NRLW Match Report | Round 4 v Tigers

Media conference

50 up: Sarah Togatuki did all in her power to lift the Tigers in her 50th NRL match, making 154 metres from 14 runs and getting through 27 tackles. Teammate Holli Wheeler also brought up 50 games as did Rooster Jess Sergis.

Full-time: The Roosters remain unbeaten on the back of a playmaking masterclass from Jocelyn Kelleher who produced five try assists, two line break assists and 214 kick metres.

70 min: The Roosters put an exclamation mark on the win with Jess Sergis crossing in her 50th game after Mia Wood climbed up to contest a bomb and the ball spilled to Sergis who now has 32 tries for the career. The try again came from a pinpoint kick across field by Jocelyn Kelleher. Roosters 48-10

68 min: Raecene McGregor's kick is taken on the full by Shaniece Monschau who gets it away to Faythe Manera who sends it on to Lily Rogan who crosses wide out. McGregor converts. Roosters 44-10

65 min: Jess Sergis has passed her HIA and shaken off a leg issue to return to the field in her 50th career game.

64 min: Aliyah Nasio grabs a try in her first game since the 2025 grand final as Jocelyn Kelleher again puts the ball on a platter. Nasio powers into a hole on the right edge and her fend on Faythe Manera is a beauty. Roosters 44-4

61 min: Raecene McGregor throws a long ball for Namoe Gesa on the left edge but the centre can't hang on and the Roosters take over.

58 min: Jocelyn Kelleher delivers again as she puts Sariah Paki over for her second try on the left edge as the Tigers' defence is opened up too easily. Kelleher converts. Roosters 38-4

57 min: Millie Elliott comes up with a clean line break and picks up Rima Butler who has her hair pulled by Raecene McGregor as the Tigers halfback scrambles back in defence. Roosters penalty.

53 min: Raecene McGregor kicks cross field for Emily Bass who gets above Jayme Fressard to take the catch and get over the line for the Tigers' first try. McGregor misses the conversion. Roosters 32-4

51 min: Jess Sergis hobbles off with a leg problem after she was hit hard when returning the kick-off. Portia Burke was placed on report and penalised for a dangerous tackle on Sergis, who underwent an HIA.

49 min: Jayme Fressard has a hat-trick courtesy of a superb cross field kick from Jocelyn Kelleher who is having a night out at Leichhardt. In the absence of her halves partner Tarryn Aiken with a shoulder problem, Kelleher has delivered in spades with two try assists and four conversions. Roosters 32-0

47 min: Caitlin Turnbull comes up with a cold drop off a Jocelyn Kelleher bomb and the Roosters are on the attack from 20m out.

45 min: The Tigers go down a player as well after Brook Talataina is binned for a hip drop on Jess Sergis. It's 12 on 12 for the next eight minutes.

43 min: Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly is sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle on Harmony Crichton in the Tigers' previous set before the Roosters try.

41 min: Jocelyn Kelleher puts up a pinpoint kick on the last tackle and Sariah Paki outleaps Caitlin Turnbull to bring the ball down and score the opening try of the second term. Kelleher sprays the conversion. Roosters 26-0

39 min: Lily Rogan loses the ball as she is driven back in strong Roosters defence. A knock on is called. The Tigers throw in a captain's challenge and the bunker rules Jasmin Strange had stripped the ball. Tigers penalty.

36 min: Keeley Nizza's pass out of dummy half is ruled forward to Amber Hall and the Tigers have an early shot at points.

Issy was busy: Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly led from the front with 87 run metres, two try assists, one line break and two tackle breaks. She proved a real handful for the Tigers' right edge and combined brilliantly with Jayme Fressard who ran for 70 metres and crossed for a double. 

Half-time: On the back of 57 per cent of possession and an 85 per cent completion rate, the Roosters have dominated proceedings to open up a 22-0 lead. The Roosters won the penalties 6-2, had six line breaks to nil and ran for 229 more metres than their opponents.

35 min: Kezie Apps runs a great line off Raecene McGregor but the Roosters muscle up to turn her away.

