The 2022 NRLW season kicks off with a clash between two sides who went toe-to-toe in the 2021 campaign, with the Roosters aiming to get their title defence off to the best possible start.
A Zahara Temara field goal was all that separated them the last time they met, and that 19-18 victory turned out to be a season-defining one for the Roosters who went on to claim a finals spot ahead of the Eels on points differential, en route to winning their maiden Premiership.
A couple of the key figures from this rivalry will be missing, headlined by fullbacks Corban Baxter (pregnancy) and Botille Vette-Welsh (knee), but a host of new faces will add plenty of excitement for both sides.
Parramatta won their only match at CommBank Stadium last season, 24-14 over the Titans, while the Roosters didn’t play at the venue in the 2021 season.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes. Former New Zealand Sevens star Gayle Broughton is the new fullback at Parramatta, replacing the injured Botille Vette-Welsh, and will make her NRLW debut. AFLW convert Brooke Walker gets first shot at the No.6 jersey, while off-season signing Vanessa Foliaki and co-captain Simaima Taufa both start in the forward pack.
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-17 with no late changes. Veteran fullback Samantha Bremner is back after a couple of years out due to pregnancy, joining a talented backline which includes New South Wales star Jessica Sergis and skipper Isabelle Kelly. After making her Test debut for Tonga earlier this year, Kalosipani Hopoate will play her first NRLW game off the bench.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Gayle BroughtonFullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha Bremner
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Tess StainesWinger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne Tufuga
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Abbi ChurchCentre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Rikeya HorneWinger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Brooke-Morgan WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Zahara Temara
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Losana LutuHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Filomina HanisiProp for Roosters is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Seli MailangiHooker for Roosters is number 9 Destiny Brill
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Ellie JohnstonProp for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Shaniah Power
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Kennedy CherringtonInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn Kelleher
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brooke AndersonInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Shawden Burton
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Najvada GeorgeInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Kalosipani Hopoate
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Rima ButlerInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Otesa Pule
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Ruby-Jean Kennard-EllisReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Joeli Morris
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Player to watch: Isabelle Kelly
The newly-announced Roosters skipper comes off a brilliant 2021 NRLW campaign, and earlier this year was recognised as the best player in the Women’s State of Origin match as well. Across seven appearances for the Tricolours last season Kelly averaged five tackle breaks, while her average of 60 post-contact metres per match was bettered only by Millie Boyle.
Stat attack
The Eels were among the best defensive units in the competition last year and missed the second-fewest tackles (23.2 per game on average), ranking them behind only the Dragons (21.9 per game on average). They’ll be tested in that area this weekend, with the Roosters having averaged 26 tackle breaks per game last year.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
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