NRLW Match Preview: Raiders v Tigers

With a new high score for the Raiders’ and a scoreline recording the most points ever scored in an NRLW match, last weekend’s 56-24 demolition of the Bulldogs in Belmore was a day to celebrate in Canberra.

During the match, the Raiders had nine players who ran for more than 100 metres with centre Leianne Tufuga leading the charge with a monstrous 169 metres.

Once again, skipper and halfback Zahara Temara stood tall for the green machine, with four try assists and three-line break assists in the halves. Temara was also nothing short of surgical in front of the uprights, notching eight conversions to break the club record for goals in a match.

This weekend, they’ll take on a Tiger’s outfit who came away from their round 8 match with less accolades – falling 30-8 at home to the Cowboys in Leichhardt.

As the Raiders begin to pick up steam, a home ground advantage should put the girls in good stead to pick up a win this Saturday.

Talking Points

• This weekend marks Zahara Temara’s 50th match in the NRLW.
• Darrin Borthwick names an unchanged lineup this week, down to the 18th player
• Leianne Tufuga broke 14 tackles last week against the Tigers and now sits at 4th on the overall ladder (38)
• Simaima Taufa, Isabella Waterman and Jordyn Preston all bagged doubles last weekend.
• The Raiders have scored 104 points in their last three games
• Raiders winger Mackenzie Wiki is on a three-game scoring streak

Last time they met:

Last time these two teams met, the Raiders defeated the Tigers 32-12 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney during round 1, 2024.

Key Match-Up: Sophie Holyman v Sarah Togatuki

A powerhouse prop and state-of-origin representative, Sophie Holyman had a monstrous effort against the Bulldogs last weekend and was instrumental in a scoreline sending waves throughout the NRLW.

Running for a season-high 155 metres – 66 of them post contact – Holyman stopped for no one in her 49 minutes on the field, all whilst sticking 95% of her tackles.

But this effort against the Bulldogs is nothing new for her, as Holyman has averaged a 90%+ tackle efficiency every year since 2023, a testament to her strong presence in the Raiders’ forward pack.

Standing against her, Tiger’s prop Sarah Togatuki is a jack-of-all-trades in the Wests’ forward pack.

In defence, she averages an eye-watering 97.6% tackle efficiency, but notably her total tackles fall short of Holyman’s 230 for the season.

She’s also shown herself to be deadly with ball in hand, averaging 150 running metres per game this season and crossing the line for six tries.

On the representative stage, Togatuki has run out for the NSW Blues 11 times.

Two powerful forwards at the top of their game will butt heads at GIO Stadium this weekend in what promises to be a brutal battle through the middle.

Holyman’s raw power and relentless work rate will be pitted against Togatuki’s defensive steel and attacking versatility, setting the stage for a showdown that could decide the arm wrestle up front.

With both sides relying heavily on their packs to generate momentum, both forwards have demonstrated they can rise to occasion in both attack and defence.

Head-to-head:

The Raiders have played the Tigers twice, winning both of them for a 100% efficiency rate.