Titans v Roosters Round 1 | Match Report

Debutants' ball: Broncos new faces Rhemy Hinckesman, Caitlin Uriwin and Harlem Walker all got tries in their NRLW debuts, showing that while the defending premiers did lose a lot of class over the off-season, they have a new crop of stars ready to step up. While she didn't score herself, Georgia Bartlett also impressed, with three try assists. 

Robbo on ice: Jillaroos superstar Julia Robinson didn't finish the match - but Broncos coach Scott Prince has reassured fans she is fine. Robinson has been managing a foot injury since Origin and said they would manage her and rest it.

Full-time: The Broncos get their title defence to a winning start, proving far to strong for the Cowboys in their 50-4 win. Kerri Johnson scored a hat-trick on the left wing in an impressive display. 

Crowd: 14,371 which is a Broncos record for NRLW double header and one of the highest numbers league-wide for an NRLW match.

70th min: The Broncos continue their attacking surge and another debutant is over for her first NRLW try, with Harlem Walker scoring. The home side got back-to-back sets with the Cowboys unable to keep a hold of the ball when trying to disrupt the flow of the Broncos. Brisbane keep pressing up toward their line and find success to their left this time, getting another fresh face their try. Southwell misses the conversion and it's 50-4. 

60th min: A hat-trick for Kerri Johnson out on the left wing. Brisbane have been clinical and relentless in their attack, keeping the Cowboys on the back foot consistently. They throw some passes out to their left with Johnson able to run through to add to her tally. Southwell converts and it's 46-4. 

57th min: Another try for the Broncos, with Lauren Dam going over thanks to some great lead-up work from debutant Georgia Bartlett who brings down a kick and charges to the line and has the wits about her enough after being ankle-tapped to throw an offload for Dam to scoop up and score. Southwell converts and it's 40-4. 

49th min: An unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Cowboys, who disputed a knock on from a challenge in the air. 

47th min: Cowboys are down to 12 players with prop forward Tafao Asaua sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. Already penalised for a slow peel, Asaua was out of position and could not help herself when a Broncos attacker came near her, making contact.

42nd min: The Broncos have the first try of the half, with rugby union convert Caitlin Urwin going over on the right wing after a nice pass from Teitzel. Southwell can't convert and it's 34-4 to the home side. 

Half-time: The Broncos have started their title defence strongly and hold a 30-4 lead at the break with a Kerri Johnson double setting the tone. Experienced Brisbane trio Ali Brigginshaw, Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Tamika Upton have been the major attacking threats, with a number of tries, try assists and line break assists amongst them. 

35th min: A try on debut for Rhemy Hinckesman who runs straight through under the posts to score just before the halftime siren. The Sunshine Coast Falcons lock had just recently come on for her first NRLW game and was in the right spot to collect a Chelsea Lenarduzzi offload to burst through and score. Southwell converts from in front and it's 30-4.

22nd min: More points for the Broncos, again going out to their left. This time it is Tamika Upton who goes herself straight off a scrum and she proves too strong to pull down. Southwell converts this one for a 24-4 lead. 

19th min: A double for Kerri Johnson in the first half, with the Broncos again finding joy out on their left edge. The Cowboys concede a line drop out and could not hold them out. Southwell misses another difficult one from the sideline and score remains 18-4.

15th min: A good fightback from the Cowboys with Emma Manzelmann going over for a good individual try from dummy half. The Broncos invited their Queensland rivals to attack with a knock on from Upton and they capitalised. The NQ hooker can't convert her own try and the score is 14-4.

12th min: The Broncos are in again - this time they go to their right, with Tamika Upton going to the line before passing to put second rower Romy Teitzel through a yawning gap for her to sprint away and score. Southwell is successful and the score pushes out to 14-0. 

6th min: Five-eighth Ali Brigginshaw is in the action again and scores her own try. The Cowboys were punished when a kick for touch didn't go out and the Broncos were able to go on the attack. They come back out to their left and the Cowboys defence just let Brigginshaw through to the line, worried she might offload. Southwell's kick hits the post and the score remains 8-0. 

2nd min: The defending premiers are the first on the board, with winger Kerri Johnson just staying in on the left touchline to score. She ran onto a great cut-out pass from Ali Brigginshaw - now playing in the number 6 jersey - and was able to stay in as she put the ball down. Jesse Southwell misses the conversion from the sideline and it's 4-0. 

