The Canberra Raiders NRLW team will take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in what will be a fierce encounter at Wollongong on Saturday morning, with the game set to commence at 11:05am.
The Raiders recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in NRLW history and will look to go three in a row against the Dragons who lost 30-0 to the Roosters last weekend.
The Raiders 28-22 win over the Tigers in Canberra last week saw tries all across the board for the team, who are currently sitting fifth on the ladder with only one loss to their name.
Monalisa Soliola and Cheyelle Robins-Reti have both scored two tries in as many games as they continue their raid amongst their opponents.
Mackenzie Wiki has been ruled out of the game against the Dragons with a mid-foot sprain and is to be replaced by Alanna Dummett who will make her NRLW debut this weekend.
The 19-year-old from Bega was only brought into the NRLW top squad last week following Felice Quinlan’s season-ending ankle injury. Dummett has played in the Raiders Tarsha Gale side for the past two seasons including captaining last season.
Dummett is the only change for the Raiders from last week’s lineup, meanwhile, the Dragons have made a few changes with Shenai Lendill named on the wing as Jamilee Bright returns to centre.
Renee Targett will start at hooker for the Dragons with Karlaa Cowan moving to lock and Alexis Tauaneai to prop.
Match: Dragons v Raiders
Round 4 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan BerryFullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii Nicholls
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Winger for Dragons is number 2 Margot VellaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele BrowneCentre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Raiders is number 4 Alanna Dummett
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Shenai LendillWinger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla KingFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Alexis TauaneaiProp for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-Sines
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee TargettHooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
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Prop for Dragons is number 17 Maddison WeatherallProp for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Sara Sautia2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jamilee Bright2nd Row for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Kaarla CowanLock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-KatoaInterchange for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali HopkinsInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Sarah RiordanInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Tara Reinke
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Roxy MurdochInterchange for Raiders is number 21 Ua Ravu
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 19 Cheynoah AmoneReplacement for Raiders is number 19 Ahlivia Ingram
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Dave Munro
Last updated:
Key Match-ups
Apii Nicholls v Teagan Berry
The experienced fullback Apii Nicholls will come up against young gun Teagan Berry in a battle of the number ones.
Berry’s speed and agility make her tough to handle for her opposition, making 21 tackle breaks and scoring four tries in three games this season.
The 21-year-old is in her fourth season of her NRLW career and comes up against Nicholls who is also in her fourth season having played for Warriors and Titans in previous years.
Nicholls has also played in two World Cups for New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, and has two try assists for the Raiders so far this season.
Both players' creativity in attack and determination in defence makes them a rivalry not to be missed.
Zahara Temara v Raecene McGregor
It is the battle of the halves and captains this week as Zehara Temara and Raecene McGregor clash in a crucial game for both teams.
McGregor comes off a stellar season last year taking out the Dally M Medal and making a World Cup Final appearance as she comes from the Roosters to join the Dragons this season.
The three-time NRLW premiership winner adds some much-needed experience to the Dragons outfit as does former Kiwi and Roosters teammate Temara, who lines up opposite her this weekend.
Temara has been leading the Raiders’ attacking flare this season, providing three try assists in their win against the Tigers last week and a massive 362 kicking metres against the Roosters the week before.
The 26-year-old from Rotorua, New Zealand has been the much-needed link for the Raiders team and hopes to continue her leadership for the season ahead.
