NRLW Round 1: Fullbacks star and a serious captain’s knock

It was a fast and furious opening to the NRLW season with plenty of star performers on show, Chris Honnery selects his best of the best in the team of the week.

FULLBACK

Tamika Upton (Broncos): Every fullback from Round 1 proved to be a standout but the star Brisbane No. 1 had a huge influence in the Broncos 16-point win over the Roosters – making four tackle breaks, one linebreak and set up two tries with her incredible passing game.

WING
Teagan Berry (Dragons): The talented youngster was too hard to handle on the right wing for the Dragons, scoring two classy tries. Her second one was a brilliant piece of play to dive over the tryline from dummy-half to catch the Titans markers napping.

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Teagan Berry grabbed two tries for the Dragons. Picture: NRL Imagery

CENTRE
Jess Sergis (Roosters): The NRLW star was everywhere in both attack and defence, putting on some brutal tackles to go along with 142 running metres, five tackle busts and 12 tackles.

CENTRE
Isabelle Kelly (Roosters): Despite being on the losing end of the scoreboard, Kelly put in a mammoth effort for the Roosters, making 156m, three tackle busts and four offloads which proved a handful for the Brisbane defence.

WING
Emily Bass (Broncos): Another rookie who starred on debut, Bass crossed the line on two occasions to go along with her two tackle breaks and two linebreaks.

Sereana Naitokatoka was superb for the Eels. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

FIVE-EIGHTH
Sereana Naitokatoka (Eels): The talented Fijian playmaker put in a scintillating performance to help Parramatta to their thrilling win. She finished the match with a try assist, seven runs and five tackle busts.

HALFBACK
Rachael Pearson (Dragons): Pearson’s kicking game is one of the best in the competition and was a major factor in the Dragons win over the Titans. She also kicked a handy conversion from the sideline to ensure the Dragons maintained the lead in the dying minutes of the match.

PROP
Millie Boyle (Broncos): There’s no arguing with the performance of the Broncos forward who broke NRLW records during their win over the Roosters. Boyle made 23 carries for 179m along with two tackle breaks and a try.

Millie Boyle ran for 179 metres for the Broncos. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

HOOKER
Emma Manzelmann (Knights): The young Queenslander was dynamic in her NRLW debut. Playing off the bench, she had a huge impact on the game with a clever pass out of dummy half to send Phoebe Desmond over in the 42nd minute. She finished with a try assist and 15 tackles.

PROP
Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Broncos): No surprises here with Lenarduzzi’s mammoth effort. She made 105 run metres from 14 carries, making five tackle busts and five offloads along the way.

Olivia Kernick of the Roosters celebrates scoring a try against the Brisbane Broncos. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

SECOND ROW
Olivia Kernick (Roosters): An incredible performance by a young gun on debut. She made 38 tackles – the most of any player in Round 1 along with two tackle busts and a try.

SECOND ROW
Amber Hall (Broncos): Bruising in defence and tough in attack, Hall continues to show why she is one of the most dominant forwards in the game with her 97m for three tackle busts and four offloads.

LOCK
Simaima Taufa (Eels): A beast-mode performance from the Parramatta skipper. She ran for 154m, busting five tackles and scoring a crucial four pointer. Throw in her 35 tackles – the second most of any player in Rd 1 – and Taufa really put in a captain’s knock.