NRLW pre-season wrap: Broncos snatch late win, Roosters triumph

NRLW clubs took centre stage in pre-season trials on the 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 travelled to Christchurch to face the Warriors, coming up against several familiar faces. Among them were former teammates Gayle Broughton and Anetta Nuuausala, who played key roles in last year's grand final win over the Roosters.

A plethora of new signings and emerging talent featured across the weekend, including rugby sevens converts Teagan Levi (Titans), Sidney Taylor (Knights), Sariah Paki (Roosters) 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).

Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks

Fulltime: Sydney Roosters 28 def Cronulla Sharks 4

Australian sevens star Sariah Paki made an immediate impact in her return to rugby league as the Roosters down the Sharks 28-4 in a pre-season trial at Leichhardt Oval.

The Sharks struck first to lead 4-0 at the end of the first 20-minute period, before the Roosters piled on seven unanswered tries.

Paki helped set the tone early in the contest with a thumping tackle on Sharks prop Ellie Johnston, forcing an error and handing the Roosters valuable field position as they searched for their first points.

A 2018 Tarsha Gale Cup premiership winner with Cronulla, Paki found space down the left edge and produced a clever offload to Talea Tonga, who regathered brilliantly before linking with Nikiah Campbell to finish in the corner.

Soon after, Jessica Sergis exploded down the right touchline before stepping back inside and finding Brydie Parker in support, racing away to score beside the posts.

The Tricolours were beginning to find their rhythm and soon added another through a superb cut-out pass from Tonga to Logan Fletcher, who muscled her way through multiple defenders to score in the corner.

Parker and Taneisha Grey were the next to score before Fletcher crossed for the try of the match, soaring above the defence to catch a perfectly weighted kick from Keighley Simpson before planting the ball down spectacularly in the corner.

Fletcher wasn't finished there, and completed her double after Tonga fired a long spiral pass to Jasmin Strange, who drew in the defence before releasing the young winger down the sideline.

For the Sharks, there were impressive early signs as halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu, steered the side to a 4-0 lead after the first third. The Queensland Origin playmaker sat out the rest of the game.

Australian sevens co-captain Madi Ashby came into the halves and played her first game of league since 2018, when she was the Tarsha Gale Cup player of the year with the Sharks.

Another new recruit, China Polata, resumed her Queensland Origin camp combination with five-eighth Georgia Hannaway, and the addition of middle forwards Tegan Dymock and Najvada George strengthened Cronulla’s already imposing pack. 

Sharks 2025 Harvey Norman Grand Final winner Marewa Samson had some good moments, breaking multiple tackles, at one point almost putting Georgia Ravic over in the corner, if not for some desperate Roosters defence.

Coach Tony Herman gave Cronulla’s uncapped NRLW players a chance to test themselves against some of the game’s best in the final two-thirds of the contest, amongst them young sevens convert Milla Elaro, who displayed her skills in her time on the park, highlighted by a line break in the final seconds of the game.

Match report, via sydneyroosters.com.au and sharks.com.au 

Warriors v Brisbane Broncos

Fulltime: Broncos 12 Warriors 10

The Broncos snatched a late try for a comeback win, but the Warriors came away with many positives from their NRLW preseason trial at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium.

Among them was the history-making experience of playing under the roof as well as facing last year’s premiership-winning Broncos.

While a late try and conversion enabled Brisbane to claim a 12-10 comeback win, Warriors head coach Ron Griffiths and his staff were encouraged by what the players delivered.

They put together a slick play for second rower Kaiyah Atai to score in the opening minutes and then defended impressively to keep the Broncos out until the final moments of the half.

The Warriors’ work was marked by physicality, intensity and heavy contact with and without the ball while they scrambled well on their line.

They started the second half as they did the first lighting up with their attack for debutant winger Ocean Tierney to score off a well-worked scrum move.

Back in front 10-6, they protected their advantage until the final stages.

In all six offseason signings were used – Tierney, Gayle Broughton, returning Warrior Netta Nuuausala, Jay Huriwai, Natalia Hickling and Anastasia Seneke all saw time on the field as did 2025 signing Mya Hill-Moana, who missed last season on maternity leave.

For the Broncos, star recruit Jesse Southwell partner Ali Brigginshaw in the halves for the first time, while fellow signings Caitlin Urwin and Lillian Yarrow were included in the starting line-up.

State of Origin representatives Brianna Clark, Jada Ferguson, Romy Teitzel and Chelsea Lenarduzzi also played, while lock Bree Spreadborough returned after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Round 5 last year.

Match report, via warriors.kiwi

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs

Fulltime: Parramatta Eels 36 Canterbury Bulldogs 6

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. Eels team list.

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. Coach Brayden Wiliame will use the trial to assess talent from the club's strong junior pathways in his new 24-player extended squad. Bulldogs team list

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights

Fulltime: Newcastle Knights 22 def Canberra Raiders 10

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. Raiders team list.

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

Fulltime: North Queensland Cowboys 24 def Gold Coast Titans 16.

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 Origin 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. Cowboys team list.

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.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers

Fulltime: Wests Tigers 24 Dragons 8.

Dragons: Coach Nathan Cross will use the trial to assess his new-look squad. Kiwi Ferns lock Brooke Anderson and Queensland Origin centre Shanae Ciesiolka will add experience. Cook Islands prop Lavinia Kitai, secondrower Montana Clifford and 20-year-old fullback Montaya Hudson are set to make their club debuts.

Wests Tigers: All eyes will be on Raecene McGregor as she faces her former club. The 2022 IRL Golden Boot winner comes into the Tigers squad will provide the team with play-making excellence and leadership, alongside captain Kezie Apps and Jillaroos forwards Sarah Togatuki and Holli Wheeler. Fiji playmaker Losana Lutu is set to return after just four appearances last season. New coach Craig Sandercock will also welcome back Rikeya Horne from maternity leave after the birth of twins and Brooke Talatania, who returns from injury.