NRLW Team of the Week: Round 1

Simaima Taufa scores against the Warriors.

Author: Alicia Newton NRLW Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 16 Sep 2019, 04:22 PM

The opening round of the Holden Women's Premiership produced two high-quality games and some incredible individual performances.

The Warriors were impressive in round one to beat the Roosters 16-12, before defending premiers Brisbane were pushed until late in the second half to get the win over St George Illawarra 14-4 at Bankwest Stadium.

NRL.com's Team of the week

1. Botille Vette-Welsh (Dragons)

A constant threat with ball in hand, running for a game-high 176 metres with nine tackle busts and 57 post-contact metres in a beaten side.

2. Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)

Had 19 carries for 191 metres in another dominant performance. Made a couple of errors but her overall game cannot be questioned. Needs early ball to convert opportunities into points.

3. Jess Sergis (Dragons)

Looked dangerous with her carries and was aggressive in defence. Finished the game with six tackle busts and 75 metres.

4. Jules Newman (Warriors)

Contained opposite number Isabelle Kelly well considering she was playing in her first-ever elite rugby league match. Finished the game with eight carries and two tackle busts.

5. Shakiah Tungai (Dragons)

Scored the Dragons' opening try, pulled off a crunching hit on Amy Turner to snuff out a Broncos raid and was denied a second try in unlucky fashion late in the clash.

6. Raecene McGregor (Broncos)

Was sound on debut for the club to play a supporting role alongside Ali Brigginshaw in the halves. Finished the game with six carries and 159 kick metres.

7. Charntay Poko (Warriors)

The star of the round with a try, 40/30 kick and 515 kicking metres in total, the best by any player for a game in NRLW history.

Poko dives over to secure the lead for the Warriors

8. Amber Paris-Hall (Broncos)

A dominant display from the 24-year-old Kiwi Ferns representative with a try, 81 metres and 20 tackles.

9. Krystal Rota (Warriors)

Ran for 81 metres with a try assist, 35 tackles and an offload in a solid day out for the Warriors hooker.

10. Rona Peters (Broncos)

Led from the front for some of the younger members of the Broncos pack. Pulled off a big hit on Kezie Apps and broke the deadlock with an individual try in the second half.

11. Tallisha Harden (Roosters)

A fine debut for the Tricolours after relocating from the Broncos in the off-season. Ran for 62 metres with three tackle busts. Her combination with Mel Howard on the left edge looked threatening.

12. Kezie Apps (Dragons)

One of her best performances for the Red V with a long-range break and strong yardage on the edges. Came off for a head injury assessment but still managed six tackle busts and 116 metres.

13. Simaima Taufa (Roosters)

A captain's knock from the Roosters leader with two tries, 12 carries and 34 tackles. Needs help from some of her other teammates in the engine room.

Taufa scores the first try of NRLW season two

14. Lavinia Gould (Broncos)

Looked dangerous in attack to set up the Broncos' first try before being on the end of a crusher tackle and another head knock to be forced from the field. Still managed to top the tackle count with 35 in just 41 minutes.