites to record a victory.
My tip: With so much to play for, I think the Dragons will get up in front of a hostile away crowd. St George Illawarra by 14.
1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Jakiya Whitfeld 3. Rikeya Horne 4. Leianne Tufuga 5. Tess Staines 6. Pauline Piliae 7. Brooke Talataina 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Ebony Prior 10. Christian Pio 11. Kezie Apps 12. Eliza Siilata 13. Najvada George 14. Sophie Curtain 15. Jae Patu 16. Jessica Kennedy 17. Salma Nour 20. Bianca Bennetts
Out: Rebecca Pollard (centre), Imogen Gobran (front row), Bianca Bennetts (bench), Hope Tevaga (bench)
In: Rikeya Horne (centre), Sarah Togatuki (front row), Kezie Apps (second row), Jae Patu (bench)
Changes: Salma Nour (hooker to bench), Sophie Curtain (second row to bench), Ebony Prior (bench to hooker)
Squad update: 19. Imogen Gobran, 21. Taylor Osborne and 22. Hope Tevaga cut. Bennetts and Pollard remain in reserve.
Late mail: 1-17. Bennetts 18th player, 18. Rebecca Pollard drops out.
1. Hayley Maddick 2. Julia Robinson 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Shenae Ciesiolka 5. Ashleigh Werner 19. Grace Griffin 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Annetta Nuuausala 9. Destiny Brill 10. Brianna Clark 11. Tazmin Gray 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Mariah Denman 14. Jada Ferguson 15. Tafito Lafaele 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 17. Lauren Dam 18. Jasmine Fogavini
Unchanged
Squad update: A blow for the Broncos, with 6. Gayle Broughton out of the team. Griffin comes in at five-eighth, 20. Narikah Orchard is omitted from reserves with Fogavini and Coolwell remaining.
Late mail: Fogavini is 18th player, 21. Keisha-Leigh Coolwell drops out.
Referees: Darian Furner;Sideline Officials: Daniel Luttringer, Luke Saldern;Video Referees: Belinda Sharpe;
Match Preview
with Beth Nicholls
The Wests Tigers are looking to find a glimmer of hope after losing their past five games in a row, where they take on the Broncos for the first time in their inaugural NRLW season.
After losing to the Titans last week, the Tigers have now lost five matches in a row, and with only two games remaining in the regular season, they have now been ruled out of any opportunity to play in the 2023 finals series.
Rikeya Horne and Kezie Apps both return to the side after suffering concussions, along with Sarah Togatuki who served a one-match suspension. Horne replaces Rebecca Pollard in the cntres, whilst the return of Apps forces Bianca Bennetts out of the starting 17, and Sophie Curtain back onto the bench. Imogen Gobran also drops out of the side after filling in for Togatuki last week.
After having a rough start to the season, the Broncos have now won two in a row and are sitting inside the top four, on the hunt to play finals again after missing out in 2022, where they only won one of five games played.
Brisbane have named an unchanged side to who defeated the Sharks last week, with Grace Griffen and Jasmine Fogavini included in the extended team.
Player To Watch: Brisbane veteran halfback and captain, Ali Brigginshaw, has been playing some of her best footy, and has been an integral part of the Broncos side. This season she has scored four of her own tries, as well as assist with four and make three line break assists. She currently leads the competition in points scored, with a total of 60.
Having previously played for Australia in the World Rugby Sevens before joining the Knights in 2022 and then joining the Tigers in 2023, Jakiya Whitfeld is a speedy outside back who plays on the right wing. This year she has scored three tries, where she scored her first ever against try plus a double the Eels in Round 1. Whitfield shares the lead for the club for total line breaks with a total of eight across all seven games so far.
TIP: The Broncos have gotten on a role recently, currently winning two on the trot and have everything to play for. Despite winning the opening two matches the Tigers have struggled to create a cohesive attack, leading them to lose five games on the trot. This game is a perfect opportunity for Brisbane to win and put pressure on the Raiders on the race towards finals. I have total faith in my Broncos girls. Broncos by 16.