33 min: The Roosters are penalised for a slow peel by Isabelle Kelly.

30 min: Shaylee Bent is penalised and placed on report for a hip drop tackle on Aliyah Nasio and the Roosters are hot on attack again.

28 min: In her first game back from a calf injury, Amber Hall powers over from close range with her first touch of the ball. Hall is simply too strong from close range. Roosters 22-0

26 min: Some razzle dazzle from the Tigers and they have the Roosters stretched but Shaylee Bent spills the ball with unmarked players outside her. Christian Pio had delivered a great long ball for Bent but she couldn't handle.

23 min: Brook Talataina puts the ball down on third tackle and the Tigers have squandered their first opportunity at points.

22 min: Raecene McGregor chips towards the corner, Emily Bass contests for the ball with Jayme Fressard. The referee rules Tigers knock on but they throw in a captain's challenge and come up trumps as the bunker rules Fressard had lost the ball in to Bass. Tigers scrum 10m out.

20 min: The Roosters come up with their first error as Millie Elliott puts the ball down in contact as Holli Wheeler makes strong contact.

18 min: Jayme Fressard is dragged down just short by Emily Bass but the Tigers can't recover quickly enough and Isabelle Kelly crashes over from dummy half with Shenae Lendill powerless to stop her. Jocelyn Kelleher again adds the extras from wide out. Roosters 16-0

14 min: A better set for the Tigers with Raecene McGregor putting up a swirling kick at the end of it and Brydie Parker comes up with a safe catch.

11 min: A double strike for the Roosters and a double strike for Jayme Fressard as Emily Bass comes in too far off her wing and Isabelle Kelly makes her pay with slick hands for Fressard to sprint 20m to the corner. Jocelyn Kelleher nails the conversion from touch. Roosters 10-0

9 min: The Roosters go close again with Isabelle Kelly wrapped up just short of the line on the final play after a line break by Olivia Kernick had put them on the front foot.

7 min: Keeley Nizza tries to burrow over from dummy half on last tackle but the Tigers hold firm.

6 min: Kezie Apps is penalised for a high tackle on Otesa Pule and the Roosters are inside the red zone again.

4 min: The Roosters strike first after Jocelyn Kelleher and Isabelle Kelly combine on the left edge to send Jayme Fressard over for her fifth try of the season. Kelleher fails to convert. Roosters 4-0

3 min: Isabelle Kelly puts in a grubber on the last tackle and Caitlin Turnbull knocks it on to hand the Roosters great field position.

1 min: Raecene McGregor puts in a clearing kick and Mia Wood knocks the ball on but a lucky break for the Roosters as officials rule it backwards.

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: Portia Burke has been added to the bench and Tara Reinke moves to reserve player in a late switch. The Tigers are a settled squad as they look to rebound from last week's loss to the Broncos. The same 17 as last week rolls out at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night, with Sarah Togatuki and Holli Wheeler to play their 50th NRLW games.

Roosters: Late changes for the Roosters with Taryn Aiken dropping out with a minor shoulder injury. Corban Baxter moves into the halves, Brydie Parker moves to fullback and Mia Wood comes in on the wing. International forward Amber Hall plays her first game of the season after overcoming a calf injury. Hall will come off the bench alongside Aliyah Nasio, who returns from a suspension incurred in last year's grand final. The duo's return offsets the loss of Macie Carlile to a knee injury. Jess Sergis will play her 50th NRLW game. 

 

Broncos v Knights at Totally Workwear Stadium

Media conferences

Barnstorming Bartlett: Centre Georgia Bartlett was inspirational, running the ball 264 metres and breaking the line on three occasions for the Broncos.

Full-time: The Broncos have stamped their authority on the competition after overcoming a gritty Knights side 30-12 to register their fourth win on the trot. While the Knights won the completion battle it was the Broncos' strikepower that proved the difference, with 10 line breaks compared to the Knights' four, 145 additional post-contact metres and 507 more run metres.

68 min: One last raid for the Knights as Spain looks for space on the left edge but the fullback is dragged into touch by Southwell.

