Kirra Dibb has delivered a playmaking masterclass to pilot North Queensland to an inspired 31-20 upset win over reigning NRWL premiers Newcastle.
Dibb, the 2022 NRWL player of the year, showcased her full array of talents as the Cowboys overcame an early 10-0 deficit and the second-half sin-binning of impact forward April Ngatunpuna to record their historic first victory in the expanded women’s premiership.
In the second game of the Belmore Sports Ground double-header, new NRLW club Wests Tigers beat Cronulla 10-0.
Tigers winger Jakiya Whitfeld went close to setting a competition record for run-metres with a stunning 292m, just eight metres short of Gold Coast fullback Evania Pelite’s record of 300m set last year.
Earlier classy halfback Dibb set up North Queensland’s last two tries that sealed victory, produced an important 40-20 kick and landed two conversions, a penalty and the decisive field goal that broke a 20-20 deadlock with seven minutes remaining on Sunday.
A hero of Newcastle’s 2022 grand final triumph over Parramatta, Dibb’s player-of-the-match display denied her old team the chance to return to the top of the ladder.
The Knights seemed set to enjoy a cruisy afternoon when winger Sheridan Gallagher and centre Shanice Parker both crossed in the opening eight minutes to give the titleholders their 10-0 start.
But North Queensland snatched a surprise 12-10 halftime lead after quickfire tries to centre Jasmine Peters and prop Jetaya Faifua.
Ngatunpuna’s sin-binning and reporting for a high tackle in the 41st minute looked to be a turning point as Newcastle established a 20-12 lead in her absence with a second try to Gallagher and one to front-rower Rima Butler.
But the never-say-die Cowboys hit back to level the scores at 20-20 through winger Vitalina Naikore and second-rower Bree Chester before Dibb stepped up to take control when the match was on the line.
First she struck an ice-cool field goal.
Then her step and offload put Sareka Mooka in for a try in the 66th minute before Dibb completed a stunning performance with a clever grubber-kick for Naikore to complete a try-scoring double for the former Fijiana Drua rugby star.
In the final match of round two of the NRLW, the Tigers took a 10-0 lead at halftime and defended with grit in the second half to remain undefeated.
Apps stormed over in the 17th minute and then saved a try before Whitfield ran the length of the field.
Australia Rugby Sevens product Whitfeld had earlier saved a try with a ball-and-all tackle over the tryline and showcased her electrifying speed in her try when she swooped on a loose ball.
Canberra have marked their first NRLW home game with an upset win, taking down competition heavyweights the Sydney Roosters 24-14.
Defying their tag as rank outsiders, the league newcomers turned in a brilliant opening 50 minutes in the second-round clash before digging deep to cling on for their maiden win in front of a strong crowd at GIO Stadium.
Back-to-back tries for former international rugby representatives – Australia’s Grace Kemp and New Zealander Cheyelle Robins-Reti – saw the Raiders skip out to a 12-0 advantage early in the second half.
The Roosters had been expected to rack up points after a comprehensive win against Brisbane last weekend, but were instead stifled by an inspired Canberra who didn’t concede for the game’s first 52 minutes.
The enormity of the win wasn’t lost on Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick, praising the tight-knit nature of his side and their ability to go again once the Roosters challenged them.
“What I’m most proud of and happy with is the fans, over 8000 fans today showed up to back these girls, this club is based on its rich history and the community and they really get behind their teams,” he said.
“These girls are so tight off the field culture-wise, it’s like a family … they stuck to the game plan and got the two points.
“We took a lot of lessons away from (round one), and we take a few more away today, you can’t let teams back into a game like that, especially the Roosters, but I’m really happy for the girls.”
A comfortable Canberra win looked on the cards when captain Simaima Taufa made it 18-0 with her barging effort on 47 minutes, before three Roosters’ tries in nine minutes set up a grandstand finish at 18-14 with eight minutes to play.
Winger Brydie Parker had opened the floodgates by scoring in the corner, with a 90m run from five-eighth Tarryn Aiken and a barge-over from hooker Keeley Davis getting the Roosters right back in it.
But Raiders back-rower Monalisa Soliola sealed the win six minutes from time, put through by Ash Quinlan for the 24-14 lead.
Kemp’s impact off the bench probably earned her player of the match honours, churning out 111m, four tackle busts and three offloads to go with her try.
In Saturday’s second game, St George Illawarra also opened their season account with a commanding 38-12 win over Parramatta at WIN Stadium.
Exciting centre Cortez Te Pou became the third player to bag a try-scoring double on debut, with fullback and player-of-the-match Teagan Berry and winger Margot Vella also crossing twice for the Dragons.
A prolific try-scorer, Te Pou ran in four on debut for Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand in 2018 before making the switch from rugby union to join Jamie Soward’s Dragons this year.
Prop Roxy Murdoch and five-eighth Tyla Nathan-Wong scored their other tries as the Dragons rebounded stylishly from last week’s season-opening 32-16 defeat to Newcastle.
Gold Coast hooker Lauren Brown has landed a 77th-minute golden point field goal to secure a thrilling 17-16 NRLW win over Brisbane.
Brown, who came off the bench, was brought on by coach Karyn Murphy specifically for that purpose and she stepped up with a cool 25m shot after a sublime pass from dummy-half by Brittany Breayley-Nati.
“We brought Loz (Brown) on for that reason,” Murphy said.
“We had done a few scenarios during the week. The girls got into position for Loz and Brittany has got a really nice ball.
“I’m still getting my breath after that one. It was super exciting and I am so proud of the girls.”
Evania Pelite is tackled. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Titans five-eighth Chantay Kira-Ratu had missed an earlier shot at the end of normal time and Brisbane No.6 Gayle Broughton also missed at the end of the first period of extra time.
Gold Coast fielded the youngest halves pairing in NRLW history with 18-year-old duo Kira-Ratu and Sienna Lofipo doing themselves proud to keep the side undefeated after two rounds.
“They are confident kids. I had every bit of confidence in those two to do the job and they have got a massive future,” Murphy said.
The Broncos started on fire with centre Shenae Ciesiolka sending winger Lauren Dam over in the corner.
Veteran half Ali Brigginshaw lobbed a chip that a flying Ciesiolka caught on the full and then put fullback Hayley Maddick over and it was 10-nil.
Titans winger Emily Bass and fullback Evania Pelite then scored to make it level at the break.
Broughton broke the game open with a 40m run to the tryline in the 42nd minute.
Titans prop and reigning club player of the year Shannon Mato held up a pass like a playmaker to send fellow prop Jessika Elliston over under the posts against her former club to make it 16-all, which is how it stayed until Brown’s golden point heroics.
Broncos coach Scott Prince was disappointed with his side’s lack of discipline after two consecutive losses to start the season, but said they could turn it around.
“I am very confident. The effort is there and that’s great,” he said.
© AAP
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