1. Tamika Upton 2. Sheridan Gallagher 3. Shanice Parker 4. Abigail Roache 5. Jasmine Strange 6. Georgia Roche 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Laishon Albert-Jones 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Nita Maynard 15. Kayla Romaniuk 16. Tiana Davison 18. Jacinta Carter 22. Felila Kia
Unchanged
Squad Update: 20. Jayde Herdegen, 21. Caitlin Moran and 22. Viena Tinao omitted. Kia and Leati remain in reserve.
Late mail: 19. Tamerah Leati drops out, Kia is 18th player.
1. Corban Baxter 2. Brydie Parker 3. Jayme Fressard 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Mia Wood 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Jocelyn Kelleher 15. Grace Hamilton 9. Keeley Davis 10. Mya Hill-Moana 11. Otesa Pule 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Lily Rogan 16. Pani Hopoate 17. Amelia Pasikala 18. Teuila Fotu-Moala 19. Lexi Kiriwi
Out: Jessica Sergis (centre), Joeli Morris (bench)
In: Jayme Fressard (centre), Lily Rogan (bench)
Squad Update: 20. Joeli Morris, 21. Tyler Bentley and 22. Jessica Sergis omitted, Fotu-Moala and Kiriwi remain.
Late mail: 8. Millie Boyle is out. Hamilton comes in at prop, Fotu-Moala joins the bench and Kiriwi is 18th player.
Referees: Kasey Badger;Sideline Officials: Billy Greatbach, Clayton Wills;Video Referees: Matt Noyen;
Match Preview
with Kelly Hollis
This round sees the top two NRLW teams going head to head, but only one can come out on top.
During their Round 7 match against the Parramatta Eels, the Sydney Roosters put on another try-scoring display racking up 8 tries to walk out of Industree Group Stadium in Gosford 46 to 12 victors. In a similar fashion to the week before, tries were scored across the park with six different players getting over the stripe with Otesa Pule and Jess Sergis both bagging a double. Jocelyn Kelleher had a much more successful day with the boot only missing one of her 8 conversion attempts. The only major blight on the Tricolours' impressive performance was a hand injury sustained by Sergis as she scored her second try. Unfortunately, she will now need to undergo surgery for a fractured finger and as a result, will likely miss this weekend's match even though she has been named on the bench.
The Newcastle Knights were able to hold off a fast-starting Canberra Raiders in their clash at GIO Stadium. The first 20 minutes saw both teams going set for set until the Raiders broke the try-scoring drought, running in two tries before the half-time buzzer sounded. Although the Knights went into the break 10 points down it didn't take them long to chase down and overtake the deficit, scoring 3 of their own tries in just 10 minutes. Jesse Southwell had another stellar outing with her boot, slotting all of her attempts from all over the park. Tamika Upton led from the front, once again, running over 230 metres while also making seven line breaks and seven tackle breaks.
The Round 8 top-of-the-table clash will see the Newcastle Knights host the Sydney Roosters in the second game of an NRLW double-header at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In what is set to be an electrifying game of football, both teams will be looking to get their hands firmly around the two points on offer and keep the minor premiership within reach.
The home side has the benefit of fielding the same 17 players that travelled to the national capital with Sheridan Gallagher only receiving a warning from the judiciary after she was placed on report for a high tackle in last week's game. The Roosters side will be without Jillaroo Sergis, however, all is not lost as she will be replaced by Jayme Fressard who has a wealth of NRLW experience. Mia Wood retains her place on the wing and will be looking to score her 5th try in just her third game.
This game could really go either way with both sides showing absolute class across the pack and only dropping one game each in the 2023 season - with the Roosters falling short of the Raiders and the Knights going down to the Cowboys, both in Round 2. Although both sides have won the same number of games and are on the same number of premiership points, the Roosters are far above the Knights in terms of points differential. Across the season so far, the Sydney side have accumulated 240 points to Newcastle's 176. The Roosters' defence also seems to be in a slightly better position, only allowing their opponents to score 84 points - an average of only 12 points per game.
