NRLW pre-season: All you need to know

NRLW clubs will take centre stage in pre-season trials this weekend, with teams using the matches to test combinations and unveil new talent.

Newly appointed Broncos skipper, Tamika Upton, is eager to see her side’s preparation transfer on to the field.

“We're at the back end of the pre-season now, and everyone's grateful for that after all the hard work, but we've got a few more weeks to refine things,” Upton said.

The Broncos will travel to Christchurch to face the Warriors, coming up against several familiar faces. Among them are former teammates Gayle Broughton and Mele Hufanga, who were key players in last year's premiership win.

“It'll be interesting seeing them on the other side,” Upton said. “We've got a few girls putting on the jersey for the first time, which is always special."

A plethora of new signings and emerging talent are set to feature across the weekend, including rugby sevens converts Teagan Levi (Titans), Sidney Taylor (Knights) and Madi Ashby (Sharks).

Among the big names to have switched clubs are Jillaroos halback Jesse Southwell (Broncos) and forward Keilee Joseph (Eels), former NSW playmaker Kirra Dibb (Knights) and young gun fullback Montaya Hudson (Dragons).

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs

Friday June 19, 6:15 pm at Eric Tweedle Stadium 

Eels: Coach Steve Georgallis will look to assess a mix of experienced and new recruits, headlined by premiership-winning Jillaroos forward Keilee Joseph and Layne Morgan, who has joined the NRLW from the Queensland Reds. Tarsha Gale graduates Tia Matthews and Aaliyah Soufan will make their club debuts, running out alongside senior players such as skipper Mahalia Murphy and vice-captain Abbi Church.

Bulldogs: Key signings Tamika Jones and Daynah Nankivell will have their first taste of NRLW after making the switch from rugby union. Co-captain Tayla Preston, who has re-committed to the club until the end of the 2028 season, heads a core of experienced players, while coach Brayden Wiliame will use the trial to assess talent from the club's strong junior pathways in his new 24-player extended squad.

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights

Saturday June 20; 11:30am, Belconnen Stadium

Raiders: Coach Darren Borthwick is set to rotate his full squad in the club's first pre-season trial since joining the NRL. Dally M Team of the Year winger Sheridan Gallagher (Knights), centre Bobbi Law (Dragons) and fullback Krystal Blackwell (Cowboys) headline a fresh list of inclusions. Other new faces include Ellie Brander, Grace Kukutai, Charlotte Basham and Evie McGrath.

Knights: The match will give coach Ben Jeffries an opportunity to test new spine combinations. Six new signings will make their club debuts, including halfback Kira Dibb, centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti and forwards Amelia Pasikala and Nakia Davis-Welsh. Sidney Taylor and fellow cross-code convert Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa will play their first NRLW matches. Jefferies has placed a strong focus on team connection, including a camp on Worimi Country, to prepare the Knights for the NRLW season.

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans

Saturday, June 20; 12:30pm; Jack Manski Oval, Townsville

Cowboys: Cook Islands international Lydia Turua-Quedley will play in the halves as coach Ricky Henry looks to replace the departed Kirra Dibb, who has signed with the Knights. Henry will include his State of Orgin players in the trial to add experience to the side, including captain Emma Manzlemann. Fullback Charlize Lloyd-Phillips and winger Kayla Jackson are set to make their club debuts.

Titans:  Coach Karyn Murphy will test out her new spine, with rugby sevens convert Teagan Levi to make her club debut alongside Jillaroos and Maroons star Lauren Brown in the halves. Dragons recruit Indie Bostock will line-up on the wing, alongside the return of Evania Isa'ako - playing her first game back after the birth of her daughter last year. Maroons outside back Ivana Lolesio has been shifted to the back-row alongside fellow centre Sarina Masaga. Samoa fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati, who made her Origin debut for Queensland in the recently completed series, will also feature as the Titans seek to retain the Brittany Breayley-Nati-Jenni-Sue Hoepper Shield.