NRLW Match Preview: Raiders v Roosters

Author: Brielle Sciacca
Timestamp: Wed 26 Jul 2023, 03:16 PM

The Raiders NRLW team will take on the Roosters this Saturday for Women in League Round at GIO Stadium Canberra for a 12:45pm kick-off.

This will be the first home game for the NRLW side and will be played in a double-header with the NRL match being played directly after.

The Raiders went down last weekend losing to the Sharks 28-14 in their first ever game but will be looking to get the win this weekend in front of the home crowd.

Raiders winger Madison Bartlett scored a double in the game against the Sharks, bringing her back up to the top of the NRLW try scoring list.

Emma Barnes also scored in the match in what was her NRLW debut, with six other players playing their first NRLW match.

There have been no changes to the Raiders side ahead of this weekend’s match.

The Raiders are coming up against the Roosters who defeated the Broncos 36-18 last weekend.

Jess Sergis and Corban Baxter both scored doubles in the round one game.

There has only been one change for the Roosters with Otesa Pule moving into the second row with Amber Hall injured and Lexi Kiriwi moving onto the bench.

The Roosters are currently sitting in second place on the ladder.

This will be the first time the two teams meet in what will be a historical affair in the Raiders first home game at GIO Stadium.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 29 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie Parker
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-Reti

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Mackenzie Wiki

Centre for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah Tungai

Winger for Roosters is number 17 Joeli Morris
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn Kelleher

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-Sines

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Boyle
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Otesa Pule
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden Burton
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Pani Hopoate
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Lexi Kiriwi
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Tara Reinke

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Teuila Fotu-Moala

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Elise Smith

Replacement for Roosters is number 19 Lily Rogan

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 9/13/2023 7:26:07 AM

Key Match Ups

Zahara Temara v Tarryn Aiken

Zahara Temara has had an impeccable NRLW career so far with her first five seasons being played with the Roosters before joining the Raiders this season.

She has played the most games in the NRLW, with this weekend marking her 26th appearance.

Temara has also had a great representative career so far, playing halfback for Queensland in this year’s winning series and also featuring in the Jillaroos and the New Zealand Maori All Stars.

Earlier this year, Temara had an impressive season playing for the Burleigh Bears with the team taking out the BMD premiership in Queensland.

Temara brings great leadership to the club, working alongside Simaima Taufa to captain the side.

She will be a force to be reckoned with after an outstanding performance last weekend despite the side going down to the Sharks.

Temara is only three points away from being the first player to make 100 points in NRLW history which she could take this weekend.

Temara will be coming up against Tarryn Aiken who played alongside her as the halves pairing for the Queensland side earlier this year.

Tarryn Aiken much like Zahara has had a great career as well having very successful seasons at the Broncos at the start of her career before moving to the Roosters this year.

This will be an incredible matchup between these two players this weekend.

Simaima Taufa v Keilee Joseph

Simaima Taufa also brings a wealth of experience to the Raiders side much like her co-captain Zahara Temara.

A former Roosters player as well, Taufa has had a great run in representative football as well representing the NSW Blues and the Jillaroos.

Taufa has been in the women’s game since 2014 and has featured in all five NRLW seasons and she also won the Dally M Medal in 2017.

Taufa showed off her talents in last weekend’s loss managing to control and manage the team as well as boosting her numbers in defence. Taufa made 40 tackles in last week’s game, and has now made 751 tackles in her career which is the most in the competition.

Keilee Joseph is a huge enforcer for the Roosters, coming into her third NRLW season.

Joseph played her part in her side’s win last weekend over the Broncos scoring a try and making eight tackle breaks.

Joseph played head-to-head against Taufa in Queensland’s win over the Blues in this year’s Women’s State of Origin.

The 21-year-old has played at the Roosters her whole career and has made quite an impact on her side since her debut.

This will be a hard-hitting matchup with lots of eyes on these two as they go face-to-face.