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Match Preview

Raiders v Eels: Smith to debut; Todhunter in for Davis-Welsh

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pan66.com
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The Raiders and Eels meeting for the first time in Canberra on Sunday for Round 5 of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with plenty at stake at the halfway point of the season.

The Green Machine are looking to make it four in a row and maintain their spot in the top two while Parramatta are searching for their first win this year after an 0-4 start. 

Darrin Borthwick's side will be expected to win, which is fairly new territory for the Raiders, but also crucial they do with clashes against the Broncos, Knights and Titans to follow.

The Eels produced a solid performance against the Broncos but couldn't get over the line enough to threaten their opponents' lead in Brisbane. 

Dean Widders knows all too well about going winless in the first month after doing so last season before surging to the NRLW grand final with the blue and gold now at desperate stages to get their campaign back on track.

Team news

Raiders: No late changes for the home side after Hollie-Mae Dodd dropped out of the side on Saturday with Monalisa Soliola promoted to start in the back row and Ahlivia Ingram joining the bench. Elise Smith will make her NRLW debut in the back row which shifts Kerehitina Matua to the bench and Tara Reinke out of the 17. The Green Machine are chasing four wins on the trot.

Eels: A late change on game day with Nakia Davis-Welsh ruled out and Taneka Todhunter promoted to the interchange bench. Meanwhile, Kyra Simon dropped out on Saturday with Tyla Amiatu starting at lock and Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis added to the bench. Elsie Albert (calf) is out after reaggravating a leg injury with Madeline Jones stepping into the starting role at prop. Rosemarie Beckett, who picked up a head knock a fortnight, was listed in the reserves but was omitted on Saturday.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii Nicholls
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Kimberley Hunt
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Alanna Dummett
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Monique Donovan
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara Temara
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Pihuka Berryman-Duff 
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh Quinlan
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-Sines
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Talesha O'Neill
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Madeline Jones
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Elise Smith
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Amelia Mafi
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 17 Monalisa Soliola
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa
    Lock for Eels is number 15 Tyla Amiatu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Ua Ravu
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Capri Paekau
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Shannon Muru
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina Matua
    Interchange for Eels is number 18 Taneka Todhunter
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Ahlivia Ingram
    Interchange for Eels is number 19 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Petesa Lio
    Replacement for Eels is number 21 Lindsay Tui

Match Officials

  • Referee: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • There are three former Eels in the Raiders line-up - former captain Simaima Taufa, halfback Ash Quinlan and prop Tommaya Kelly-Sines.
  • The Raiders are chasing four-straight wins for the first time in club history. 
  • The Eels have never lost five games in a row in a season.
  • The Eels have won only four games from 21 in NRLW history.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

 National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.