Roosters, Broncos rivalry brewing as both sides eye victory in inaugural NRLW grand final
THE Broncos’ NRLW team is embracing its developing rivalry with the Sydney Roosters, as the two sides prepare to meet in Sunday’s grand final.
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THE Broncos’ NRLW team is embracing its developing rivalry with the Sydney Roosters, as the two sides prepare to meet in Sunday’s grand final.
In the perfect showdown of Queensland versus NSW, the Brisbane and Sydney teams will clash for just the second time in their compact season.
While their history may be short, a nice rivalry is already building between the sides.
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If it’s not enough that they are battling it out for the first women’s NRL premiership, the Roosters also accused the Broncos of targeting the knee of injured skipper Simaima Taufa in their Round 2 clash in Sydney on September 14.
Roosters hooker Kylie Hilder ignited the flame again on Monday, claiming the memory of that game had given the team motivation for Sunday.
“It is a game, a game that we love, but I wouldn’t expect any of our players to be like that,” she said.
“There is probably a little bit of anger in our bellies, and fire.
“What it’s done is just get us ready and prepared for Sunday. We’re ready for battle.”
Brisbane players Chelsea Baker and Steph Hancock however denied that their team went onto the field to harm Taufa.
Baker said they also had an injured player on the field that night in Meg Ward and knew the Chooks had sent lots of traffic at the centre, who has a fractured hand.
“That’s what builds the fire in a lot of girls’ bellies,” Baker said of the developing rivalry.
“You’re tackling people around the guts and around the legs so if you’ve got a knee injury, it’s just going to happen.
‘‘We’re going to tackle them regardless (of injury).
“We had Meg and they kept going at Meg ... We did not go out there with the intention to hurt somebody.
“They’re going to come out really hungry with a point to prove that they didn’t play their best when they played us, but neither did we.
“It’s going to be another level of women’s footy on Sunday … it’s exciting.”
Hancock also defended her teammates but said she knows Taufa as the pair have played together numerous times for the Jillaroos.
Hancock praised her as one of the toughest players in the game but hoped they could move past the accusations.
The Broncos forward also said while she couldn’t wait for the Queensland and NSW showdown, she did not want anything to overshadow the fact 34 players are about to make history.
“She knew she was injured, we knew she was injured, but there was no way any girl targeted her knee,” Hancock said.
“I watched the game and I can’t see anyone going in there and trying to twist the leg or do anything untoward.
“The girls just need to concentrate on how good this grand final is going to be.
“On the day, the better team will win and be crowned the first-ever NRLW winners.”
Originally published as Roosters, Broncos rivalry brewing as both sides eye victory in inaugural NRLW grand final