NRLW round 27 teams: Broncos name broken Brigginshaw, Kezie Apps concussion confusion

Wests Tigers co-captain Kezie Apps has been ruled out against Gold Coast after confusion around concussion protocols. Every change for round 7 of the NRLW.

Ali Brigginshaw leaves the field. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Wests Tigers co-captain Kezie Apps has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with the Gold Coast amid confusion over concussion protocols and whether she was eligible to play.

Apps failed a head injury assessment in a big loss to the Roosters last week and under current concussion protocols is subject to a mandatory 11-day stand down.

However, she was named to play the Titans, meaning the club would need to apply for an exemption under special circumstances to allow her to take the field eight days after suffering a concussion.

SCROLL TO SEE EVERY TEAM CHANGE FOR ROUND 7 OF THE NRLW SEASON

Her concussion was originally deemed a category two which would allow for an exemption to be filed by Wednesday night, but it’s been upgraded to a category one after she reported subsequent symptoms and under advice from NRL medical staff.

Apps has been named in the No.11 jersey, and teammates were hopeful she would be available if she passed follow up tests, but she will be ruled out under mandatory guidelines.

Elsewhere, Gold Coast five eighth Taliah Fuimaono is exhausting all avenues to return to the field this NRLW season as she battles an ankle injury she suffered in round one.

The Jillaroos star was carried off the field against North Queensland with fears she may miss the rest of the eight-week season.

Kezie Apps could miss Wests Tigers round 27 clash against the Cowboys. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty

Scans originally confirmed minor ligament damage in her ankle and she was rated a week-to-week prospect, but varying medical advice has ranged from a season-ending injury to the possibility of a return before finals.

She’s missed the past five games and hasn’t been named again this week, but the NSW State of Origin half has been persistent in finding a way to get back on the field.

In the past two weeks she has started running again, although she’s yet to progress into contact training with the squad.

Within the club there’s an unofficial deadline. She’s hoping to be named to play Parramatta in round 8, otherwise her season is likely over with three rounds to play before finals.

In her absence the Titans have had the youngest halves pairing in the competition with teenagers Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Sienna Lofipo, although Lauren Brown has been named at halfback to face Wests Tigers this week.

Even without Fuimaono the Titans have been one of the best sides in the NRLW this season and currently sit third on the ladder with four wins from six games.

BRONCOS NAME BROKEN BRIGGINSHAW

Brisbane skipper Ali Brigginshaw is set to play with a broken nose against Cronulla on Saturday in an inspirational move to help spark a chase for the NRLW top four.

Swollen and bruised, Brigginshaw has soldiered on through training this week for the Broncos after suffering a horrific broken nose in the final minutes of a big win against Canberra on Sunday.

She was taken off the field with blood pouring from her face, however she passed a HIA in the sheds on the day. It was classed as a category two concussion, and she’s cleared a follow up HIA with the Broncos under mandatory protocols to be free to play the Sharks in Townsville on Saturday.

She’s been named in her regular No.7 jersey for the important clash.

It’s a huge boost for the Broncos who sit just outside the top four with three rounds to play in the NRLW.

Brigginshaw shows off the swelling. Picture: Instagram

Ali Brigginshaw after the match.

The only issue for Brigginshaw is the swelling, which has transformed her entire face.

Through the pain she’s been a good sport though.

She’s been the butt of the joke at the Broncos over the past few days considering the bad timing of the injury.

Monday was a major content day at the Broncos with team photo shoots, although club staff are working on digitally replacing her injured face with her regular one.

ROUND 7 NRLW TEAMS

RAIDERS v KNIGHTS

Saturday, 11.05am, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Madison Bartlett 3. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 4. Mackenzie Wiki 5. Shakiah Tungai 6. Zahara Temara 7. Ash Quinlan 8. Grace Kemp 9. Chante Temara 10. Sophie Holyman 11. Elise Smith 12. Hollie Dodd 13. Simaima Taufa

Bench: 14. Ua Ravu 15. Ahlivia Ingram 16. Kerehitina Matua 17. Tara Reinke

Reserves: 18. Petesa Lio 19. Ella Ryan 20. Monalisa Soliola 21. Jessica Gentle 22. Tommaya Kelly-Sines

Knights: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Sheridan Gallagher 3. Shanice Parker 4. Abigail Roache 5. Jasmine Strange 6. Georgia Roche 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Laishon Albert-Jones 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Hannah Southwell

Bench: 14. Nita Maynard 15. Kayla Romaniuk 16. Tiana Davison 17. Viena Tinao

Reserves: 18. Jacinta Carter 19. Tamerah Leati 20. Jayde Herdegen 21. Caitlin Moran 22. Felila Kia

Team news: Apii Nicholls makes her return at fullback for the Raiders, while the Knights are almost unchanged from their win over Cronulla on Sunday. Tiana Davison comes onto the bench for Felila Kia.

