NRLW Match Preview | Roosters v Broncos
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The grand final rematch promises to be a beauty as the NRL Holden Women's Premiership heads to Melbourne's AAMI Park for a second consecutive week after the Storm suffered a shock loss in week one of the NRL finals.
The Broncos got their NRLW title defence off to a flying start against the Dragons, while the Roosters are suddenly desperate to bounce back and keep their grand final hopes alive after the Warriors proved too good 16-12 in the opening round.
Brisbane remain undefeated since the NRLW started last year but can the Roosters finally find their groove and hand them their first-ever loss?
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
The Rundown
Team news
Broncos: The Broncos will line up 1-17 as named on Tuesday. Winger Julia Robinson returns from a leg injury and takes over from Tamika Upton, who hobbled from the field against the Dragons with a lower leg injury, while Chelsea Lenarduzzi is back from an ankle injury. Upton and Heather Ballinger were the last players cut before kick-off, while Jessika Elliston and Rosemary Vaimili Toalepai were trimmed from the reserves on Friday.
Roosters: Zahara Tamara has been promoted to the starting side at the expense of five-eighth Kirra Dibb, who drops back to the bench. NSW Country representative Simone Smith replaces Mel Howard in the halves, with backrower Hannah Southwell cleared to play despite failing to finish last week's match (concussion). Bobbi Law and Jasmin Allende were the last players omitted prior to kick-off, while Shanice Parker and Quincy Dodd were trimmed from the reserves on Friday.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Chelsea BakerFullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia RobinsonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Karina Brown
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Amy TurnerCentre for Roosters is number 3 Shontelle Stowers
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Amber PilleyCentre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Meg WardWinger for Roosters is number 5 Kiana Takairangi
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Raecene McGregorFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 14 Zahara Temara
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Simone Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Millie BoyleProp for Roosters is number 8 Ruan Sims
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Lavinia GouldHooker for Roosters is number 9 Nita Maynard
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Amber HallProp for Roosters is number 10 Vanessa Foliaki
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Annette Brander2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Tallisha Harden
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tazmin Gray2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Hannah Southwell
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Rona PetersLock for Roosters is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tarryn AikenInterchange for Roosters is number 6 Kirra Dibb
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Stephanie HancockInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Rebecca Young
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Mariah DenmanInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Aliti Namoce
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Chelsea LenarduzziInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Caitlan Johnston
Last updated:
Key match-up
Two standout performers in round one will go head-to-head with Simaima Taufa and Rona Peters expected to lock horns. Taufa was the Roosters' best forward with two tries in a solid effort in a losing side. Peters set the tone and helped guide the young Broncos pack with some bruising tackles against the Dragons. Both will lead but they'll need their teammates to follow.
For the Broncos to win
Their forward pack did a job against the Dragons, and were backed up well by halves Ali Brigginshaw and Raecene McGregor. A similar notion will need to apply against the Roosters, who continue to work towards a complete performance.
For the Roosters to win
They'll need to fix up their final-tackle options and chance their hand when they can. The Tricolours seemed a bit complacent last start given their minimal time together. With a game under their belt they need to find their strike players – like Isabelle Kelly – much earlier. Tallisha Harden and Mel Howard developed a nice combination as the game went on. Harden could play a big role against her former side on the edge.
Tarsha Gale says ...
The Broncos will win this battle. The Roosters didn’t live up to expectations last week and looked clunky in attack. If Simaima Taufa doesn't receive the support she needs from her forward pack the Broncos will be allowed dominate the middle. This will give Ali Brigginshaw the opportunity to do what she does best and orchestrate her team to another victory. Broncos by 8
Stat Attack
The Roosters' back five were enormous for the side in coming out of yardage, with an average of 122 metres per player. But their forward pack failed to register similar numbers in the middle, and that left the halves to struggle for any space around the ruck. Brisbane were far better at sharing the workload around and their outside backs were rewarded late in the clash.
And another thing ...
The Broncos will field 10 players from their 2018 grand final side, while the the Roosters will only have seven from last year's squad A total of 20 from the 34 players named represented either NSW or Queensland in the women's Holden State of Origin in June.
