NRLW Round 1 results, match reports: Dragons v Titans, Roosters v Broncos, Knights v Eels
A thriller, a history-making field goal and the Broncos edging closer to a premiership four-peat. Check our full wrap of NRLW round one.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A dazzling display by Bo Vette-Welsh and a history-making field goal by Maddie Studdon have lifted the Eels to a thrilling 13-12 win over the Knights in the battle of the NRLW’s newcomers.
After a controversial no try ruling by the Bunker with 23 seconds remaining, Studdon took the result out of the officials’ hands when she slotted the first field goal in NRLW history to ensure the blue and golds won their first match in the competition.
Studdon has had stints with both the Roosters and the Dragons, but she looks to be one of the key signings out west for an Eels side that is ready to match it with the established teams in the comp.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
“She’s been practising,” Eels coach Dean Widders said, revealing Studdon nailed her only attempt under pressure at training on Saturday. “We’ve said for a while that games are going to be won by field goals in these early rounds.”
Things looked good for the hosts when skipper Romy Teitzel sliced through inside the opening two minutes, but that’s when her opposite number decided to take control of the contest.
Vette-Welsh had her hands on everything in a masterful first half as she finished the game with a whopping 180 metres.
She should have Parramatta’s first try assist, but Rikeya Horne’s effort was ruled out for obstruction. The gun No.1 then caught the Knights napping with a superb 80-metre dash from her own try line.
And minutes later, she eventually set up the blue and gold’s first four-pointer in the NRLW when she unselfishly handed it off to Tiani Penitani to score late in the first half.
MINING FOR TRIES
There was plenty of noise in Newcastle on Sunday as 5049 fans enjoyed a terrific triple treat of footy. In fact, at times there was probably too much noise because the players couldn’t her the referee or their teammates.
But the biggest cheer of the weekend came in the final game when local legend Phoebe Desmond crasher over for a second-half try.
Desmond has done so much work for rugby league in the local community, and like so many of the club’s NRL heroes, she has spent a number of years working in the mines.
“She’s a homegrown talent,” Knights skipper Romy Teitzel said. “It’s a great showcase for the fans here in Newcastle.”
TOUGH AS TAUFA
Combinations are going to take some time to develop for these two teams as they feel their way into the competition, so sometimes it’s best to just give it to your strongest player and let them weave their magic.
That’s what the Eels did in the second half when skipper Simaima Taufa smashed her way through the defence to level the scores before Studdon’s right boot sealed the famous win.
“She was enormous out there today,” Widders said of his captain. “At the toughest of times on the field, she came up with the biggest plays, and that’s where the women’s game is going.”
Broncos v Roosters: Broncos flex title muscle, eye four-peat
They won the inaugural competition, defended the title and then clinched a historic three-peat, and now a fourth premiership looks a real possibility after the Brisbane Broncos brushed aside the Roosters 20-4.
“I don’t think we think about it,” skipper Ali Brigginshaw said.
“The men’s (team) are the hunted as well. As soon as you pull on a Broncos jersey, people want to beat you.
“You don’t think of it as four in a row. Last year we had no footy so to me, we start again.”
This was a rematch of the 2020 decider that the Broncos won easily in heavy conditions in Sydney, and not much changed apart from the location as they repeated the dose in Newcastle.
It’s almost unfair when you’ve got classy spine players like Ali Brigginshaw, Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken calling the shots, especially when they’re playing behind a ferocious forward pack full of rep stars.
Prop forward Millie Boyle was unstoppable with the ball, charging for 166 metres and a try from 23 carries, while Chelsea Lenarduzzi (99 metres) and Amber Hall (82) terrorised the Roosters with nine offloads.
BONDI WALL
It may not look pretty on the scoreboard, but Roosters fans should be extremely proud of their side’s commitment in defence.
The Chooks made 10 errors in the first half and were seemingly defending their line for most of the 35 minutes, but they held firm to only trail 10-0 at the break.
The handling didn’t get much better after the break, but what didn’t change was their resolve in defence as they held the three-time premiers to just 20 points despite having the bulk of the territory.
CENTRES OF ATTENTION
Star centres Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly didn’t get many opportunities in attack, but they showed glimpses of why they are the best pairing in the league as they were the only Roosters to crack 100 metres.
Sergis produced some bone-rattling tackles in her first game for the Tricolours since she made the big move from St George Illawarra, and showed off her dazzling speed when she burst through off a scrum for her team’s first line-break in the second half.
Both she and Kelly made a number of tough carries as the Roosters fought valiantly to get off their line, but the crippling error count means their two fast cars were parked in the garage for far too long even though they got more involved late on.
CRUSHING BLOW
The Broncos will be sweating on the match review committee after Kaitlyn Phillips was placed on report for a crusher tackle that left Sarah Togatuki in immense pain.
Dragons v Titans: Rugby Sevens stars take NRLW by storm
A couple of former rugby sevens stars are set to take the NRLW by storm after the Dragons kicked off the new season with a 20-12 win over the fast-finishing Titans.
It’s been a long time between wins for the Red V after they lost all three games in 2020 and then had to endure a couple of Covid-enforced false starts before they could finally get the 2021 campaign underway, albeit in 2022.
But the wait was worth it for new coach Jamie Soward who would be thrilled with the performance of his new-look halves as they took control in greasy conditions in Newcastle.
Halfback Rachael Pearson was outstanding in her first NRLW start, kicking the Titans to death like her coach used to do in the famous Dragons jersey.
“I’m very proud of her. She got us out of trouble with her kicking game. She’s cool, calm and collected. I’m really excited to see how she grows in the next couple of games,” skipper Kezie Apps said.
GOLD STANDARD
It’s not easy trying to replace Jillaroos legend Sam Bremner at the back, but the Dragons have struck gold in the form of Emma Tonegato.
The former sevens superstar is no stranger to rugby league having represented Australia at the 2013 World Cup, and it was like riding a bike for her on Sunday.
“She was fantastic,” Soward said.
She set up the first try of the year with a lovely cutout pass to Teagan Berry who scored the opening four-pointer in both halves.
And Tonegato didn’t stop there, finishing with a team-high 135 metres and a scything line-break that saw her chopped down just short of the line.
Making that tackle was Evania Pelite, who teamed up with Tonegato to win gold at the 2016 Olympics. The Titans No.1 was exceptional on Sunday, running for a game-high 151 metres for her new team.
FRANTIC FINISH
Things started slowly for the Titans in their first NRLW campaign, but they roared home with two late tries to nearly steal a maiden win.
But an error from the kick-off – their 12th of the afternoon – put an end to the comeback as the Dragons punished them with a late try to Quincy Dodd.
Forwards Tazmin Gray and Jessika Elliston also have nervous waits after they were placed on report for a couple of high tackles.
“It’s a steep learning curve for the girls. I’m glad we lost because we didn’t deserve the win,” a brutally honest Jamie Feeney said after his first game in charge.
More Coverage
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.