The Sydney Roosters take on one of the new additions of the NRLW on Sunday afternoon, with both sides vying for their first win of the season.
Form Guide: Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans
The Roosters and Titans meet for the first time in the NRLW at WIN Stadium, with both sides coming off first-round losses against the Broncos and Dragons respectively - which makes this match up all the more interesting.
Easts were brave in their spirited performance against the reigning Premiers, while the Titans fought to the death in their contest against the Dragons, so expect another close one this weekend when these clubs meet for the very first time.
John Strange will face off against his former mentor and former Roosters' Head Coach Jamie Feeney in the coaches' box, while there will be a number of matchups across the park for Roosters Members and supporters to look forward to witnessing throughout the 70 minutes.
Isabelle Kelly's Try-Saving Effort
How They Line Up:
John Strange has named a strong squad this week, which includes Captain Corban Baxter and experienced front rower Samantha Economos, both of whom have been named on the extended bench following late omissions last week.
Brydie Parker will start at fullback alongside Leianne Tufuga, Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly, with Claire Reed named to make her much-anticipated NRLW debut on the wing.
Jocelyn Kelleher has been named at five-eighth alongside Raecene McGregor, who will make her debut in the starting side for the Roosters at halfback.
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Brydie ParkerFullback for Titans is number 1 Evania Pelite
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne TufugaWinger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Titans is number 3 Jasmine Peters
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Titans is number 4 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
-
Winger for Roosters is number 11 Yasmin ClydsdaleWinger for Titans is number 5 Lauren Dam
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Grace Griffin
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kimiora Breayley-Nati
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Tayla PredebonProp for Titans is number 8 Shannon Mato
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
-
Prop for Roosters is number 23 Mya Hill-MoanaProp for Titans is number 10 Stephanie Hancock
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 8 Sarah Togatuki2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Tazmin Gray
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Titans is number 13 Destiny Brill
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden BurtonInterchange for Titans is number 14 Georgia Hale
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Keilee JosephInterchange for Titans is number 15 Jessika Elliston
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Zahara TemaraInterchange for Titans is number 17 Shaniah Power
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Titans is number 19 April Ngatunpuna
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Joeli MorrisReserve for Titans is number 20 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The front row of Sarah Togatuki, Olivia Higgins and Tayla Predebon has been retained from last week, as has the back row featuring Yasmin Meakes, Olivia Kernick and Hannah Southwell, who has been named as captain.
Shawden Burton, Keilee Joseph, Zahara Temara and Simone Karpani have been named on the interchange bench, with Joeli Morris listed as 18th person.
Corban Baxter has been named on the extended bench alongside Lauretta Leao-Seve, Otesa Pule, Samantha Economos, Mya Hill-Moana and Taylor-Adeline Mapusua.
The Titans have named a relatively similar line up to last week, with former Jillaroos and State of Origin rep Steph Hancock taking her place in the starting side, while Indigenous All Stars centre Jasmine Peters has been called into the backline alongside former Rooster Karina Brown.
Sergis' First Game in Red, White and Blue
Key Match Up: Hannah Southwell vs Georgia Hale
Australian and New South Wales representative Hannah Southwell comes up against experienced Kiwi ace in Georgia Hall in the middle of the field this Sunday afternoon.
Headgear-clad Southwell is renowned as one of the hardest hitters in the competition, with one of, if not the best tackling technique in the NRLW, evidenced by her 95.6% tackle efficiency in the opening round match against the Brisbane Broncos.
Despite being just 22 years of age, she has been earmarked as a leader on and off the field, having taken over the captaincy duties from Corban Baxter in recent weeks - and will do so again against the Titans this week.
Kernick Gets Roosters on Board
Her opposite at WIN Stadium will be Georgia Hale, a nine-time New Zealand representative and an inaugural member of the NRLW who possesses similar defensive prowess, and is one of the key members of the Gold Coast in their first season in the top grade.
With wet conditions predicted in Wollongong on Sunday, this will be a battle through the middle of the park, and you can certainly expect these two lock forwards will have plenty of say in the outcome of the match.
Your Verdict
History will be written in Wollongong come fulltime on Sunday afternoon as the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans meet for the very first time in the NRLW.
Both sides will be determined to get their first competition points of the season, and with a forward-oriented battle predicted, this one could be anything.
Be sure to grab your tickets here, cheer on the mighty Roosters at WIN Stadium this Sunday and enjoy the family-friendly kick-off time of 1:50pm as the NRLW continues its strong start in another blockbusting triple header!