Kick off: Broncos kick off and the Cowboys have the first use of the ball.

Late Mail

Broncos: Jesse Southwell makes her first appearance as a Bronco at halfback, with Ali Brigginshaw lining up at five-eighth. Tamika Upton will captain the side from fullback, while Julia Robinson is set to start the season at centre after starring in the role last year. Jillaroos prop Shannon Mato comes from the interchange in her return to Brisbane after five years with the Titans. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update, with Deleni Paitai and Tavarna Papalii remaining in the reserves.

Cowboys: Tallara Bamblett gets first shot at the fullback role with Jakiya Whitfeld unavailable this season after announcing her pregnancy. Recruit Margot Vella will make her club debut on the wing, while Abigail Roache and Rosie Kelly will start in the halves. "Rosie has really led the way from a physical point of view and conditioning so looking forward to her and Abi putting their hand up and steering us around the park," said coach Ricky Henry. PNG international Emily Veivers has been named to make her NRLW debut off the interchange after joining the Cowboys from Wigan. The Cowboys also remain 1-17 24 hours out from kick-off, with Lily Dick and Ashley Marsters still in the extended squad.

Dragons v Raiders at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium

Press conferences

Raiders 

Dragons

Fulltime: The Raiders completed a second half shut out of the Dragons to get their 2026 premiership campaign off to a flying start and celebrate captain Simaima Taufa's 50th NRLW appearance in style. After a poor start to the game, the Raiders fought their way to a 10-4 halftime lead and dominated possession and field position in the second half. Sheridan Gallagher was a revelation at fullback for the Raiders, while fellow recruit Krystal Blackwell starred in her new five-eighth role. Gallagher ran 213 metres with the ball, while another four Raiders ran for more than 100m whereas centre Keele Brown was the only Dragon to do so.

68 min: Taufa has celebrated her 50th NRLW game by charging through the defence to score. The Raiders captain was given the conversion attempt but missed from in front. Raiders 20 Dragons 4. 

67 min: Tahlie O'Brien has been sinbinned for a hip drop on Gallagher.

66 min: Teagan Berry is hobbling in backplay.

59 min: Gallagher has taken over the goal kicking duties, landed a penalty goal to put the Raiders further ahead. Raiders 16 Dragons 4.

57 min: Hannah Southwell has been penalised for a late shot on Taufa.

53 min: The Dragons are compounding errors with errors; five-eighth Taliah Fuimaono kicked the ball dead for a seven tackle set and then failing to get a kick away on their next set of possession. 

50 min: Maynard-Perrin has been ruled out of the match with a Category 1 head knock.

48 min: Mackenzie Wiki has sparked the Raiders into action, producing some strong defensive plays on her own line, making a long range break and diving over to score a try in the corner. Temera missed the conversion. Raiders 12 Dragons 4 

44 min: Krystal Blackwell has been denied a try after a Gallagher kicked touched the heel of Charlotte Basham and was picked up by the new Raiders five-eighth in an offside position.

Halftime summary: The Raiders have overcome an error-ridden start to the game, which literally began on the opening tackle, to lead at halftime. Canberra dominate nearly every stat in the first half, including 56 % possession, but five errors made it difficult to build any momentum. That changed late in the half, due to a number of penalties. Raiders fullback Sheridan Gallagher is threatening every time she gets the ball, while halfback Zahara Temera is controlling play.   

35 min: Grace Kemp has scored on the stroke of halftime after the Dragons succumbed to sustained pressure by the Raiders. Kemp charged over in a set move with Raiders captain Simaima Taufa. Temera converted. Raiders 10 Dragons 4. 

33 min: The Dragons have survived another scare after a mix up in goal fielding a Temera grubber between Berry and Paseka.

28 min: Former Dragon Bobbi Law has scored for the Raiders after fullback Sheridan Gallagher chimed into the backline to create an overlap. Temera missed the conversion from out wide. Dragons 4 Raiders 4. 

25 min: Keele Brown has bombed an almost certain try after breaking into the clear with Millard outside but opting to go herself and being tackled. 

20 min: NSW Under 19s hooker Tori Shipton has replaced Nita Maynard-Perrin for the Dragons.

17 min: Scrambling defence by the Dragons has held the Raiders out but an error by Paseka has given them another chance to attack. 

