NRLW Trial wrap-up: Broncos, Titans send early message

A host of NRLW stars returned to the field in the past week with eight of 10 teams kicking off their preparations for the 2023 season with trial matches. 

With less than a fortnight until the opening round of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership season, coaches will rely on the trials as a guide when they name their Round 1 sides on July 18. 

Queensland clubs the Titans and Broncos both missed the finals in 2022 but have started their 2023 campaigns with a bang to signal their intent to turn things around this season while the Sharks and Eels recorded wins. 

Foundation club Sydney Roosters and newcomers Canberra Raiders were the only two clubs who did not have a trial game with the pair to meet each other in the second round of the season. 

NRLW Trials Wrap-up

Former Dragons pair Rachael Pearson and Elsie Albert lined up against their old club in Parramatta's 18-14 victory in Merrylands on Friday night. 

A late try to former Jillaroo Nakia Davis-Welsh helped the Eels edge Jamie Soward's new-look Dragons with both clubs reporting no injuries ahead of Round 1. 

Albert had her typical charging carries while Pearson looked comfortable alongside rookie five-eighth Pihuka Berryman-Duff, who looks set to start for the Eels in the No.6 jersey. 

The Dragons looked sharp in some periods with Dally M medal winner Raecene McGregor controlling the side at halfback alongside rugby sevens convert Tyler Nathan-Wong.

Dragons speedster Teagan Berry looks set to replace Emma Tonegato in the No.1 jersey in 2023.

Wests Tigers v Sharks

Emma Tonegato's first stint at five-eighth looked promising in Cronulla's 22-0 win over the Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday. 

The Sharks were quick to pounce through the middle of the field with their speedsters like Tonegato and Jada Taylor taking advantage of a disrupted Wests Tigers defensive line.

Taylor looks like she's ready to build on her one NRLW game for the Roosters last year and following her breakout 109-metre try in under 19s Origin. 

NSW hooker Quincy Dodd also looked sharp with her carries out of dummy half while Brooke Anderson started at lock with Holli Wheeler still sidelined with a knee injury. 

In mixed news for the Wests Tigers, new recruit Sarah Togatuki left the field with a leg concern but in a huge boost, club captain Botille Vette-Welsh played her first game in 12 months and successfully got through. 

Knights v Broncos 

Defending premiers Newcastle trotted out an understrength side missing the likes of Tamika Upton, Hannah Southwell, Caitlan Johnston and Yasmin Clydsdale to go down 18-4 to the Broncos in Maitland on Saturday afternoon. 

Brisbane looked sharp with new recruits Gayle Broughton and Romy Teitzel firing for the three-time NRLW champions while Ali Brigginshaw pulled all the strings in breezy conditions in the Hunter. 

Broughton's combination with Kiwi Ferns powerhouse Mele Hufanga looked damaging in a brief stint on the left edge in an ominous warning for rival teams as they look to build on that alongside Tazmin Gray, who was rested from the match.

Promising Knights back-rower Jules Kirkpatrick looked strong early in the back-row before leaving the field with a leg concern.

Titans v Cowboys

The Cowboys took to the field for the first time in their history in a trial against the Titans on Thursday night and despite scoring early via Makenzie Weale, they eventually went down 30-6. 

Gold Coast are tipped to be the big improvers in 2023 after finishing last 12 months ago and Karyn Murphy's side looked good in their first hit out of the year. 

Rugby sevens convert Niall Williams-Guthrie pulled off a couple of big shots to send an early statement that she means business in the NRLW this year while Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Sienna Lofipo are battling it out for the halfback jersey. 

Jillaroos hooker Lauren Brown had her first game of the year after skipping the Origin series and BMD Premiership in a bid to complete her firefighter course. 

Gold Coast confirmed Brooke Saddler (broken leg) and Estanoa Faitala (ACL) suffered season-ending injuries in the match with squad replacements to be confirmed before Round 1. 

Both these sides will meet again to open the season on July 22 at Cbus Super Stadium.