A strong start to their 2022 campaign has the Roosters at the top of the ladder, but halves Zahara Temara and Raecene McGregor are expecting a tough assignment against the Brisbane Broncos.
Recording their highest-ever score and their second-biggest winning margin in the NRLW, the Tricolours began their Premiership defence with a bang at Commbank Stadium against the Parramatta Eels last Saturday afternoon.
McGregor: "We Really Hit Our Straps"
Temara and McGregor, who both played pivotal roles in the 38-16 win, were quick to point out the new and established combinations within the side as an indication of the hard work the squad established throughout a shortened pre-season.
“I think (it was) the flow that we had throughout the team,” Temara said.
“We saw glimpses of everyone’s game coming out and we were all trying to combine together. I really enjoyed that parts of the game did get tough and we worked for each other.
“The flavour that they added to our game, I’m a bit more comfortable with how we play especially from learning the structures from last season. I think all the girls who did play last season that are still here were really driving the structures.
“The new debutants and rookies are learning and adding their flavour to our game as well. I thought it was really good. That’s what you want from a first game.”
“It was a really good start for us,” McGregor added.
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“I think we really hit our straps in the second half. We came out and showed what we have been working on in the pre-season. It was great to display that to the crowd out there.
“We’ve been training really hard together to work on those combinations and it was really awesome to see that out there on Saturday that we could display that."
Saturday afternoon will be the first meeting between the sides since the 2021 semi-final, which saw the red-hot Roosters produce one of the most incredible comebacks in Club history.
Down 16-nil in the early stages of the match, the courageous Tricolours clawed their way back from the jaws of defeat to post an emphatic 22-16 victory, propelling them to a spot in the Grand Final, and eventually, the Premiership.
I’m a bit more comfortable with how we play especially from learning the structures from last season. I think all the girls who did play last season that are still here were really driving the structures.
Zahara Temara On the side's combinations
McGregor is hoping that her side won't find themselves in a similarly vulnerable position in the latest match against her former Club, while for Queensland-based Temara, it's a welcome return to the sunshine state in the Roosters' first match at Suncorp Stadium.
“Last time was a little bit of a tough one against them,” McGregor said.
“Hopefully it’s not as tough and hopefully we don’t let ourselves get too far behind like we did in that semi-final.
“I’ve played a couple of games there before. My track record probably on that field isn’t too good so hopefully, we can change that.
“It’s a little bit different this year, I’ve played for the Roosters already (against them) so I think coming off the back of that into this game, I’m not too worried about the Broncos."
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“It’s a home game for me so I’m happy as," says Temara.
“All my family and friends are going to be there like they were at the Grand Final last season. I’m stoked.
“It’s going to be a good game against tough opposition. I love playing at Suncorp and it’s Broncos territory but it’s a nice stadium and field.
“All the girls in the team are excited to play up there.”