9 min: The Dragons have committed their first error after an incorrect play-the-ball by captain Brooke Anderson but they quickly regained possession by forcing a knock-on. 

6 min: The Dragons new left edge combination of Marie Paseka and Shenae Ciesiolka have enjoyed early success in defence after bunding Jordyn Preston into touch. 

5 min: Zahara Temera has charged down an attempted kick by Kasey Reh to give the Raiders possession for the first time in the match

2 min: Teagan Berry has struck first blood for the Red V after dummy past Raiders halback Zahara Temera and slicing past two defenders to score. Jayme Millard missed the conversion. Dragons 4 Raiders 0.

1 min: The Dragons have been handed a great early start after Raiders hooker Chante Temera knocked on from the kick-off.

Late Mail

Dragons: One late change for the Dragons, with interchange forward Seriah Palepale ruled out due to an ankle injury. The rookie is replaced on the bench by Tahlia O'Brien. Last year's co-captain Zali Hopkins has been named as 18th player, with Taliah Fuimaono to start at five-eighth in her return to the Dragons and partner emerging talent Kasey Reh in the halves. Fellow recruit Brooke Anderson will line up at lock, with former Bronco Shenae Ciesiolka named in the centres. Blues Origin hero Teagan Berry will start her final season as a Dragon at fullback. Lavinia Kitai and Tyra Ekepati dropped out of the reserves in the 24-hour update.

Raiders: Former Cowboy Krystal Blackwell has been named at five-eighth and is set to partner co-captain Zahara Temara in the halves. Fellow recruit Sheridan Gallagher will wear the No.1 jumper, while Bobbi Law is listed in the centres and Charlotte Basham in the back row. A special milestone for lock Simaima Taufa, who makes her 50th NRLW appearance after recovering from off-season surgery that forced her out of the Origin series. The Raiders will start as named 1-17, Lili Boyle is 18th player.

 

Catch up

Titans v Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium

Press conferences

Titans 

Roosters

Full-time: The Roosters have completed a clinical performance first up against the Titans, taking advantage of some poor discipline from the home side to win 34-10. When the Titans had their share of possession, they looked threatening, but couldn't convert enough of their chances. The Titans now have a nervous wait to see the scope of injuries to Jessika Elliston and Destiny Mino-Sinapati, who left the game with injuries in the second half.

70th min: Isabelle Kelly brushes off Phoenix-Raine Hippi to score a try and put the exclamation mark on a brilliant performance from the Roosters. Jocelyn Kelleher can't convert. Roosters lead 34-10.

Crowd: 1380

63rd min: The two teams are going set for set in a scrappy manner as we go into the final stages of the game. 

58th min: The Roosters have crossed for an apparent try, but the referee is not convinced everyone is onside from the Jocelyn Kelleher kick. The bunker supports the on-field decision ruling Millie Boyle offside on the chase and playing an active part in the play.

Injury update: More bad news for the Titans, with Destiny Mino-Sinapati undergoing treatment on a knee injury after being bent back awkwardly in a tackle. She too is headed for the sideline.

Injury update: After coming within inches of scoring, Titans forward Jessika Elliston leaves the field with a leg injury.

51st min: Welcome back, Tarryn Aiken! The Roosters halfback has some room to move from 10m out, stepping off her right, then off her left, and breaking through the last line of defence to score. Aiken then gets an early shower for her efforts, Jocelyn Kelleher misses a very gettable conversion attempt. Roosters lead 30-10.

49th min: Roosters centre Jessica Sergis has claimed a try on the back of a penalty tap and referee Tori Wilkie sends it upstairs. After breaking through a tackle, replays show her ball-carrying arm never touched the ground and the try is awarded! Jocelyn Kelleher makes no mistake with the conversion. Roosters lead 26-10.

45th min: The Titans hit back to the roars of the home crowd. A beautiful inside-outside play from Sienna Lofipo to Destiny Mino-Sinopati sends the fullback through the Roosters defensive line and she puts on the afterburners to beat Corban Baxter to score adjacent the posts. Lauren Brown converts. Roosters lead 20-10.

40th min: Sariah Paki is placed on report after a suspected hip drop tackle on Teagan Levi, but the Titans recruit continues on. The Titans, once again, immediately make an error in good field position following the penalty.

37th min: The Titans receive a penalty for a late tackle after a Lauren Brown kick, but spill it immediately in the attacking zone.

