The Roosters Crow: A Historic First at the SCG

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Tue 8 Mar 2022, 03:40 PM

For the second week running the Roosters take on new opposition in the Newcastle Knights, and it will also be a first for the NRLW squad as they take the field on the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Form Guide: Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights

Both the Roosters and Knights have been close to securing their first wins of the season, with the Tricolours going down in a spirited performance against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 1 before falling just short of a memorable comeback last week against the Gold Coast Titans.

Newcastle have gone on a similar path in their first NRLW campaign, defeated by a single point against the Parramatta Eels before coming up against the Broncos in a 28-10 loss last weekend.

Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time and in a first double header with the NRL, both sides will be hungry to claim their first competition points of the season in what is expected to be a season-defining contest.

How They Line Up:

John Strange has named a slightly different squad from last week, one that features experienced duo Corban Baxter and Samantha Economos.

Baxter takes her place as fullback and captain for the first time in season 2021, joined in the backline by Leianne Tufuga, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and Brydie Parker, who reverts back to the wing.

The halves pairing of Jocelyn Kelleher and Raecene McGregor has been retained from last week, while Sarah Togatuki returns to the front row alongside Olivia Higgins and Tayla Predebon.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 12 Mar

Full Time

Roosters

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Romy Teitzel
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne Tufuga

Winger for Knights is number 2 Katelyn Vaha'akolo
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Knights is number 3 Jayme Fressard
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi Law
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brydie Parker

Winger for Knights is number 6 Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 17 Kirra Dibb
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Halfback for Knights is number 13 Charntay Poko

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Sarah Togatuki

Prop for Knights is number 8 Maitua Feterika
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Olivia Higgins

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Krystal Rota
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Tayla Predebon

Prop for Knights is number 10 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Yasmin Clydsdale

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Georgia Page
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Lock for Knights is number 18 Phoebe Desmond

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zahara Temara

Interchange for Knights is number 7 Tahlulah Tillett
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Keilee Joseph

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Emma Manzelmann
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Mya Hill-Moana

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Charlotte Scanlan
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Simone Karpani

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Ngatokotoru Arakua

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 23 Joeli MORRIS

Replacement for Knights is number 19 Kyra Simon

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/19/2023 9:04:45 PM

Yasmin Meakes also reverts back to the second row where she started in Round 1, pairing up with try-scorer Olivia Kernick and interim captain Hannah Southwell.

Zahara Temara has been retained as bench utility alongside young trio Keilee Joseph, Mya Hill-Moana and Simone Karpani on the interchange, while Shawden Burton has been named as 18th person.

The extended bench features Samantha Economos, Lauretta Leao-Seve, Otesa Pule, Claire Reed, Joeli Morris and Taylor-Adeline Mapusua.

Key Match Up: Corban Baxter vs Romy Teitzel

Baxter Excited for Growth of Women's Game

It's a battle between both fullbacks and captains this week, as Corban Baxter faces off against Romy Teitzel.

Of course, this week will mark the first upon return for Baxter in season 2021, having been a member of the Roosters' NRLW side since 2019 - and the Origin and Australian rep will line up at the back for the first time since her debut season.

Her opponent this week Romy Teitzel has made a meteoric rise through the Queensland Women's competitions, and has stamped her mark in the NRLW in 2021, averaging 137 metres per game having scored the club's very first try in the top-tier competition.

With both sides aiming for their first win of the season, it'll be the captains in command and in control who dictate the outcome.

NRLW Rewind: Captain Corban Finishes Slick Move

Your Verdict

It's all or nothing for the Roosters when they come up against a determined Knights outfit this Saturday afternoon - and John Strange's side has the perfect opportunity to make an impression in front of a raucous crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Be sure to grab your tickets here for a historic double header at the family-friendly time at 12:50pm, before the NRL kick off their season at 3:00pm at our hallowed home ground!