63 min: It's offload city in Brisbane with the Premiers once again rewarded for their support play, stringing together four offloads to keep the play alive and it's Rhemy Hinckesman who takes the ball over the line to all but put the match to bed. Broncos 30-12.

58 min: Bartlett finds space on the left edge off a kick return but Kirra Dibb refuses to give up the chase and brings the centre down metres from the try line. Quick thinking Brigginshaw finds Lauren Dam in support who goes over untouched and extends Brisbane's lead. Broncos 24-12.

47 min: A sensation solo try from Upton puts Brisbane in front as the star fullback picks up a last tackle kick and sells a dummy at the line to run 70m and score. Southwell converts. Broncos 18-12.

46 min: The Broncos build pressure with a strong kick chase and force a Taulelei-Siala handling error but the opportunity goes begging after a wayward offload. 

38 min: Brisbane get across the line through Lenarduzzi again but the bunker rules the star forward is held up over the try line.

37 min: Fane Finau puts the ball down for the Knights and hands the Broncos an opportunity to go on the attack early in the second half.

Half-time: Despite a locked scoreboard at the break, the Knights had 55 per cent of possession and completed 12 of 14 sets. The Broncos however lead the way in tackle breaks with 19 compared to the Knights' 13 and 43 more post-contact metres. Broncos centre Georgia Bartlett got through plenty of work in the first-half with 139 run metres and two line breaks.

31 min: Southwell stamps authority on the match with her signature right-foot step, slicing through the Newcastle defence before finding Chelsea Lenarduzzi in support who can't be stopped before the line. Broncos 12-12.

27 min: Broncos winger Kerri Johnson leaves the field with injury and does not return.

27 min: The Knights look to post their third try when Tayla Predebon carries the ball over the line but Upton once again saves the day for Brisbane.

25 min: Fullback Lucy Spain hands her side an opportunity to take the lead after splitting the Broncos defence to run 55 metres off the scrum. An unstoppable Amelia Pasikala crashes over from close range later in the set.

20 min: Newcastle continue to mount pressure on the line and Georgia Roche hits the gap from close range to lock the score up at 6-6.

20 min: Quick hands on the Knight's right edge finds Shanice Parker but the winger is denied after some desperate cover defence from Upton. 

15 min: The Knights go on the attack but Julia Robinson and Caitlin Urwin stand tall once again in defence, carrying Mercedez Taulelei-Siala into touch.

12 min: A late offload from Shannon Mato puts Tamika Upton over the line to hand the Bronco's the opening try. A barnstorming Brianna Clark laid the foundation, splintering the defence with a long-range break. Southwell converts. Broncos 6-0.

9 min: A Jules Kirkpatrick charge down off a Jesse Southwell kick hands the Knights a golden opportunity to post the opening points but some great right-edge defence from Brisbane shuts the visitors out.

7 min: A nasty head clash between Broncos pair Lillian Yarrow and Bree Spreadborough in a tackle sees yarrow leave the field for a HIA.

4 min: An early penalty to the Broncos gifts them an opportunity to work the ball downfield but an error at the end of the set hands the ball to the Knights. Newcastle trade back an unforced error on the next set.

 

Late Mail

Broncos: No changes on game day with Rhemy Hinckesman returning from a head knock that forced her to miss last week's win over the Tigers and will come off the bench on Sunday afternoon. Reegan Hicks is also back on the interchange as the Broncos look to extend their unbeaten start to the year. Centre Julia Robinson will make her 50th NRLW appearance. No late changes on game day. 

Knights: The loss of captain Yasmin Meakes to a season-ending knee injury will see Jules Kirkpatrick step into the back-row, with Grace Giampino the new face on the interchange. No other late changes expected as Newcastle look to snap a three-game losing streak against the Broncos. Knights pair Shanice Parker and Tayla Predebon will play their 50th NRLW games. Newcastle are also unchanged in Sunday's 90-minute update.

Eels v Warriors at Eric Tweedale Stadium

Media Conferences

Full-time: The Warriors hold off the fast-finishing Eels to make it two straight. The Eels had the better of the Warriors in field possession (52 per cent) and completion (88 per cent) compared to the Warriors 70 per cent but it was the Warriors strike power that came out on top int he end. The visitors had 507 post contact metres compared to the eels 377, three more line breaks and six more tackle breaks. 