Half-time: The two teams go to the sheds with the Roosters leading 20-4 at half-time on the Titans' turf at Cbus Super Stadium. The Roosters were methodical in the opening stages to give them the lead, but the Titans looked strong when their maintained their discipline. Lily Kolc's sin bin was a dagger for the Titans when the Roosters scored right on half-time to take a 16-point lead into half-time.

35th min: Jayme Fressard has a double. The Roosters take it up the other end for a last-ditch effort to extend their lead, putting it through hands down their left and Corban Baxter smartly finds Fressard who slides into the corner. Jocelyn Kellher misses the conversion attempt. Roosters lead 20-4.

31st min: The Titans have gone up a gear after going down to 12 players, dominating possession and field position as the Roosters' discipline is found lacking. After several sets in scoring range, they can't convert.

Sin bin: Titans interchange hooker Lily Kolc is penalised for contacting the kicking leg of Jocelyn Kelleher and is sent to the sin bin.

27th min: The Roosters turn the tables. After looking to have conceded at the other end, the visitors take advantage of successive penalties, putting it through the hands on their right side and Jessica Sergis finds her winger Brydie Parker who dives over to score. Jocelyn Kelleher hits the post with her conversion attempt. Roosters lead 16-4.

24th min: The home side looks to have gone in again after centre Jaime Chapman puts it on the toe and grounds the ball after Corban Baxter fails to clean up. But the Bunker finds Takoda Thompson was offside on the chase and played an active part in the play, giving the Roosters and much needed penalty.

22nd min: Teagan Levi, welcome to the NRL. On last tackle, the rugby convert grubbers through, re-gathers and fully extends her arm to slam the ball down for a try to get her side back in the contest. Lauren Brown is unable to convert. Roosters lead 12-4.

20th min: Another enormous Jocelyn Kelleher torpedo bomb is allowed to bounce and Jessica Sergis gets her hands on the ball, but Destiny Mino-Sinapati does enough to force the error and save the day.

18th min: The Roosters are over again! After a floating bomb from Jocelyn Kelleher gave Titans fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati all sorts of problems, the visitors shift wide from the subsequent scrum and Jayme Fressard crosses the stripe to score. Once again Jocelyn Kelleher does a fantastic job with the sideline conversion to extend the lead. Roosters lead 12-0.

11th min: The Titans are finally made to pay for another error at their own end, with Jessica Sergis strolling over after an outstanding cutout pass from Tarryn Aiken, who looks to have hit her stride strongly on return from an ACL injury. Jocelyn Kellher nails the conversion from out wide. Roosters lead 6-0.

9th min: The Titans show wonderful defensive resolve, holding out the Roosters for three consecutive sets on their own try line.

5th min: Teagan Levi looks set to set up a try after breaking through the Roosters, but was ruled to taken advantage after running behind her own teammate.

3rd min: The Roosters get the first opportunity to attack after receiving a penalty out of yardage, but a long cutout from Jocelyn Kelleher misses the mark and the ball goes over the sideline.

Kickoff: We're underway on a stunning day on the Gold Coast.

Late Mail

Titans: Teagan Levi will make her NRLW debut at five-eighth alongside experienced halfback Lauren Brown. Maroons star Destiny Mino-Sinopati will line up at fullback, while Phoenix-Raine Hippi is looking to build on a stunning debut season in 2025 and shifts to the centres. Jaime Chapman is the other centre, with Evania Isa’ako named on the wing for her first match since becoming a mother last September. Off-season recruit Indie Bostock was named in the reserves but dropped out of the squad in Friday's 24-hour update. Fanua Rimoni was the other player omitted in the 90-minute squad update, with Sarina Masaga retained as 18th player.

Roosters: Star playmaker Tarryn Aiken has been named to make her return from an ACL injury suffered in Round 11 last season. Millie Elliott is also back on deck after missing the 2025 campaign to have a baby and making a successful return to the field during the Origin series. Rugby sevens convert Sariah Paki has been named in the back row. Powerful forward Amber Hall was unavailable due to a calf injury. The Roosters also remain 1-19 after Friday's team update, Taneisha Gray, Nikiah Campbell and Tatum Bird dropping out of the reserves. Talea Tonga was left out in the 90-minute squad update, meaning the Roosters run out 1-18 as named on Tuesday.