Round 6 Match Preview: Making History at Home

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Tue 22 Aug 2023, 04:20 PM

Taking on the Wests Tigers for the first time in NRLW history, the Sydney Roosters return home to Allianz Stadium on Saturday looking to extended their win-streak to four consecutive games.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers

Round 6 marks the first encounter between the Roosters and Tigers in the NRLW competition, but both Clubs Harvey Norman Women's Premiership Pathways teams have met on a number of occasions in the past.

Earlier this year, the Central Coast Roosters recorded a 38-6 win over the Tigers, with many players from both NRLW teams featuring across the park.

So far in 2023, the Roosters have taken home four wins, while Wests started their maiden season on a high claiming back-to-back victories, but have fallen to a three-game losing streak recently.

How They Line Up

John Strange has named Mia Wood to make her NRLW debut after Jayme Fressard sustained a concussion last round.

Corban Baxter takes the reins at fullback, with Brydie Parker and Wood on the wings and Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis in the centres.

Tarryn Aiken and Jocelyn Kelleher continue their combination in the halves, while Millie Boyle, Keeley Davis and Mya Hill-Moana take their place in the front row.

Otesa Pule, Olivia Kernick and Keilee Joseph complete the starting line-up in the back row.

Shawden Burton, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Pani Hopoate and Amelia Pasikala have been named on the interchange bench, while Joeli Morris, Grace Hamilton, Alexandrea Kiriwi, Lily Rogan and Tyler Bentley make up the extended bench.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Saturday 26 Aug

Full Time

Roosters

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tess Staines
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie Parker

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jakiya Whitfeld
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Rikeya Horne
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Leianne Tufuga
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mia Wood

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Josie Lenaz
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Tarryn Aiken

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn Kelleher

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Boyle

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Ebony Prior
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Otesa Pule

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Eliza Siilata
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden Burton

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie Curtain
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Teuila Fotu-Moala

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Imogen Gobran
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Pani Hopoate

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jessica Kennedy
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Amelia Pasikala

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Rebecca Pollard

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Joeli Morris
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Hope Tevaga

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Dave Munro

Last updated: 9/13/2023 7:26:06 AM

Wests Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley has named Losana Lutu to return from a knee injury to replace Emily Curtain at halfback. Tess Staines also returns to the team on the interchange bench are fracturing her thumb during pre-season.

Key Match Up: Isabelle Kelly vs Leianne Tufuga

Isabelle Kelly meets her former teammate Leianne Tufuga on the edge this week in what's set to be one of many exciting match-ups across the field.

The Roosters' Skipper has been at her brilliant best in the first half of the 2023 season, averaging 191 run metres per match, scoring three tries and assisting three others.

Her natural attacking flair is a key component of her game, challenging the opposing defence with 27 tackle breaks and six line breaks while maintaining a spot on the competition leaderboard for line breaks, offloads and total run metres.

Tufuga has also been dominant for the Tigers, providing the spark in attack to cross for five tries - the second highest in the 2023 NRLW season.

The 21-year-old outside back averages 138 run metres a game and has tallied eight line breaks this season, proving her elusive nature every time she takes to the field.

With both Clubs aiming to secure a crucial victory, keep your eyes on the battle of the centres, who have the ability to dictate the scoreline and lead by example on Saturday afternoon.

Final Verdict

With both teams vying for the two competition points which could have a monumental impact on the regular season standings, this is a game you don't want to miss!

Secure your tickets to the Round 6 double-header here, and cheer on the Roosters live from Allianz Stadium in the Club's final games at the venue for the year.

It's not too late to Call yourself a Rooster for the 2023 NRLW Season! Call our friendly membership team on 1300 327 871 to activate your membership today.