70 min: The Eels squeeze everything they can out of their final set and looked to make it a grandstand finish with a try in the corner, however the final pass from Murphy was called back forward and Warriors escaped with a 14-12 win.

65 min: A golden opportunity for the Eels to reclaim the lead with Fetalaiga sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

65 min: The Warriors look to put the game to bed with six minutes to play however an incorrect play the ball from Metanoia Fetalaiga hands over possession.

59 min: The Eels launch a successful captain's challenge in their attacking zone for a Jasmin Morrissey knock on with the centre holding possession, however the Warrior's defence holds firm.

58 min: The Warriors are back on the attack but skipper Murphy wrestles back momentum for the Eels, intercepting and running 35 metres downfield.

53 min: Some desperation on the last play to keep the ball alive before Apii Nicholls gets a high ball away and Tysha Ikenasio regathers and scores to put the visitors in front. Warriors 14-12.

53 min: The Warriors have all the momentum go the length of the field in the set off the kick-off thanks to a barnstorming run from Shakira Baker.

52: Joseph returns to the field in a great boost for Parramatta.

50 minute: The Warriors work the ball downfield and Patricia Maliepo capitalises on an earlier break from hooker Jasmin Huriwai, scooting and beating Church one-on-one to score. Eels 12-8.

41 minute: A Butler high shot hands the Eels a repeat set on the line and Church does it all herself again, recovering from a wayward dummy half pass and chip and chasing to score a double. Eels 12-4.

Half-time: There's not much separating the two sides at the break with the Eels taking a two-point lead to the sheds with 48 per cent of possession. The Eels completed two more sets at 86 per cent compared to the Warriors 73 per cent. Parramatta fullback Abbi Church ran for 132 metres and had three tackle breaks.

36 min: Rory Owen leaves the field for a HIA and is later ruled out of the match.

34 min: Worrying signs for the Eels with Keilee Joseph being helped from the field on the half-time buzzer in her first game back after recovering from a knee injury.

32 min: Opposing enforcers Elsie Albert and Harata Butler go toe-toe trading hits and forcing an error each to set up a showdown before the buzzer.

28 min: Kaiyah Atai takes the Warriors downfield with a barnstorming run to splinter the Eels defence and the visitors go left on the next play to set up Payton Takimoana in the left corner. Eels 6-4.

22 min: The Eels are pinned down on their 20-metre line and Abbey Church scoots from dummy half and beats several Warriors defenders to run the length of the field to score the opening try. Eels 6-0.

17 min: Warriors look to post the first points of the match when Gayle Broughton ignites a second phase play with a late offload but the try is called back due to obstruction. 

11 min: A mistake by Stacey Waaka in Warriors' territory gifts the Eels an opportunity on their attacking line but Rachael Pearson's cross-field kick is too wide for Martha Mataele to regather.

5 min: The Warriors get their first opportunity in the Red Zone but strong goal line defence forces an error from Ocean Tierney and the ball goes into touch.

3 min: Both sides get through their opening set before the Warriors earn a penalty for a high shot by Taneka Todhunter.

 

Late Mail

Eels: One late change for the Eels, with Jasmin Morrisey coming into the centres in place of Lindsay Tui. Star recruit Keilee Joseph is set for her first game of the NRLW season after recovering from a knee injury in a major boost for the Eels. The Jillaroos and Maroons gun will line up at lock as Parramatta look to reverse a concerning trend of slow starts. Rosemarie Beckett is set to start at five-eighth after Cassey Tohi-Hiku was suspended, while Taneka Todhunter comes into the No.9 jersey and Boss Kapua makes her return from suspension via the interchange. 

Warriors: No further changes on game day after star recruit Gayle Broughton was elevated to the starting line-up at halfback in the 24-hour squad update. Mele Hufanga will have to wait another week after dropping out of the extended squad. Patricia Maliepo, who was originally named in the No.7, moves to the bench and Capri Paekau drops out of the squad.