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Sharks v Cowboys: Taylor made for fullback; Goldthorp back in business

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The Sharks host the Cowboys in an early Saturday morning match and will have a spring in their step coming off some strong form in their trial game.

Cronulla put on a healthy lead in their season warm up match against the Roosters before resting their big guns as their opposition came back to draw the game 20-20.

The Cowboys also had a positive trial experience, winning the inaugural Breayley-Nati - Hoepper Shield with a 28-12 victory over Gold Coast Titans in Cairns. North Queensland halves pairing Tahlulah Tillett and Kirra Dibb were on song early, steering their forward pack around the park.

New coach Ricky Henry has named the duo to again spark for their season opener, with Dibb’s time in New South Wales helping get the experienced halfback ready for competition.

Henry has also called on off-season signing Jakiya Whitfeld for her first appearance in Cowboys colours. 

For the Sharks, coach Tony Herman has confirmed international centre Tiana Penitani as captain after leading the team in their inaugural 2023 season.

The reigning Sharks NRLW Player of the Year will provide plenty of spark for the side who will be working to improve on their sixth-placed finish in their maiden season last year. 

Team News

Sharks: Cronulla have named a star-studded line-up for their season opener, with young gun Jada Taylor at fullback and Blues custodian Emma Tonegato pairing with halfback Tayla Preston at five-eighth. Norths Devils Georgia Hannaway signing has been named on the interchange bench, with the former rugby sevens talent helping guide her BMD Premiership side to the grand final this year. Fresh from her State of Origin campaign, centre Tiana Penitani will again captain the side after serving in the role in their inaugural season last year. There were no changes when the side was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off.

Cowboys: Off-season recruit Jakiya Whitfeld will start in the centres, after last year claiming NRLW Dally M Winger of the Year honours. New coach Rick Henry has named English star Francesca Goldthorp to reprise her role as fullback after injury cut short her season last year. A number of players involved in the recent State of Origin series will also feature, including Blues squad member Kirra Dibb at halfback, while Maroons Emma Manzelmann start as hooker with Makenzie Weale named at prop and youngster Lily Peacock to come off the bench. North Queensland will start 1-17 according to the team named 60 minutes before kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal Blackwell
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jakiya Whitfeld
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Vitalina Naikore
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Tonegato
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah Tillett
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra Dibb

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha Harden
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 China Polata
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Tiana  Raftstrand-Smith
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Georgia Hannaway
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 9 Emma  Manzelmann
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe Saunders
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Peacock
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Vanessa Foliaki
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Harata Butler
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Manilita Takapautolo
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Shaniah Power

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • Sharks finished sixth in their inaugural NRLW season last year while the Cowboys finished ninth (second last). 
  • Cowboys have a new coach at the helm for 2024, with Kiwi Ferns mentor Ricky Henry taking over from Ben Jeffries.
  • The Sharks won two and lost two at PointsBet Stadium in 2023.
  • The Cowboys play at PointsBet Stadium for the first time.
  • The Sharks had the best attacking and defensive records among the four new NRLW clubs in 2023.

Additional stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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