NRLW 2024, North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons, round 2 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 31 Jul 2024, 09:01 AM

The Cowboys and Dragons are eyeing their first victory of the NRLW season as they prepare to face off in the final game of Round 2 on Sunday night.

North Queensland will return home to Townsville after a 14-0 loss to the Sharks in Cronulla last weekend, while St George Illawarra fell to the Titans 18-10.

The Cowboys have turned their focus to improving their attack after being held scoreless last Saturday, with coach Ricky Henry eager to see his side look more dangerous with ball in hand.

Halfback and skipper Kirra Dibb is set to play a key role in this quest, with the NSW and Australian representative looking to lead the side to their first victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

North Queensland will also have to be switched on defensively and must shut down the Dragons attacking weapons led by fleet-footed fullback Teagan Berry.

The 22-year-old scored a try in last week's loss to the Gold Coast, her 22nd from just 24 NRLW matches.

St George Illawarra were slow out of the gates in the defeat, two Titans tries in the first 11 minutes crippling their chances.

Coach Jamie Soward is determined to ensure there is no repeat on Sunday night, with the side eager to set the tone early against the Cowboys.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 4 Aug

8:10 am

Cowboys

Dragons

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

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Team News

Cowboys: Ebony Raftstrand-Smith has been named to make her NRLW and join sister Tiana in the Cowboys colours. The younger Raftstrand-Smith comes into the side in place of Vitalina Naikore. Other changes from Ricky Henry sees Essay Banu come in as starting prop with Mackenzie Weale ruled out after failing her HIA last week. Harata Butler has moved to the reserves, while Shaniah Power also makes her comeback via the bench after a leg injury last season last. PNG Orchids and Indigenous All Stars representative Sareka Mooka joins her on the bench. Emma Manzelmann has been named to start after she and Alisha Foord swapped roles last week.

Dragons: New recruit Kimberley Hunt will make her first appearance in Dragons colours after being brought in on the wing in place of Maatuleio Fotu-Moala. Coach Jamie Soward has again named veteran forward Steph Hancock on the bench with Jamilee Bright to start, but could swap them as he did on game day in Round 1.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 4 Aug

8:10 am

Cowboys

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal Blackwell

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Kimberley Hunt
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jakiya Whitfeld

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi Law
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Ebony Raftstrand-Smith

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Margot Vella
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah Tillett

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra Dibb

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha Harden

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Sophie Clancy
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Essay Banu

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jamilee Bright
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 China Polata

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Shenai Lendill
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte Basham
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Kasey Reh
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Peacock

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Sara Sautia
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sareka Mooka

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Bronte Wilson
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Shaniah Power

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Steph Hancock

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Harata Butler

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Madison Mulhall
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Jetaya Faifua

Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Alice Gregory
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Lillian Yarrow

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Tayla Curtis
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Vitalina Naikore

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Maatuleio Fotu-Moala
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Shellie Long

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Kaarla Cowan