The NRLW continues tonight with the Brisbane Broncos taking on the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:05pm AEST.
In an abbreviated competition such as the NRLW, every match is crucial. Losing one match puts your season in danger. Two losses and your season is over. That is the position the Roosters finds themselves this Saturday night, when they must beat last year’s premiers, the Broncos, to keep their season alive.
The Broncos got their season off to a winning start last weekend, comfortably beating the Dragons 14-4. Halves Ali Brigginshaw and Raecene McGregor created plenty of chances behind a dominant pack and the Broncos showed why they are still undefeated in the NRLW.
In team changes, Julia Robinson returns on the wing, replacing Tamika Upton who picked up a leg injury last weekend. Chelsea Lenarduzzi has recovered from an ankle injury and has been named on the interchange bench.
The Roosters suffered an upset 16-12 loss to the Warriors last weekend. Whilst the Roosters back 5 made plenty of metres coming out of their half, the Roosters pack was disappointing.
As a result, the last tackle options were made under pressure and stars of the game like Isabelle Kelly simply didn’t get enough ball.
Simone Smith replaces Mel Howard in the halves. Backrower Hannah Southwell has been named but will need to pass a number of concussion protocols to take her place on the field.
Prediction
With their season on the line, the Roosters will be up for this game.
The bad news for them is that they come up against a team that hasn’t lost a game since the NRLW was established.
With such a short season, the Broncos have hit the ground running and I expect them to win in a tight one.
Broncos by 4
When: 5:05pm AEST
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: 9GEM, Fox League
Online: Livepass, Kayo
Brisbane Broncos
1. Chelsea Baker 2. Julia Robinson 3. Amy Turner 4. Amber Pilley 5. Meg Ward 6. Raecene McGregor 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Millie Boyle 9. Lavinia Gould 10. Amber Hall 11. Annette Brander 12. Tazmin Gray 13. Rona Peters
Interchange 14. Tarryn Aiken 15. Steph Hancock 16. Mariah Storch 17. Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Sydney Roosters
1. Corban McGregor 2. Karina Brown 3. Shontelle Stowers 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Kiana Takairangi 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Simone Smith 8. Ruan Sims 9. Nita Maynard 10. Vanessa Foliaki 11. Tallisha Harden 12. Hannah Southwell 13. Simaima Taufa-Kautai
Interchange: 14. Zahara Temara 15. Rebecca Young 16. Aliti Namoce 17. Caitlan Johnston
thomas c
Guest
The broncos lost a bunch of key players and i think changed coach. Don't seem to have missed a step. The injuries in this one were a little concerning. I'm pretty sure there was something that looked suspiciously like an eye gouge from one of the roosters forwards as well.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Sure looks that way David. A very good team!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the call tonight. We are not far away now from the Storm vs Eels. Good night
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' The Broncos were way too good for the Roosters tonight with a 20-0 win. The Broncos pack dominated and Brigginshaw had a day out creating many chances. On the pack of that performance, they would have to be hot favourite to go back to back. Broncos 20 Roosters 0
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Another entertaining match. Can't honestly see the Bronco's being beaten - even by the Warriors who have been very good.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' Another turnover against the Roosters and that's Full Time at AAMI Park Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
60' Turner has knocked on so the Roosters have the ball Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
60' Kelly takes the run from the scrum before Stowers knocks on Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
59' Good run from Ward. Gould goes from dummy half before McGregor finds touch with her kick Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
58' Simone Smith is now being treated but will play on. Good run from Harden. Maynard works from dummy half. Dibbs kick is taken by Baker Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
57' Great return from Baker. Peters' ball to Hall is called forward and Roosters will get the feed Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
56' Kelly makes good yards under plenty of pressure. Smith makes a half break. Dibb's kick is taken by Baker. Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
56' Brigginshaw is leaving the field but it seems more for precaution Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
55' Good yards from Hall. Pilley with an inside run goes close. Brigginshaw finds Turner. Play breaks down on the last and the Roosters will get the ball. Brigginshaw is being treated for a leg injury but seems ok Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
54' From the penalty, the Broncos will go on the attack Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
54' She is sitting up and is ok to continue Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
54' McGregor makes a break and the Roosters are penalised again for an illegal strip. Raecene McGregor is being treated for a neck injury Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
53' Aiken goes from dummy half. Penalty in the ruck against Sims. Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
52' Takairangi works it forward. Good run from Taufa. Kelly's kick is eventually cleaned up by Baker Broncos 20 Roosters 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
51' Aiken hit hard by Southwell. Brigginshaw's kick finds McGregor Broncos 20 Roosters 0