'Our biggest yet' - Triple-header to launch NRLW season

The rescheduled 2021 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership will kick off on February 27 with a triple-header scheduled in Newcastle as part of a blockbuster 2022 draw announcement made on Tuesday.

After a postponement of the competition's start date in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NRL has confirmed a seven-week competition will take place early next year before a fifth season later in 2022.

Foundation club St George Illawarra and newcomers Gold Coast will open the season at McDonald Jones Stadium, followed by a 2020 grand final rematch between defending champions Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters.

Newcastle will go head-to-head with Parramatta to finish the first round before the competition shifts to Wollongong's WIN Stadium on March 6 for a second week of triple-header standalone matches.

The NRLW will then align with the NRL Telstra Premiership from round three with matches scheduled to be played alongside the men's draw throughout March.

"We have three new teams, two additional rounds, semi-finals matches for the first time, as well as a great chance to put the elite women's competition - our biggest yet - front and centre early in the rugby league calendar year," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

"Clearly it was disappointing for us that we were unable to play the 2021 competition this year due to COVID. But with adversity comes opportunity.

"Next year will be our biggest yet for the elite women's game - with two Premierships, State of Origin, All Stars and a World Cup.

"Thank you to our broadcast partners and to our loyal naming rights partner, Telstra for helping create a great 2022 schedule for fans.

"With additional teams and an extended competition, February 27 will mark a new era for the women's game."

Newcastle's inaugural NRLW side will join their male counterparts and travel to the Sydney Cricket Ground for a round three clash against the Roosters on March 12.

Parramatta will host a home game against the Titans the following day before the men's fixture gets underway shortly after at CommBank Stadium on March 13.

The Titans, Broncos and Dragons will all host home games in the final two rounds of the competition before a finals series takes place in April.

Four teams will advance through to the semi-finals on April 3 with the NRLW grand final to be played on April 10.

The Broncos are the reigning NRLW champions having won the past three titles since the competition began in 2018.

More than a dozen premiership-winning Broncos players will return to defend their title while others have shifted to rival clubs.

NRLW clubs will have until late January to finalise their rosters following the competition's delay.

Brisbane have four spots left on their roster to confirm while cross-town rivals Gold Coast have two spots to fill.

The Roosters require another five signings while Parramatta are yet to unveil 11 of their new recruits.

Newcastle have confirmed just two of their 24 after several players from New Zealand and Queensland returned home in October.

St George Illawarra have another seven signings to announce following the recent addition of former Jillaroos and rugby sevens star Emma Tonegato.

The NRLW will be shown live across broadcast partners Channel Nine and Fox League throughout the season.

A draw for the fifth competition isn't expected to be unveiled until later next year.

As part of the announcement, the All Stars fixture will be played on February 12 while State of Origin will take place on June 24 at venues to be confirmed. 

Queensland has hosted the past two women's Origin matches on the Sunshine Coast after NSW previously hosted two at North Sydney Oval.

The Maroons and Sky Blues are level at 2-2 in the head-to-head battle since 2018.