Sharks v Knights: Byers steps in; Dibb's Newcastle return
Cronulla Sharks host Newcastle Knights to kick off the much-anticipated 2026 NRLW season on Thursday night at Ocean Protect Stadium.
With plenty of player movement since last season - most notably Knights halfback Jesse Southwell joining the Broncos - Round 1 will be the first proper look at where teams have landed.
The Sharks are looking strong with reigning Dally M Prop of the Year Ellie Johnston and Caitlan Johnston-Green forming a fearsome combination in the front row alongside fellow Jillaroo Quincy Dodd at hooker.
For the Sharks, this is a chance to begin the campaign with authority at home, particularly after promising signs from halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu in a trial against the Roosters.
Cronulla’s ability to turn early-field position into points will be critical against a Knights side that traditionally thrives on physicality and momentum.
At the Knights, the loss of Southwell is offset by the arrival of Kirra Dibb, whose kicking game and composure will be a valuable addition for Ben Jeffries' side.
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Knights
5th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: No late changes for the Sharks. Quincy Dodd will captain the side with centre Tiana Penitani Gray unavailable as she recovers from a knee injury suffered during the Origin series. Rhiannon Byers will line up in the centres in her place, with Annessa Biddle the other centre. New recruits China Polata and Tegan Dymock have been named in the back row. "China's power game is going to be something really important for us this season," said coach Tony Herman. Former Rugby Sevens star Madison Ashby will make her NRLW debut off the interchange. Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu is the 18th player.
Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. New recruit Kirra Dibb will line up at five-eighth in her return to Newcastle after three years at the Cowboys. Coach Ben Jeffries has opted for young gun Lilly-Ann White in the No.1 jumper over Bo Vette-Welsh. The Knights are going with four forwards on the bench, with Jeffries saying "we could get a bit of dew and a bit of wind and being a night game we think it's going to be won more in the forwards". Cheyelle Robins-Reti will be the 18th player.
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada TaylorFullback for Knights is number 1 Lilly-Ann White
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie StaplesWinger for Knights is number 2 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Rhiannon ByersCentre for Knights is number 3 Sidney Taylor
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa BiddleCentre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia RavicsWinger for Knights is number 5 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia HannawayFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-RatuHalfback for Knights is number 7 Georgia Roche
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie JohnstonProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-GreenProp for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Fane Finau
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 China Polata2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Meakes
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Tegan DymockLock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Madison Higgins-AshbyInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jules Kirkpatrick
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Stephanie FaulknerInterchange for Knights is number 15 Sienna Yeo
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Najvada GeorgeInterchange for Knights is number 16 Amelia Pasikala
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jaydika TafuaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Simone Karpani
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Anne-Marie Kiria-RatuReplacement for Knights is number 18 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won their last two games against the Knights.
- The Knights have won three of their last four Round 1 games.
- Sharks winger Georgia Ravics has scored four tries in three games against the Knights.
- Knights five-eighth Kirra Dibb requires four points for 200 NRLW points.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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