Women’s NRL will be at Origin standard every week

ON the back of a scintillating State of Origin match in which NSW prevailed in the dying stages, players are ready to deliver more of the same in the four-week NRL season.

Women’s Origin was a perfect starter for the main course of NRLW. Pic: Adam Head

THE first 10 minutes of Roosters v Warriors this afternoon will be a brutal hitout to set the standard for women’s NRL.

On the back of a scintillating State of Origin match in which NSW prevailed in the dying stages, players are ready to deliver more of the same in the four-week NRL season.

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NSW Blues two-try hero Isabelle Kelly had never experienced an atmosphere like what was at North Sydney Oval that Origin night and said women’s league will pick up where it left off.

Kelly runs straight at the line during Origin. Pic: Adam Head

“When I think about it I get goosebumps. I think about Origin and how intense that was running out and hearing the crowd and having people actually support you when you never knew they were going to,” Kelly said.

“I think the first 10 minutes are going to be a really big grind from both teams and it’s going to be something that is going to really showcase what the competition will be.

“It will show what we’re all out there to do and what we all want.”

Clubs have had little time to be game-ready for the NRL season after a short run-in as pre-season after the end to the state competitions in early August.

Kelly scores the Blues’ match winner. Pic: AAP

Most of the clubs have been training a few times a week and for game preparation the Warriors played a couple of trials against Auckland, Brisbane played PNG while St George Illawarra didn’t play any.

The Roosters held an opposed session against the club’s Jersey Flegg team after a trial against North Sydney didn’t eventuate.

The women versus boys was a learning curve for both, and beneficial in the end.

“I think the boys were a bit sceptical about giving us a bit of a nudge, but that’s normal obviously, but it was good,” Kelly said.

“I love coming up against men’s teams, we’ve done it in Origin in previous years in opposed sessions.

“Being able to go against them, they’re quick, they’re smart, they think on the spot so that’s exactly what we needed, a team that’s going to look up and look at our defence and see what we’re going to do.

“We adjusted well to that and it was great to have that session.”

Women players are ready to give fans more of what they saw during Origin. Pic: Getty Images

Kelly takes her place in the centres today alongside a number of her NSW teammates, including halves pairing Lavina O’Mealey and Maddie Studdon.

She demonstrated her power at the line during Origin and is confident the ball will again come her way in Roosters colours.

“Harty’s (coach Adam Hartigan) got a really exciting game plan for us,” Kelly said.

“It’s all about looking up and seeing what we can do.

“There’s a lot of talent in our team and I think the ball is going to get shifted left, right and through the middle.

“Hopefully the ball comes my way a bit but I’m sure it will.”

Warriors v Roosters NRLW — Things to know

Kickoff: 3.05pm ANZ Stadium

#Games played in 30 minute halves.

#10 interchanges allowed per team. Plus two extra in golden point.

#40/30 kick, instead of 40/20.

#Same two-referee system as men, with the bunker.

Teams

Roosters: 1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Taleena Simon 3. Shontelle Stowers 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Karina Brown 6. Lavina O’Mealey 7. Maddie Studdon 8. Simaima Taufa (c) 9. Kylie Hilder 10. Elianna Walton 11. Tazmin Gray 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Zahara Temara

Interchange: 14. Nita Maynard 15. Sarah Togatuki 16. Chloe Caldwell 17. Victoria Latu

Reserves: 18. Sharon McGrady, Quincy Dodd

Warriors: 1. Apii Nicholls-Pualau 2. Langi Veainu 3.Shontelle Woodman 14. Sarina Clark 5. Hilda Mariu 6. Laura Mariu 7. Georgia Hale 8. Annetta Nuuausala 9. Krystal Rota 10. Aieshaleigh Smalley 4. Onjeurlina Leiataua 12. Alice Vailea 13. Luisa Gago

Interchange: 11. Tanika-Jazz Noble 15. Lorina Papali’i 17. Kahurangi Peters 18. Sui Tauaua-Pauaraisa

Reserves: 21. Lisa Edwards