The Canberra Raiders NRLW team kick off their second season in the competition this weekend when they travel to Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday for an intriguing round one contest against the Wests Tigers.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Raiders
1st Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
After both missing finals in their inaugural season, the Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers will be looking for a strong start to their second campaigns with the Sunday afternoon's encounter a great opportunity.
Talking Points
- Serena Naitokatoka has been named to make her Raiders debut on the interchange, becoming the first Fijian in the NRLW side’s history and Raider #26.
- Inaugural co-captains Zahara Temara and Simaima Taufa have been named once again to lead the side in the 2024 season.
- Wests Tigers centre Leianne Tufuga scored three tries in last year's Round three clash between the two sides.
- In their first season in the NRLW, the Canberra Raiders narrowly missed out finals finishing in fifth with five wins, meanwhile the Wests Tigers finished in eighth securing two wins in their debut season.
Last Time They Met
The Canberra Raiders defeated the Wests Tigers 28-22 in round three last season at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
Key Matchup
Apii Nicholls vs Botille Vette-Welsh
The battle between the two representative fullbacks will be instrumental in deciding the contest on Sunday afternoon, with both players electric when they get their hands on the footy.
Entering her fifth NRLW season and second with the Canberra Raiders, Apii Nicholls has established herself as one of the best fullbacks in the competition and will be instrumental for the Raiders success on Sunday.
The New Zealand international had an impressive season last year, setting up four tries with the main feature of her game being her running ability, averaging 146 metres a game last year.
Nicholls opposite number Botille Vette-Welsh will lead the Wests Tigers alongside Kezie Apps this season, with slowing the Australian Jillaroo and NSW representative down a key to victory for the Raiders.
Last season, Vette-Welsh was a standout for the Wests Tigers scoring two tries and setting up a further six in 2023.
The Tigers fullback was also instrumental carrying the football, running for 93 metres per game last season and having a career high of 160 running metres per game in 2022.
Either side will be looking to shut down the opposition fullback’s ability to break the game open.
Head to Head
This will be the second matchup between the two sides, with the Canberra Raiders holding the only victory.
