Ultimate Guide: NRLW Round 1 preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Tue 23 Jul 2024, 03:50 PM

The NRLW season is here and the nib Newcastle Knights are set to light the fuse on the new campaign.

The red and blue will tackle the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night.

The Round 1 clash will launch the entire NRLW campaign with the two star-studded squads named for the epic encounter.

Jeffries: 'We're ready to go'

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Date: Thursday 25 July

Gates open: 6:45pm

NRLW kick-off: 7:45pm

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium

The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.

GAME DAY INFORMATION

Southwell: 'We're going to hunt everyone back'

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 2021

Played: 3

Knights: 1

Roosters: 2

TEAMS

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 25 Jul

Full Time

Knights

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Isabelle Kelly
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Taina Naividi
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Jasmin Strange
Winger for Knights is number 5 Isabella Waterman

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mia Wood
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jayme Fressard
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Tarryn Aiken

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis
Prop for Knights is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-Green

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Pani Hopoate
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Otesa Pule
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Aliyah Nasio

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn Kelleher
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Eliza Lopamaua
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Rima Butler

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Samantha Economos
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace Kukutai

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Mya Hill-Moana

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jacinta Carter

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Imogen Hei

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 8/3/2024 4:21:55 AM

TEAM NEWS

NRLW Head Coach Ben Jeffries has named his squad for their Round 1 clash against the Sydney Roosters.

In team news, new recruits Isabella Waterman and Grace Kukutai will make their NRLW debuts in front of the Hunter faithful.

The pair have made the transition from Rugby Union in New Zealand with Waterman to start on the wing and Kukutai to make her impact from the interchange bench.

The two debutants are the only changes from the side which won last year's Grand Final in Sydney.

Predebon: 'We do it for them'

For the Roosters, Isabelle Kelly has moved to fullback with Jasmine Strange lining up in the centres.

Their squad features a host of International and Origin representatives, including Tarryn Aiken, Millie Boyle, Mya Hill-Moana and Captain Kelly.

KEY MATCH-UP

Tamika Upton v Isabelle Kelly: An exciting match-up at fullback with our very own Tamika Upton lining up against Origin representative Isabelle Kelly.

The reigning NRLW Dally M Medallist had a season to remember in 2023 with seven tries and 10 try-assists plus the winning four-pointer in the Grand Final.

Our No.1 will come up against the dangerous Kelly who averaged 165 run metres in the recent Women's State of Origin series along with 10 tackle breaks.