Three-time champions Brisbane kick off their premiership defence against a Roosters side looking to convert their two grand final appearances in 2018 and 2020 into an elusive title.
It seems an eternity since these two sides squared off in the 2020 grand final, won 20-10 by Brisbane, and there's a host of new faces on show looking to make a mark in a massive season for the women's game.
The Roosers have Isabelle Kelly back on board and 2019 Dally M Medal winner Jess Sergis arrives at Bondi after three seasons at the Red V.
The Broncos will look to superstar skipper Ali Brigginshaw to lead the charge for a fourth straight premiership along with Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Julia Robinson, who have 22 games of NRLW experience between them and know what it takes to succeed on the big stage.
Match: Roosters v Broncos
Round 1 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
The rundown
Team news
Roosters: Skipper Corban Baxter was ruled out on Saturday and her place at fullback is taken by Brydie Parker with Taylor-Adeline Mapusua coming into the starting side in jersey No.24 on the wing.
Raecene McGregor comes onto the interchange bench to make her Roosters NRLW debut, while Joeli Morris becomes 18th player.
The other players omitted from the squad on Saturday were Samantha Economos, Otesa Pule, Claire Reed and Mya Hill-Moana.
Rep stars Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis will form a dynamic centre combination. Zahara Temara has been named at five-eighth with 22-year-old Jocelyn Kelleher getting the nod at halfback. Olivia Higgins makes her NRLW debut at hooker as do Gloucester product Tayla Predebon at prop and back-rower Olivia Kernick.
Three more debutantes on the bench with Shawden Burton, Keilee Joseph and Simone Karpani all getting their first taste of the big time.
Broncos: The three-time champs again have a formidable look about them with halves Ali Brigginshaw and Tarryn Aiken, fullback Tamika Upton and hooker Lauren Brown making up a spine that will be the envy of the competition.
Winger Emily Bass, lock Nakita Sao and bench players Jada Ferguson, Sara Sautia and Roxette Murdoch have been handed their debuts and will be keen to make a big impression.
Prolific winger Julia Robinson is out to add to her career tally of five NRLW tries, second only to team-mate Upton with six.
Toni Hunt, Lavinia Gould, Lesa Kaleti Mata'afa and China Polata dropped out of the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Roosters v Broncos
Round 1 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 5 Brydie ParkerFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne TufugaWinger for Broncos is number 2 Julia Robinson
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Broncos is number 3 Amy Turner
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
-
Winger for Roosters is number 24 Taylor MapusuaWinger for Broncos is number 5 Emily Bass
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Zahara TemaraFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn KelleherHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Broncos is number 8 Millie Elliott
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Broncos is number 9 Lauren Brown
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Tayla PredebonProp for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tallisha Harden
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Amber Hall
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Broncos is number 13 Nakita Sao
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden BurtonInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada Ferguson
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Keilee JosephInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Kaitlyn Phillips
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Roxy Murdoch
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Raecene McGregorInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Sara Sautia
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Joeli MorrisReserve for Broncos is number 18 Hayley Maddick
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Zahara Temara v Tarryn Aiken: The tactical battle between the two No.6s should be worth the price of admission alone. Temara has given magnificent service to the Roosters across the three seasons of NRLW and she'll look to ignite a star studded backline with her quality passing game. Aiken won the Nellie Doherty Medal as player of the match in the 2020 women's Origin game playing five-eighth alongside Temara for Queensland so they know each other's game inside out. Whoever takes bragging rights in the playmaking duel will go a long way to ensuring victory for their team.
Stat attack
Broncos No.1 gun Tamika Upton enjoyed a stunning 2020 NRLW season with five tries in four games to go with six line breaks and two try assists. The 24-year-old is at the peak of her powers, as evidenced by her 11 runs for 98 metres, four tackle breaks and a try assist in a stellar showing for the Indigenous All Stars in their win over the Maori All Stars a fortnight ago.
