NRLW Broncos v Warriors: Harden boosts pack; Green, Pelite turbocharge Kiwis
Brisbane's mission to secure a three-peat of NRLW titles begins with a clash against a new-look Warriors team being led by Jillaroos coach Brad Donald.
Five Warriors players - captain Georgia Hale, Madison Bartlett, Hilda Peters, Kanyon Paul and Crystal Tamarua - travelled from New Zealand to Australia and completed a two-week quarantine.
Their efforts to feature in this year's competition will help drive a blended squad intent on achieving something special.
The Broncos are eager to build on their sustained dominance and halfback Ali Brigginshaw, who was recently voted the best player in the women's game in an NRL.com poll, is central to their chances.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
2nd Position
away Team
Warriors
3rd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The rundown
Team news
Broncos: Brisbane are 1-17. Rugby Sevens convert Lauren Brown is named to debut on the wing with fellow recruits Jayme Fressard (centre), Tallisha Harden, Shannon Mato and Tyler Birch (all bench) to also make their club debuts.
Romy Teitzel and Chante Temara dropped off the reserves list an hour before kick-off after Zara Canfield and Shenae Ciesiolka were omitted from the squad on Friday.
Warriors: The New Zealand side will run out as named on Tuesday after some huge ins and outs with the team setting up camp in Australia and an almost entirely new squad. Honey Hireme-Smiler, Jules Newman, Apii Nicholls and Krystal Rota are among the big-name outs.
Fullback Karina-Brown, five-eighth Kirra Dibb, backline rugby duo Ellia Green and Evania Pelite, back-rower Tazmin Gray and centre Shontelle Stowers are among the big-name recruits named to start in the opening match.
Michaela Peck and Naomi Kara dropped out of the extended squad on game day after Shaniah Power and Laken Paitai were cut from the team 24 hours out from kick-off.
Match: Broncos v Warriors
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Warriors is number 1 Karina Brown
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Lauren BrownWinger for Warriors is number 2 Hilda Peters
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Julia RobinsonCentre for Warriors is number 3 Teaghan Hartigan
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jayme FressardCentre for Warriors is number 4 Evania Pelite
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Meg WardWinger for Warriors is number 5 Ellia Green
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Raecene McGregorFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kirra Dibb
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Simone Smith
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Millie BoyleProp for Warriors is number 8 Crystal Tamarua
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Lavinia GouldHooker for Warriors is number 9 Kanyon Paul
-
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea LenarduzziProp for Warriors is number 10 Kayla Sauvao
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Amber Hall2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Madison Bartlett
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jessika Elliston2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tazmin Gray
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Tarryn AikenLock for Warriors is number 13 Georgia Hale
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Annette BranderInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Shaniah Power
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Tallisha HardenInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Taimane Levu
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Shannon MatoInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Samantha Economos
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Tyler BirchInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Brianna Clark
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Last updated:
Key match-up
Ali Brigginshaw v Kirra Dibb: A master playmaker, Jillaroos captain Brigginshaw is incredibly influential and holds the keys to Brisbane's attack. Dibb, meanwhile, has had limited time to build combinations with her new teammates but the five-eighth certainly possesses the talent to dictate this game.
Stat Attack
Only one team managed to topple the Broncos in the first two years of the NRLW premiership - the Warriors. They scored a 10-8 victory in the round three match at the SCG last year with Madison Bartlett scoring the opening try.
