For the second week running the Roosters take on new opposition in the Newcastle Knights, and it will also be a first for the NRLW squad as they take the field on the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Form Guide: Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights
Both the Roosters and Knights have been close to securing their first wins of the season, with the Tricolours going down in a spirited performance against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 1 before falling just short of a memorable comeback last week against the Gold Coast Titans.
Newcastle have gone on a similar path in their first NRLW campaign, defeated by a single point against the Parramatta Eels before coming up against the Broncos in a 28-10 loss last weekend.
Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time and in a first double header with the NRL, both sides will be hungry to claim their first competition points of the season in what is expected to be a season-defining contest.
How They Line Up:
John Strange has named a slightly different squad from last week, one that features experienced duo Corban Baxter and Samantha Economos.
Baxter takes her place as fullback and captain for the first time in season 2021, joined in the backline by Leianne Tufuga, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and Brydie Parker, who reverts back to the wing.
The halves pairing of Jocelyn Kelleher and Raecene McGregor has been retained from last week, while Sarah Togatuki returns to the front row alongside Olivia Higgins and Tayla Predebon.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban BaxterFullback for Knights is number 1 Romy Teitzel
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne TufugaWinger for Knights is number 2 Katelyn Vaha'akolo
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Knights is number 3 Jayme Fressard
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi Law
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brydie ParkerWinger for Knights is number 6 Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Knights is number 17 Kirra Dibb
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Knights is number 13 Charntay Poko
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Knights is number 8 Maitua Feterika
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Knights is number 9 Krystal Rota
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Tayla PredebonProp for Knights is number 10 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Georgia Page
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Knights is number 18 Phoebe Desmond
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zahara TemaraInterchange for Knights is number 7 Tahlulah Tillett
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Keilee JosephInterchange for Knights is number 14 Emma Manzelmann
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Mya Hill-MoanaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Charlotte Scanlan
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Knights is number 16 Ngatokotoru Arakua
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 23 Joeli MorrisReplacement for Knights is number 19 Kyra Simon
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Yasmin Meakes also reverts back to the second row where she started in Round 1, pairing up with try-scorer Olivia Kernick and interim captain Hannah Southwell.
Zahara Temara has been retained as bench utility alongside young trio Keilee Joseph, Mya Hill-Moana and Simone Karpani on the interchange, while Shawden Burton has been named as 18th person.
The extended bench features Samantha Economos, Lauretta Leao-Seve, Otesa Pule, Claire Reed, Joeli Morris and Taylor-Adeline Mapusua.
Key Match Up: Corban Baxter vs Romy Teitzel
Baxter Excited for Growth of Women's Game
It's a battle between both fullbacks and captains this week, as Corban Baxter faces off against Romy Teitzel.
Of course, this week will mark the first upon return for Baxter in season 2021, having been a member of the Roosters' NRLW side since 2019 - and the Origin and Australian rep will line up at the back for the first time since her debut season.
Her opponent this week Romy Teitzel has made a meteoric rise through the Queensland Women's competitions, and has stamped her mark in the NRLW in 2021, averaging 137 metres per game having scored the club's very first try in the top-tier competition.
With both sides aiming for their first win of the season, it'll be the captains in command and in control who dictate the outcome.
NRLW Rewind: Captain Corban Finishes Slick Move
Your Verdict
It's all or nothing for the Roosters when they come up against a determined Knights outfit this Saturday afternoon - and John Strange's side has the perfect opportunity to make an impression in front of a raucous crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Be sure to grab your tickets here for a historic double header at the family-friendly time at 12:50pm, before the NRL kick off their season at 3:00pm at our hallowed home ground!
