A semi-final rematch and the first time returning to Queensland since their 2021 NRLW Premiership will have the Roosters champing at the bit to continue their winning ways up north.
Last Time Out: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
Who could forget that semi-final victory back in April that propelled the Roosters into the Grand Final?
NRLW 2021 Semi-Final Highlights: Roosters vs Broncos
Just one week earlier, the Tricolours were reliant on the Broncos defeating Parramatta by a large margin in the final round of the regular season to qualify for the finals - and their wish was granted as they scraped through on for and against.
Taking the field at Leichhardt Oval against the Minor Premiers, the fledgling Roosters found themselves down 16-nil after as many minutes and staring down the barrel of a finals exit.
But in an inspired effort that has since been described as one of the greatest comebacks in Club history, the Tricolours romped home to claim an emphatic 22-16 victory, marking their first win over the Broncos and ending their three-year Premiership run in the process.
How They Line Up
After a convincing 38-16 win to open the 2022 season against Parramatta, John Strange's side has remained intact in their quest to extend their winning run to four consecutive victories.
Veteran Sam Bremner returns to the line up after a stellar performance in her first match in Red, White and Blue, joined by Leianne Tufuga, Jessica Sergis, Captain Isabelle Kelly, and new recruit Jayme Fressard in the backline.
Match: Broncos v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Broncos is number 20 Hayley MaddickFullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha Bremner
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Winger for Broncos is number 1 Jaime ChapmanWinger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne Tufuga
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Amy TurnerCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia RobinsonWinger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tarryn AikenFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Zahara Temara
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Sophie HolymanProp for Roosters is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Nita MaynardHooker for Roosters is number 9 Destiny Brill
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea LenarduzziProp for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Amber Hall2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Shaniah Power
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 15 Kaitlyn Phillips2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Tallisha HardenLock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 11 Sara SautiaInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn Kelleher
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada FergusonInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Shawden Burton
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Crystal TamaruaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Pani Hopoate
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Brianna ClarkInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Otesa Pule
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Shakiah TungaiReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Joeli Morris
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Halves Zahara Temara and Raecene McGregor continue their strong partnership in the no.6 and no.7 jerseys respectively, while Sarah Togatuki, Destiny Brill and Mya Hill-Moana line up in the front row.
Shaniah Power retains her spot on the left edge joined by fellow tryscorer Olivia Kernick in the back row, while Keilee Joseph has been named in the no.13 jersey in her second career start.
The interchange bench features Jocelyn Kelleher, Shawden Burton, Kalosipani Hopoate and Otesa Pule, with Joeli Morris, Samantha Economos, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Shannon Rose and Jada Taylor on the extended bench.
NRLW Round 1 Highlights: Roosters vs Eels
The home side has no changes to their starting side with Brianna Clark joining the interchange bench with Jasmine Fogavini coming out, but still feature plenty of threats in the middle and out wide, including Ali Brigginshaw, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Julia Robinson and Tarryn Aiken.
Key Match Up: Raecene McGregor vs Ali Brigginshaw
Former teammates and halves partners clash as Raecene McGregor and Ali Brigginshaw face up against one another for the second time since the former arrived at Bondi last season.
Since joining the Tricolours, McGregor has been a focal point for the side's organisation in attack, and she showed her prowess against the Eels last week with 98 running metres, two linebreak assists, two try assists and twelve kicks.
The diminutive halfback comes up against arguably one of the greatest players to take the field in the women's game in Brigginshaw - and the veteran half was on song despite the Broncos' first-week loss to Newcastle with 99 metres, a linebreak assist, a try assist and seven kicks.
Both players have lifted the Premiership trophy on three occasions and are the best in their position, so if push comes to shove, you can bet these two will have plenty of say in the final result in this one.
What They Said:
Joseph: "We Bonded Really Well"
Final Verdict
Brisbane will be licking their wounds after a touch-up against surprise packet Newcastle and determined to claim their first win of the season back at home in front of a packed-out crowd.
The Red, White and Blue have every reason to look to continue their winning streak and replicate their results from the last trip to Queensland and claim back-to-back victories for the first time against their opponents.
