The Raiders have caused an upset to secure their first win in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with a 24-14 victory over the Roosters in a boilover at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday.
Led by co-captains Zahara Temara and Simaima Taufa, the Raiders took a shock 18-0 lead midway through the second half before the Tricolours, tipped by most to claim the 2023 title, started to mount a comeback.
However, a late try to Monalisa Soliola sealed Canberra's first-ever victory in the NRLW and and left the star-studded Roosters with work to do if they're to live up to expectations this season.
It was Temara whose pinpoint kicking led the side to victory with 340 kick metres and four conversions to make a big statement against her former club.
The Raiders flirted with the sideline early in the first half with both centres taken into touch before nerves settled and a strong defensive effort from Shakiah Tungai in the 23rd minute on Isabelle Kelly, lifted the home side's momentum.
Grace Kemp Try 28th minute
It was Tungai again in the next set whose effort to chase and toe forward a Temara kick forced Roosters fullback Corbin Baxter to be tackled within the in-goal area, forcing a goal line dropout.
Temara was nearly across the try line in the 25th minute before a try saving tackle from Keeley Davis denied her two metres out from the line.
But it didn’t take long for the Raiders to score their first ever try at home, with interchange player Grace Kemp scoring left of the posts in the 27th minute.
Tarryn Aiken try 54th minute
It was an evenly matched first half with the Raiders leading with a 51percent possession rate, with both teams above 78 percent completion rates.
The Raiders came out firing in the second half, with fullback Apii Nicholls breaking through the Roosters right edge defence before passing to Cheyelle Robins-Reti to score in 35th minute.
The Raiders were forced to reshuffle their line-up after their fullback Nicholls was taken from the field for a head injury assessment before Sophie Holyman was next to leave the field in the 44th minute after coming off second best in a tackle.
Canberra's lead extended through Taufa, who went over under the posts in the 46th minute with a charging effort.
The Roosters hit back when Brydie Parker scored in the 51st minute and momentum appeared to shift when Tarryn Aiken pounced on a Temara kick to run the length of the field.
Borthwick soaks up historic Raiders victory
A dubious decision from Temara to kick the ball short from the restart put further pressure on the Green Machine with the visitors in again through Keeley Davis from close range and suddenly it was game on with 10 minutes remaining.
However, the Raiders were not going down without a fight, and a charging run from Soliola is what put the game to bed when she went over to score in the 63rd minute off an Ash Quinlan short ball.
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Match Snapshot
- Raiders co-captain Zahara Temara reached 100 NRLW points - the first player to do so in the competition.
- Canberra's victory was their first in the NRLW.
- Raiders prop Grace Kemp crossed for the club's first-ever NRLW try on home turf. Kemp ran for 121 metres in the victory.
- The Roosters completed at 67 percent in the loss with 10 errors.
- The Roosters lost Jess Sergis to a hamstring concern pre-game.
- Forward Kerehitina Maitua was put on report in the 50th minute after a late shot on Tarryn Aiken.
- Apii Nicholls returned to the field after passing a head injury assessment.
- Raiders co-captain Simaima Taufa picked up a knee injury late in the match and will be assessed.
Play of the Game
The Raiders looked in danger of coughing up the game late before Monalisa Soliola came up with a couple of big plays - first to score a try on the left edge before coming up with a one-on-one strip late on Shawden Burton to ensure there was no late Roosters fightback.
Monalisa Soliola try 63rd minute
What they Said
“We were well below average. We gained moment and got back into the game and then we just came up with simple errors, weren’t even errors through playing footy and that is the frustrating thing, simple drops, one up drops, it was a little bit embarrassing to watch to be honest, because I thought coming in 20 minutes to go in the game I thought we were going to come home and win the game. Lots of possession, playing good footy then it up to our defending again, not a good look for the women’s game unfortunately what we dished out today.” – Roosters coach John Strange
“What I am most proud of, and happy of, is the fans that turned up today for this historic moment we had over 8,000 fans that turned up to back the girls and that’s what this club is. It is based on its rich history and the community and the fans that really get behind their teams and I am so happy for the girls. I am so happy that the crowed got to witness a really great game of football today.” – Darrin Borthwick
NRLW Press Conference: Raiders v Roosters - Round 2, 2023
What's Next
A short turnaround for the Roosters who host the Dragons next Thursday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while the Raiders are at home again next week as they take on the Wests Tigers next Sunday at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
Roosters centre Jessica Sergis is hopeful that she will be available for selection next week after a hamstring injury saw her sidelined for Round 2.