NRLW 2022: Club legend Allan Langer tells Broncos to prepare for grand final every week or reign is over
Famed for their resilience and tenacity, the Broncos NRLW squad has bossed women’s footy in recent years. But one club legend is concerned there will be a big target on their backs this year.
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The Broncos could claim an incredible fifth straight NRLW title by the end of the year, but club great Allan Langer has issued a warning to the all-conquering side ahead of the upcoming season.
The three-time NRLW champions will play two seasons this year, with the delayed 2021 season to kick off on February 27, which means Brisbane could potentially have five titles by the end of 2022.
Four-time premiership winner Langer applauded the resilience and tenacity of the Brisbane NRLW squad following their back-to-back-to-back titles but believed the five other teams will be going harder than ever to knock the club off its perch this season.
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“All the other sides will be putting pressure on them so they will need to prepare every week as if it is a grand final,” Langer said.
“All the other sides will be wanting to knock the top dogs off.
“That’s where this Broncos NRLW side has showed a lot of resilience over the last couple of years, even with a few changes here and there, they just keep winning.
“That just shows what a good group they are and how the coaching staff bring them together.
“I just love watching them go out there each week, doing what they do best.”
However, the players are trying not to dwell too much on the past and are focused instead on the future.
Star Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton said the Broncos were always a target in the NRLW.
“We try not to think about the three in a row,” Upton said.
“It’s easy to forget about when it was a year and a half ago.
“Broncos always set the benchmark each year and you try and raise that.
“The competition always gets stronger and stronger, so it will be good to try and live up to that.”
The Broncos incredible record will be tested this year with three new teams introduced into the NRLW, with the Titans, Eels and Knights all looking to topple the reigning premiers.
Upton said the playing group was focusing on not becoming complacent following their recent success as a new wave of talent emerges this year.
“It’s whoever turns up on the day is going to win the match,” she said.
“That’s how we train and how we prepare.
“We’re all really excited about the new fixtures and the exposure it’s going to bring to the game.
“Especially for the younger girls coming through, we’re going to see more talent on the field.”
Eels’ superstar NRLW side opens pathway in the west
- Michael Carayannis
They are the Western Sydney warriors who finally get a chance to run out for their local team.
Australian star Simaima Taufa spent the opening NRLW seasons playing at the Sydney Roosters. But one of the most marketable faces in the women’s game has been unable to represent her area at club level.
Until now.
Taufa headlines Parramatta’s NRLW side ahead of the Eels’ inaugural season in the new-look six-team competition.
“Women playing rugby league out in Western Sydney is natural for us,” Taufa said. “You always see girls picking up the footy and playing with their family or friends. It’s good to be part of the movement.
“There is now a genuine pathway and it’s a significant decision Parramatta have made. It provides us with the opportunity forge the culture the way we want it and for future generations to aspire to be part of.”
While star prop Taufa is a house hold name, Sereana Naitokatoga is planning to make her own mark.
The Bass High School graduate always thought she’d need to travel a fair distance to fulfil her dream of cracking it in the NRLW.
“If I could’ve screamed I would’ve,” Naitokatoga said. “Training is so close to my house. It would’ve been tiring to have to travel so far. I’m from Western Sydney and all my family and friends go for Parramatta so it’s good.
“I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
The NRLW returns in 2022 after a 16-month hiatus, with the rescheduled 2021 season to kick-off with a triple header in Newcastle on February 27. The competition was postponed because of Covid and that postponement means they will play two NRLW comps in a bumper year for women’s footy.
The postponement of the season did have one advantage. By the time the team came together for pre-season training they were already familiar with each other.
The group had leant on each other during the Covid-19 shutdown to ensure everyone was keeping well.
Naitokatoga said that helped instantly bring a new group together.
“It didn’t seem real at first,” Naitokatoga said. “We felt like we already knew each other through Zoom sessions. When we got to training we were already like ‘I know you’.
“It was really cool how everyone bonded.”
The Eels, Gold Coast and Newcastle are all playing in the NRLW for the first time, joining foundation clubs the Roosters, Dragons and premiers Brisbane.
Originally published as NRLW 2022: Club legend Allan Langer tells Broncos to prepare for grand final every week or reign is over
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