The Broader Game: McGregor to miss five months

The Broncos have received a blow to their Telstra Women's Premiership preparations with Raecene McGregor set to be sidelined for up to five months due to a shoulder injury.

McGregor will undergo a shoulder reconstruction next week after suffering another setback while playing for the Wests Tigers in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership.

The 23-year-old originally dislocated her shoulder in a freak accident while celebrating her sister Page's try during the Harvey Norman All-Stars game in February.

After missing more than a month to manage the injury, McGregor made a successful return to the field on Easter Monday. However, she was taken from the field a week later with a recurrence.

Despite the diagnosis, McGregor is holding out hope of an early return in time for the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership and World Cup scheduled for later in the year.

McGregor has been a mainstay at the Broncos and in Kiwi Ferns line-ups in recent years, winning the NRLW title twice at Red Hill while claiming the player of the World Cup 9s tournament in 2019.

The Broncos made the most of McGregor's second season at the club last year by moving Ali Brigginshaw to lock in a move that allowed rising star Tarryn Aiken the chance to play in the halves.

The experiment worked a treat for Broncos coach Kelvin Wright with the side going on to win their third title in as many seasons. 

Future of NRLW high on agenda

Leading NRLW players who make up the RLPA's newly created women's advisory group joined ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on Wednesday to continue discussions around the game's next steps with expansion.

The players are understood to have been buoyed by the progress being made towards making the fourth competition bigger and better when it starts later this year.

Working towards securing their first collective bargaining agreement also remains a priority, while future State of Origin and international matches continue to be discussed with further announcements to be made in the coming weeks.

New Zealand club competition kicks off  

A core group of Kiwi international stars will begin their club seasons in Auckland this weekend with the ARL Premiership kicking off on Saturday.

The regular season will run for 10 rounds before a three-week finals format. 

Former Dragons NRLW forward Maitua Feterika will lead Pakuranga in their clash against Ponsonby, while Manurewa will start their season against Te Atatu.

Manurewa will be led by Kiwi Ferns captain Krystal Rota and feature wrecking ball Ngatokotoru Arakua, who missed last year's NRLW due to border restrictions.

Richmond takes on Pt Chevalier to complete the round with powerhouse Broncos prop Amber Hall and Neta Nu'uausala named for the visitors.

Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry will be helping out the Richmond club. 

Moran makes BHP return

Former Jillaroos playmaker Caitlin Moran turned out for Wests Brisbane in the BHP premiership last week in a welcome sight after a stop-start return to the senior level in recent seasons.

The talented 24-year-old came off the bench for the Panthers in their win over the Tigers and will start against Tweed this weekend, who have Broncos star Tarryn Aiken firing in the halves.

Moran was once a leading half in the game, guiding the Jillaroos to their first World Cup win on home soil in 2017 with a try and field goal at Suncorp Stadium.

The former NSW representative signed to the Broncos for their inaugural NRLW campaign in 2018 until she ruptured her ACL in a match leading into the competition.

The injury ruled her out of playing for 12 months, while she has moved between states in recent season which has affected her ability to commit to the game.

Finals locked in for NSW grassroots

The Raiders have announced the NSW Country Championships final between Riverina and Newcastle Maitland region will be played as a curtain-raiser to the NRL fixture in Wagga Wagga on May 8.

Newcastle Maitland beat the North Coast Bulldogs in the semi-final to qualify against Riverina with the Raiders hosting the Knights in the main game in a triple treat for fans in attendance.

The Country Championships featured 10 teams across regional NSW and were split into two pools with two rounds and a semi-final.

NRLW stars Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis are among those who have featured in the Country Championships previously, while Dragons pair Ellie Johnston and Takilele Katoa are recent graduates from the system.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Academy Roosters will play the Dragons in the Tarsha Gale Cup final at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

Jillaroo ties the knot

Sending out a big congratulations to Jillaroos star Corban McGregor, who married husband Matt Baxter in the Hunter Valley last week.

Australian teammate Isabelle Kelly and Kiwi Ferns winger Kiana Takairangi were among those in McGregor's bridal party, while several other NRLW stars were in attendance to celebrate the occasion.

The highlight of the night, however, belonged to McGregor's son Carter, who led the way with a passionate haka in respect to the newlyweds.

McGregor couldn't have timed the event any better with her club side Cronulla enjoying a bye round in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership.

The second-placed Sharks face the Rabbitohs at Pointsbet Stadium this weekend.

 

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.