The Raiders NRLW team will take on the Parramatta Eels this weekend at GIO Stadium Canberra on Sunday at 1:45pm, with the side looking to continue their winning streak.
The Raiders are coming off the back of three straight wins after defeating the Dragons last weekend in a nail-biting golden point win.
Simaima Tafua was a standout in last weekend’s win, scoring an amazing try and recording 197 run metres, 36 post-contact metres and making 45 tackles.
Elise Smith is set to make her NRLW debut for the Raiders this weekend after being named in the second row, while Ua Ravu has been named on the bench.
After the cracking start to the season the Raiders side currently sit in third place on the ladder and are on equal points to the first-placed Roosters side.
Their opponents in the Eels are currently sitting in 10th place not having a win under their belt in the first four games so far.
Parramatta has had one major change ahead of the game with Elise Albert not being named after aggravating an injury to her calf.
The Eels side went down last weekend to the Broncos in a 22-12 loss.
Despite their win record this season the Eels are not to be written off with massive depth within the side that will be looking to make an impression on the top-end Raiders team.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison BartlettWinger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-RetiCentre for Eels is number 3 Kimberley Hunt
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Alanna DummettCentre for Eels is number 4 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah TungaiWinger for Eels is number 5 Monique Donovan
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara TemaraFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh QuinlanHalfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-SinesProp for Eels is number 8 Talesha O'Neill
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté TemaraHooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie HolymanProp for Eels is number 10 Madeline Jones
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Elise Smith2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Amelia Mafi
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 17 Monalisa Soliola2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Eels is number 15 Tyla Amiatu
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Ua RavuInterchange for Eels is number 14 Capri Paekau
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Eels is number 16 Shannon Muru
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina MatuaInterchange for Eels is number 18 Taneka Todhunter
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Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Ahlivia IngramInterchange for Eels is number 19 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Petesa LioReplacement for Eels is number 21 Lindsay Tui
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Key Match-Ups
Ash Quinlan v Rachael Pearson
The classic match-up of the halves has come around again with two key players from each team going head-to-head.
Ash Quinlan has shown her worth for the Raiders side with two try assists and three line breaks recorded for this season.
Quinlan not only has a great record in attack, she also has an impeccable defence with an 87.1% tackle efficiency and some big hits in each of her games.
This will be a big game for Quinlan as she comes up against her former team and she will be looking to wreak havoc in her new green jersey.
Quinlan will come up against Rachael Pearson who is the Eels captain and will play her second game of the season on Sunday.
Pearson has had a great start despite this weekend only being her second of 2023, with the captain kicking two conversions from two and gaining 236 kicking meters to her name.
Playing the full 70 minutes last week she also made her mark in defence with an 88% tackle efficiency.
These two will be sure to put on a halfback show when they go head-to-head on Sunday for the round five clash.
Chanté Temara v Rueben Cherrington
The battle of the hookers will be in full show on Sunday as these two take on each other at full force.
Temara has brought a great creative edge for the Raiders and has slotted into the team smoothly.
The 22-year-old scored her first try for the season in last weekend’s golden point win and made 32 tackles along with a line break in what was an impressive showing.
Temara has a great track record in defence with a stunning 90.5% tackle efficiency so far this season.
She will be coming up against Rueben Cherrington who is sitting on an equal percentage in defence also carrying a 90.5% tackle efficiency rate.
Cherrington also scored her first try of the season last weekend and made 37 tackles.
Cherrington, like Temara, also stands in the same sisterly team with both players playing alongside their sisters this season.
This will be a cracking affair when the two go head-to-head an it will be interesting to see who comes out number one come Sunday.
