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Wests Tigers v Raiders: Trio handed debuts; Taufa, Temara to lead

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The Canberra Raiders are out to make a winning start to their second NRLW season as they travel to Sydney to face the Wests Tigers. 

The teams will clash in a Sunday afternoon match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, with a 1.45pm kick-off in the final game of the first round of this year's competition. 

The Raiders were impressive in their inaugural NRLW campaign last season, however they fell just short of a finals berth and finished fifth on the ladder. 

The goal this year is to progress to the semi-finals with coach Darren Borthwick able to build considerable continuity with his squad. 

Simaima Taufa and Zahara Temara will again lead the side while Madison Bartlett and Apii Nicholls will provide attacking firepower out wide. 

The Wests Tigers also made solid gains in their first NRLW season last year, finishing eighth with two wins. 

Coach Brett Kimmorley is looking to build on a solid foundation in 2024, with the Raiders clash their first opportunity to showcase their improvement. 

The Wests Tigers fell to Brisbane 28-16 in a trial earlier this month however there were plenty of positive signs for the season. 

Co-captains Kezie Apps and Bo Vette-Walsh are two of the most dangerous players in the competition and centre Rikeya Horne has shown she is in try-scoring form with a four-pointer in the trial.

Team News

Wests Tigers: Co-captains Botille Vette-Welsh and Kezie Apps provide the experience for a Tigers side that includes three debutants - Natasha Penitani, Shaianne McGlone and Harmony Crichton.  Forward Tara Reinke will make her Wests Tigers debut against her former club after making the move in the off-season. No late changes, with Jessica Kennedy the replacement player. 

Raiders: Will take the field 1-17. Both of last season's co-captains Simaima Taufa (lock) and Zahara Temara (five-eighth) bring plenty of experience to the side. Temara was part of Queensland's successful Origin squad, while prop Sophie Holyman and interchange forward Grace Kemp were also involved in this year's series. Felice Quinlan and Jaida Faleono remain in the squad after it was reduced to 19 players on Saturday.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii Nicholls
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Harmony Crichton
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Leianne Tufuga
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle  Robins-Reti
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Rikeya Horne
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Mackenzie Wiki
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tess Staines
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Alanna Dummett
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana Lutu
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya  Kelly-Sines
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma Nour
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaianne McGlone
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie Curtain
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Natasha Penitani
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Brooke Talataina
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Sereana  Naitokatoka 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jessica Kennedy
    Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Felice Quinlan

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • Wests Tigers will host their first game at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
  • The Raiders won two and lost two away from home in 2023.
  • Tigers centre Leianne Tufuga scored a hat-trick in last year’s loss to the Raiders.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.