NRLW Match Preview: Raiders v Broncos

Author: Raiders.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 24 Aug 2023, 12:09 PM

The Raiders NRLW side will hit the road this Sunday to take on the Brisbane Broncos as they seek to make it five wins in a row.

The Raiders will be looking to display yet another strong performance in Brisbane this weekend after coming off the back of a strong 28-22 victory over the Eels.

Canberra are currently sitting in third spot on the ladder but are on equal points with the first place Roosters, and will be looking to secure a win and shake up the ladder.

The Broncos have had a lacklustre 2023 campaign so far, having only won two games this season.

Brisbane are coming off the back of a narrow 22-20 loss to the Knights, and the Green Machine will look to continue this trend.

This week the Raiders welcome back Hollie-Mae Dodd into the line-up at second row and Tara Reinke who has been named on the interchange bench.

After a slow start to the season, the Broncos have opted to make some changes ahead of their clash against the Raiders, with Julia Robison named on the wing as she returns from injury and Brianna Clark also retuning to the side as prop.

Jasmine Fogavini, Lavinia Gould, and Tafito Lafaele have all been named as interchange players for Brisbane, and will look to make an impact off the bench in this physical encounter.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Sunday 27 Aug

Full Time

Broncos

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley Maddick

Fullback for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia Robinson

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Raiders is number 22 Mackenzie Wiki
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Lauren Dam

Winger for Raiders is number 21 Jessica Gentle
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Grace Kemp
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Destiny Brill

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Gray

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel

2nd Row for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah Denman

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Lavinia Gould

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ahlivia Ingram
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Tafito Lafaele

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Tara Reinke
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi

Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Petesa Lio
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jasmine Fogavini

Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Ella Ryan

Reserves

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Jada Ferguson

Replacement for Raiders is number 11 Elise Smith

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 9/13/2023 7:26:05 AM

Key Match-Ups

Cheyelle Robins-Reti v Mele Hufanga

These two centres are new additions to the NRLW competition this season, and have both made a name for themselves and proved why they belong at the elite level.

Robins-Reti has been a vital part of Canberra’s NRLW success this season, with her elusive attack, strong runs, and solid defence making her the complete centre.

Robins-Reti has confirmed she is one of the best attacking players in the competition, boasting an impressive three tries in five games, whilst also recording 3 try assists, and a staggering 31 tackle breaks.

Her value in defence is also worth highlighting, having an impressive 87% tackle efficiency for the Green Machine, she will be difficult for Brisbane to contain.

Hufanga has burst out of the gates in her debut NRLW season, and has cemented herself as one of the competition’s biggest attacking threats.

Hufanga has had a successful opening to her NRLW career with six tries in five appearances, she will prove hard to stop on Sunday.

She is also a valuable asset in defence for Brisbane, recording a noble 88.2% tackle efficiency.

Both these rookie centres will be hard to stop when they go head-to-head on Sunday, with this match-up sure to be nothing short of entertaining.

Zahara Temara v Ali Brigginshaw

Both captains, both halfbacks, both veterans of the NRLW competition. These two players are among the best halves in the competition and will go head-to-head on Sunday as they try to orchestrate their side to an important victory.

Temara has been one of the Raiders best players this season through her coordination of play, strong running game, and pinpoint kicking, she has led the side to a successful start of their 2023 campaign.

Temara has continued to perform each week for the Green Machine when she puts boot to ball, forcing five dropouts, kicking 16 conversions and assisting three tries.

Temara has not only gelled her side together in attack, but she has also proved her worth in defence with an 80% tackle efficiency.

Briggenshaw has been an influential player at the Broncos for some time now, earning herself the captain’s armband through her outstanding leadership and smart attacking plays.

Briggenshaw has been one of Brisbane’s biggest attacking assets, scoring three tries in five games whilst also recording two try assists.

The Brisbane skipper is also valuable with the boot, converting 14 goals, averaging 229.6 kicking metres and forcing one dropout.

These two captains will look to take charge of the game and lead their side to victory on Sunday in an important clash that will be full of grit and skill.

Simaima Taufa v Maria Denman

Taufa has brought a wealth of experience to the Raiders inaugural NRLW team and has shown to be a huge factor in Canberra’s success this season.

The experienced lock has not only been a rock in defence with her massive 95.7% tackle efficiency, but she has been an influential compartment in the Raiders attack, scoring two tries in five games.

Brisbane will find it hard to go through the veteran lock as she rallies her side together in defence and sets the tone with her brutal hits and strong runs, recording 15 tackle breaks and 311.2 post contact metres.

Denman has demonstrated that she is an explosive asset for Brisbane’s squad, and the Raiders will need to keep the experienced lock on her radar as she tries to break down the Canberra defence.

Denman is a powerhouse in attack, making 14 tackle breaks, two offloads, and scoring one try so far this season.

The Broncos second rower is workhorse with and without the ball, recording 237.2 post contact metres, an average of 15.8 hit ups, and a 81.6% tackle efficiency.

These two veterans will look to inspire their side to victory on Sunday as they lead by example with some bone rattling tackles and hard runs.