NRLW 2026, Cowboys v Wests Tigers, Round 2, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Hifo, Marsters to debut; No changes to winning line-up

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 7 Jul 2026, 06:44 PM

Both teams enter Round 2 with plenty to prove, but for different reasons.

North Queensland suffered the heaviest defeat of Round 1, going down 50-4 to Brisbane after struggling to contain the Broncos' attacking finesse.

Wests Tigers, on the other hand, produced one of the most impressive wins of the weekend, beating Parramatta 28-16. Their attack was firing and they showed resilience as Parramatta continued to challenge and didn’t take their foot of the pedal.

North Queensland will expect a much-improved defensive effort playing at home. Their forward pack was constantly under pressure against Brisbane and must win the middle third if they are to compete with the Tigers.

The Tigers, under new coach Craig Sandercock and with 14 new players in the squad for 2026, will take confidence from their ability to score points in Round 1. Their spine controlled the game well and they will view this as an opportunity to start the season 2-0.

The Cowboys should respond strongly in front of their home crowd in Townsville, determined to flip the narrative from Round 1.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 11 Jul

2:45 am

Cowboys

Wests Tigers

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

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Team News

Cowboys: Experienced former Wallaroo Ashley Marsters is set to make her NRLW debut, after being named on the bench in the number 17 jersey, in place of Tafao Asaua who has been listed in the reserves. However, coach Ricky Henry’s four-player bench will be determined later in the week. The other changes sees Haylee Hifo comes into the wing for Sian Williams, who failed a game-day HIA in Round 1 and is in the NRL’s concussion protocol.

Wests Tigers: No changes to the side after they impresses with their win against the Eels in Round 1. After making her club debut last week and celebrating with a try, Indigenous All Stars representative Shaylee Bent will again line up in the second row.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 11 Jul

2:45 am

Cowboys

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Tallara Bamblett

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin Turnbull
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Margot Vella

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Emily Bass
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Francesca Goldthorp

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Namoe Gesa
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shenai Lendill
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Haylee Hifo

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Lily Rogan
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Abigail Roache

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Losana Lutu
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma Nour
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Shaniece Monschau
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaylee Bent
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Holli Wheeler

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Lydia Turua-Quedley

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Christian Pio
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Emily Veivers

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Faythe Manera
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Ashley Marsters

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Portia Bourke

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Ebony Raftstrand-Smith

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Brooke Talataina
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Lily Dick

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Harmony Crichton
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Tafao Asaua

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Jetaya Faifua
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jennifer Kimber

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua
Reserve for Cowboys is number 23 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tyla Amiatu

Ashley Marsters
Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
Ebony Raftstrand-Smith
Haylee Hifo
Jennifer Kimber

Harmony Crichton
Jetaya Faifua
Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua
Tyla Amiatu

Sian Williams

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 7/7/2026 9:28:12 AM

Stat Attack

The Cowboys have won all three games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since Rounds 8-9 in 2024.
Cowboys centre Jasmine Peters has scored a try in all three games against the Tigers.
Wests Tigers halfback Raecene McGregor will play her 50th NRLW game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

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