Player To Watch: 2022 Dally M Prop of the Year Millie Boyle will be going up against her old club for the first time. This often results in players taking their game to the next level so don't be surprised if the first-season Rooster has a barnstorming game. As it stands she is already running over 160 metres and averaging 30 tackles per game with a 93% tackle efficiency.
Newcastle winger Jasmin Strange will not only be playing against her old side but she will also be playing against her dad, John, who is the coach of the Roosters NRLW side. It will be interesting to see how she goes. Will this be her chance to add a third try to her 2023 tally?
TIP: It's really hard to go past the Roosters, considering that they have put 94 points on their last two opponents alone. The Knights may enjoy the home-ground advantage having won 6 out of their 8 matches there, while the Roosters have only experienced a win once. When all's said and done though, I think the tri-colours will easily walk away with this one. Roosters by 16.
1. Francesca Goldthorp 2. Vitalina Naikore 3. Jasmine Peters 4. Shellie Long 5. Krystal Blackwell 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 8. Tallisha Harden 9. Emma Manzelmann 22. April Ngatupuna 11. Bree Chester 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. China Polata 14. Jetaya Faifua 15. Sera Koroi 16. Lily Peacock 17. Sareka Mooka 18. Mia Middleton 21. Jessikah Reeves
Out: Makenzie Weale (bench)
In: Sareka Mooka (bench)
Squad Update: 19. Essay Banu, 23. Shaylee Joseph and 24. Merewalesi Rokouono cut. Middleton and Reeves remain.
1. Apii Nicholls 2. Madison Bartlett 3. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 4. Mackenzie Wiki 5. Shakiah Tungai 6. Zahara Temara 7. Ash Quinlan 22. Tommaya Kelly-Sines 9. Chante Temara 10. Sophie Holyman 20. Monalisa Soliola 12. Hollie Dodd 13. Simaima Taufa 8. Grace Kemp 14. Emma Barnes 16. Kerehitina Matua 17. Tara Reinke 18. Petesa Lio 21. Jessica Gentle
Out: Monalisa Soliola (second row), Petesa Lio (bench), Jessica Gentle (bench)
In: Emma Barnes (bench), Ahlivia Ingram (bench), Tara Reinke (bench)
Changes: Simaima Taufa-Kautai (front row to lock), Hollie-Mae Dodd (lock to second row), Grace Kemp (bench to front row)
Squad Update: 11. Elise Smith and 15. Ahlivia Ingram drop out of the team. Kelly-Sines comes in at prop with Kemp benched, Soliola is named in the back row. Lio and Gentle remain with 19. Ella Ryan the omitted reserve.
Referees: Belinda Sharpe;Sideline Officials: Tori Wilkie, Daniel Schwass;Video Referees: Kasey Badger;
Match Preview
with Josh Robertson
The first of Sunday's NRLW double-header from the Gold Coast sees two sides with differing fortunes this season as the Cowboys play "host" to the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium.
North Queensland showed a lot of promise on paper but have had a disappointing season as they sit down in ninth spot with just two wins from their first seven games. Despite their poor season, the Cowboys have been able to pull off a key win against the Knights which shows they can pull off big wins. Last weekend, the Cowboys were back in Townsville but the home ground advantage didn't help them as they fell to a 48-16 defeat against the St George Illawarra Dragons last week. The North Queenslanders were comprehensively outplayed as they struggled in the first half as the Red ‘V' opened a 28-6 half time lead that was unassailable for North Queensland who couldn't close the gap.
The Cowboys have lost Makenzie Weale through suspension for the remainder of the season, April Ngatupuna comes into the starting side in jersey 22 in the only change to the starting line-up. Sareka Mooka comes onto the interchange bench.
Sitting outside the top 4, Canberra are in fifth spot with their spot only wiped out by a negative for and against as opposed to the Broncos, who are 84 points better off on for and against. The Raiders' strong start to the season has been torpedoed by two big losses against the Broncos and Knights in the past fortnight. Having scored the opening two tries for the second week in a row, Canberra struggled to hold onto their advantage as they were chased down with their 10-0 halftime lead wiped away as the Knights outscored the Raiders 20-2 in the second half to hand the Green Machine a concerning 20-12 loss which yet again came after a strong start.
