Round 1 Match Preview: Showdown on the Sunshine Coast

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Thu 20 Jul 2023, 02:06 PM

The Roosters 2023 NRLW campaign kicks off on Saturday evening with a highly anticipated battle with the Brisbane Broncos at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos

Since the competition’s inception in 2018, the Roosters and Broncos have gone head-to-head a total of eight times, building a fierce rivalry as NRLW foundation Clubs.

Brisbane claimed six straight wins before Easts turned the tides in 2022 to record back-to-back victories.

In their last encounter, Olivia Kernick claimed a double for the Roosters in a comfortable 28-8 win for the Tricolours, with 2023-recruit Tarryn Aiken scoring the Broncos only two tries.

How They Line Up

Roosters Coach John Strange has named Tarryn Aiken, Millie Boyle, Keeley Davis and Amber Hall named to make their Club debuts on Saturday evening.

Corban Baxter and Brydie Parker make their returns in the backline alongside Jayme Fressard, Jessica Sergis and Isabelle Kelly.

Aiken will partner Jocelyn Kelleher in the halves, while NSW Blues duo Boyle and Davis unite with Māori All Star and New Zealand Fern, Mya Hill-Moana, in the front row.

Hall will make her Club debut in the second row, alongside Dally M Team of the Year back-rowers Olivia Kernick and Keilee Joseph.

Shawden Burton, Kalosipani Hopoate, Otesa Pule and Joeli Morris make up the interchange bench, with Alexandrea Kiriwi, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Lily Rogan, Tyler Bentley and Amelia Pasikala rounding out the line-up on the extended bench.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 22 Jul

Full Time

Broncos

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley Maddick

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia Robinson

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie Parker
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Ashleigh Werner

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn Kelleher

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Boyle
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Destiny Brill

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea Lenarduzzi

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Gray

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Amber Hall
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah Denman

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada Ferguson

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden Burton
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Filomina Hanisi

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Pani Hopoate
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Lauren Dam

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Otesa Pule
Interchange for Broncos is number 20 Breanna Eales

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Joeli Morris

Reserves

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Lavinia Gould

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Lexi Kiriwi

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins

Last updated: 9/13/2023 7:26:08 AM

Broncos coach Scott Prince has named three NRLW debutants with Mele Hufanga and Ash Werner in the back line and forward Tafito Lafaele to come off the interchange. Gayle Broughton will make her Club debut in the halves alongside veteran Ali Brigginshaw.

Key Match Up: Olivia Kernick and Romy Teitzel

Two Origin stars go head-to-head on the edge this week when NSW Sky Blue Olivia Kernick meets Queensland Maroon Romy Teitzel.

Both back-rowers have played a total of 13 NRLW games, with Kernick debuting for the Roosters in 2021, while Teitzel debuted for the Broncos in 2020.

Kernick leads the count when it comes to try-scoring, claiming six to Teitzel's five. But the 24-year-old Bronco has the upper hand in average run metres, after featuring at fullback and in the back-row.

With both sides looking to commence their season with a dominant victory, keep your eyes on Kernick and Teitzel, whose brutal defence and attacking flair has the ability to guide their respective teams to the two competition points on Saturday evening.

What They Said

“Obviously having a nine-round season is really exciting, it also gives us time to build on our combinations, there’s no real pressure for us to get it right in game one but obviously we want to and we’ve been building throughout pre-season so hopefully we can perform well together on the weekend.” – Tarryn Aiken

“I’ve been loving my time here and all the girls have been great, I’m absolutely loving the coaching staff too and I can’t wait to be able to play in these colours.” – Keeley Davis

Final Verdict

The NRLW is finally back – and the Roosters begin their quest for another title against a formidable opponent in enemy territory.

With a host of International representatives, Central Coast products and returning campaigners; expect Saturday’s clash to be one of the grittiest battles of the season.

For those looking to attend the match, be sure to grab your tickets here, and support the women's game and our NRLW side with 2023 NRLW Membership!