BRONCOS v SHARKS

Saturday, 12.50pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Broncos: 1. Hayley Maddick 2. Julia Robinson 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Shenae Ciesiolka 5. Ashleigh Werner 6. Gayle Broughton 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Annetta Nuuausala 9. Destiny Brill 10. Brianna Clark 11. Tazmin Gray 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Mariah Denman

Bench: 14. Jada Ferguson 15. Tafito Lafaele 16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 17. Lauren Dam

Reserves: 18. Jasmine Fogavini 19. Toni Hunt 20. Grace Griffin 21. Keisha-Leigh Coolwell

Sharks: 1. Jada Taylor 2. Georgia Ravics 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Cassie Staples 5. Kiana Takairangi 6. Emma Tonegato 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Chloe Saunders 11. Talei Holmes 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Holli Wheeler

Bench: 14. Sereana Naitokatoka 15. Harata Butler 16. Brooke Anderson 17. Tegan Dymock

Reserves: 18. Fatafehi Hanisi 19. Maddie Studdon 20. Jazmon Tupou Witchman 21. Fiona Jahnke 22. Grace-Lee Weekes

Team news: Ali Brigginshaw has been named in the Broncos’ No.7 jersey despite suffering a broken nose on Sunday afternoon. Ashleigh Werner also returns to the wing in place of Lauren Dam. For the Sharks, Cassie Staples and Kiana Takairangi have come into the side to replace Annessa Biddle (suspension) and Andie Robinson (knee).

COWBOYS v DRAGONS

Saturday, 3.10pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys: 1. Francesca Goldthorp 2. Vitalina Naikore 3. Jasmine Peters 4. Shellie Long 5. Krystal Blackwell 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 8. Tallisha Harden 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. Makenzie Weale 11. Bree Chester 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. China Polata

Bench: 14. Jetaya Faifua 15. Sera Koroi 16. Sareka Mooka 17. Jessikah Reeves

Reserves: 18. Lily Peacock 19. Essay Banu 20. Shaylee Joseph 21. April Ngatupuna 24. Mia Middleton

Dragons: 1. Teagan Berry 2. Margot Vella 3. Shenai Lendill 4. Cheynoah Amone 5. Cortez Te Pau 6. Tyla Nathan-Wong 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Renee Targett 10. Tara McGrath-West 11. Ella Koster 12. Jamilee Bright 13. Alexis Tauaneai

Bench: 14. Zali Hopkins 15. Kaarla Cowan 16. Roxy Murdoch 17. Macie Carlile

Reserves: 18. Madison Mulhall 19. Sophie Clancy 20. Sarah Riorden 21. Taylor Mapusua 22. Maddison Weatherall

Team news: The Cowboys have made changes in response to their loss to the Eels on Saturday, moving China Polata into lock and Makenzie Weale back into the starting team, with Libby Surha out with a shoulder injury. The Dragons have also made mass changes, with Keele Brown and Bobbi Law both out through injury. Shenai Lendill comes into the centres with Cortez Te Pau on the wing, while Renee Targett returns at dummy half with Sophie Clancy shifting back to the extended bench.

TITANS v WESTS TIGERS

Sunday, 12.03pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Titans: 1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale

Bench: 14. Sienna Lofipo 15. Stephanie Hancock 16. Rilee Jorgensen 17. Laikha Clarke

Reserves: 18. Kaitlyn Phillips 19. Sophie Buller 20. Sienna Laing 21. Dannii Perese 24. Hailee-Jay Maunsell

Tigers: 1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Jakiya Whitfeld 3. Rikeya Horne 4. Leianne Tufuga 5. Tess Staines 6. Pauline Piliae 7. Brooke Talataina 8. Imogen Gobran 9. Ebony Prior 10. Christian Pio 11. Kezie Apps (REPLACEMENT TBC) 12. Eliza Siilata 13. Najvada George

Bench: 14. Sophie Curtain 15. Bianca Bennetts 16. Jessica Kennedy 17. Salma Nour

Reserves: 18. Hope Tevaga 19. Rebecca Pollard 20. Josephine Lenaz 21. Taylor Osborne 22. Jae Patu

Team news: Rilee Jorgensen returns for the Titans side after missing last week with a head knock, while field goal hero Lauren Brown has been named in the halves. For the Tigers, Kezie Apps and Rikeya Horne have both been named despite failing HIAs last week. Star prop Sarah Togatuki will miss one game for a hip drop tackle, with Imogen Gobran named in her place.

ROOSTERS v EELS

Sunday, 1.50pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Roosters: 1. Corban Baxter 2. Brydie Parker 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Mia Wood 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Jocelyn Kelleher 8. Millie Boyle 9. Keeley Davis 10. Mya Hill-Moana 11. Otesa Pule 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Keilee Joseph

Bench: 14. Joeli Morris 15. Grace Hamilton 16. Pani Hopoate 17. Amelia Pasikala

Reserves: 18. Jayme Fressard 19. Teuila Fotu-Moala 20. Lexi Kiriwi 21. Lily Rogan 22. Tyler Bentley

Eels: 1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 5. Kimberley Hunt 6. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Talesha O’Neill 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Tyla Amiatu 11. Amelia Mafi 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Jade Fonua

Bench: 14. Capri Paekau 15. Noaria Kapua 16. Ruby-Jean Kennard 17. Madeline Jones

Reserves: 18. Nakia Davis-Welsh 19. Kyra Simon 20. Taneka Todhunter 21. Monique Donovan 22. Shannon Muru

Team news: Grace Hamilton has been named to return on the bench for the Roosters, while the Eels are almost unchanged after scoring their first win last weekend. Nakia Davis Welsh is the only change, dropping onto the extended bench with Capri Paekau named in her place.