They have several changes all to their bench with Emma Barnes, Ahlivia Ingram and Tara Reinke all coming onto the bench for Canberra. The three additions to the bench sees Monalisa Soliola and Jess Gentle dropping back to the reserves.
Player To Watch: Star English fullback Fran Goldthorp has had a mixed season for the Cowboys with lots of promise but hasn't really delivered so far this season. They will need her to have a strong game at the back to lead them onto the right foot to finish off the season strongly. Canberra half Zahara Temara has broken NRLW records this season and has been strong but will be the main key to the Green Machine stopping their slump in form. They need her experience and poise to ensure that they can finish their season with back-to-back wins and make the finals in their first season.
TIP: The must-win nature of the game for the Raiders should mean that they have extra urgency to win this and they should do it up against a Cowboys side that has struggled. The Raiders can start strong and if they build on it they could build up a score against North Queensland. Raiders by 20.
1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Sienna Lofipo 15. Stephanie Hancock 16. Rilee Jorgensen 21. Dannii Perese 18. Kaitlyn Phillips 17. Laikha Clarke
Unchanged
Squad Update: 19. Sienna Laing, 20. Hailee-Jay Maunsell and 22. Taliah Fuimaono cut, Perese joins the bench with Clarke dropping to reserve. Phillips is the other reserve left in the squad.
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 5. Kimberley Hunt 6. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Talesha O'neill 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Tyla Amiatu 11. Amelia Mafi 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Noaria Kapua 16. Ruby-Jean Kennard 17. Jade Fonua 20. Madeline Jones 21. Monique Donovan
Out: Madeline Jones (bench)
In: Kennedy Cherrington (lock)
Changes: Jade Fonua (lock to bench)
Squad Update: 18. Nakia Davis-Welsh, 19. Kyra Simon and 22. Capri Paekau cut. Jones and Donovan remain.
Referees: Rochelle Tamarua;Sideline Officials: Jack Ebert, Jack Klein;Video Referees: Matt Noyen;
Match Preview
with Andy P
Titans are keen to keep a grip on form as Eels stand in their way to a finals berth.
An opportunity is looming for the Gold Coast Titans as they set their sights on a finals berth, and it's the bottom-of-the-ladder Parramatta Eels that will try to stand in their way this Sunday at Cbus Stadium.
The out-of-form Eels have been leaking an average of almost 30 points a match in their last five games, winning only one of those games in Round 6 against the Cowboys. Coach Dean Widders said after last round's convincing 12-46 loss to the Roosters, he was still pleased with how young leaders were coming out during the tough times and knows the team will learn lessons to take into next year's campaign. The Eels will be boosted with the return from suspension of Kennedy Cherrington, who has served a four-match ban.
Georgia Gale will be captaining out a Titans team coming off back-to-back wins who are starting to get belief at the right end of the season. Coach Karyn Murphy has seen fit to keep the team unchanged, who took it to the Wests Tigers 16-4 last round. While Jaime Chapman saw an early exit to that game via a HIA, she has been cleared to play for the final home game of the regular season for the Titans.
Both teams will head into the last game of the round on Sunday with a win a piece, giving one team a chance at finals glory and another a chance to dodge the wooden spoon and finish the season on a high note. Parramatta may not make the finals, but they still have a chance to scrap off the bottom and not get the wooden spoon, as only two points separate the Eels from three teams above them. With a win over the struggling Eels, the Titans would secure a top-four spot on the ladder and a chance to make the finals for a second swing of the bat after finishing last in 2022.
Player To Watch: Shannon Mato is leading most post-contact metres at 569 metres this season and put that on display last round, putting 126 of those metres on against Wests. Jaime Chapman is a potent weapon on the outside and will be ready to get anything Lauren Brown passe or kicks her way.
NSW Origin and Australian representative Kennedy Cherrington will be keen to find a win after a tough season for the team that Cherrington has had to watch from the sideline for the last four games. She will bring some spirit to the attack in the middle and some experience for the team to rally behind.
TIP: Eels will be keen to notch up a win at all costs, but will find it tough against the in-form and hungry Titans on home turf. Titans by 12.