Wests Tigers v Raiders: Trio handed debuts; Taufa, Temara to lead
The Canberra Raiders are out to make a winning start to their second NRLW season as they travel to Sydney to face the Wests Tigers.
The teams will clash in a Sunday afternoon match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, with a 1.45pm kick off in the final game of the first round of this year's competition.
The Raiders were impressive in their inaugural NRLW campaign last season, however they fell just short of a finals berth and finished fifth on the ladder.
The goal this year is to progress to the semi-finals with coach Darren Borthwick able to build considerable continuity with his squad.
Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara will again lead the side while Madison Bartlett and Apii Nicholls will provide attacking firepower out wide.
The Wests Tigers also made solid gains in their first NRLW season last year, finishing eighth with two wins.
Coach Brett Kimmorley is looking to build on a solid foundation in 2024, with the Raiders clash their first opportunity to showcase their improvement.
The Wests Tigers fell to Brisbane 28-16 in a trial earlier this month however there were plenty of positive signs for the season.
Co-captains Kezie Apps and Bo Vette-Walsh are two of the most dangerous players in the competition and centre Rikeya Horne has shown she is in try-scoring form with a four-pointer in the trial.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Raiders
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Wests Tigers: Co-captains Botille Vette-Welsh and Kezie Apps will provide the experience for a Tigers side that will see three players make their NRLW debut, including off-season recruits Natasha Penitani and Shaianne McGlone. Harmony Crichton has also been named to play her first NRLW game on the wing. The 19-year-old sister of NSW Origin star Stephen has progressed through Wests Tigers pathways, playing in the Tarsha Gale Cup and NSW Women’s Premiership competitions. Forward Tara Reinke will make her Wests Tigers debut against her former club after making the move in the off-season.
Raiders: Both inaugural season co-captains Simaima Taufa (lock) and Zahara Temara (five-eighth) have been named and bring plenty of experience to the side. Temara was part of Queensland's successful Origin squad, while prop Sophie Holyman and interchange forward Grace Kemp were also involved in this year's series and have some tough rugby league under their belts. Fiji Bulikula representative Sereana Naitokatoka, who played nine games with the Eels last season, has been named on the interchange.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille Vette-WelshFullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii Nicholls
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Harmony CrichtonWinger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Leianne TufugaCentre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Rikeya HorneCentre for Raiders is number 4 Mackenzie Wiki
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tess StainesWinger for Raiders is number 5 Alanna Dummett
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline Piliae-RasabaleFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana LutuHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-Sines
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma NourHooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian PioProp for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaianne McGlone2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada GeorgeLock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie CurtainInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara ReinkeInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Natasha PenitaniInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Brooke TalatainaInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Sereana Naitokatoka
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jessica KennedyReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Felice Quinlan
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Tiana-Lee ThorneReserve for Raiders is number 19 Jaida Faleono
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Rebecca PollardReserve for Raiders is number 20 Tatiana Finau
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Claudia NielsenReserve for Raiders is number 21 Georgia Willey
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Imogen GobranReserve for Raiders is number 22 Relna Wuruki-Hosea
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers will host their first game at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
- The Raiders won two and lost two away from home in 2023.
- Tigers centre Leianne Tufuga scored a hat-trick in last year’s loss to the Raiders.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
