Injuries mar women’s clash

Players were dropping like flies during the Jillaroos-Kiwi Ferns game.The visitors lost gun backs Jessica Sergis (knee) and Sam Bremner (toe) in the lead-up, while Kezie Apps
succumbed to a knee injury midway through the game.The Ferns were also hit with co-captain Laura Mariu (shoulder) and Kimiora Nati (knee) failing to finish the game.Chelsea Baker (groin) and Brittany Breayley (neck) were affected by their respectively injuries but battled on.

Women’s Test benefits from NRLW

Women’s rugby league continues to go from strength to strength and it was typified in the Jillaroos’ thrilling 26-24 win over the Kiwi Ferns.With retirement and injuries playing their part, up to eight new faces were introduced to the women’s international scene, largely
thanks to the inaugural NRLW premiership.Both teams scored five tries apiece, with the goalkicking of Jillaroos fullback Chelsea Baker proving the difference.Ali Brigginshaw and Honey Hireme were standouts for their respective teams, while Isabelle Kelly scored the matchwinner for the Aussies.

In-form Kiwi Ferns stars to test Jillaroos

New Zealand women's national rugby league team coach Kelvin Wright has named a host of in-form players from the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership for Saturday's Test against Australia.The ageless Laura Mariu and Honey Hireme will co-captain the Kiwi Ferns with four members of NRLW champions Brisbane in the starting side. Former NRL prop Justin Morgan was introduced as an assistant coach while retired Warriors and Kiwis great Simon Mannering is a trainer.

Kiwi Ferns: Apii Nicholls, Karley Te Kawa, Honey Hireme, Maitua Feterika, Langi Veainu, Raecene McGregor, Kimiora Nati, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Nita Maynard, Aieshaleigh Smalley, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Laura Mariu. Interchange (from): Georgia Hale, Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala, Sui Pauaraisa, Amber Kani, Raquel Anderson-Pittman, Lilieta Maumau.

Murphy my inspiration: Jillaroos skipper

Inspiration won't be far away for Ali Brigginshaw when she steps up as Jillaroos skipper in Saturday's Auckland Test against New Zealand.Brisbane halfback Brigginshaw said she would follow the example set by her idol and retired great Karyn Murphy, who also just happens to be the Jillaroos assistant coach.Brigginshaw will lead the Australian women's rugby league team for the first time after replacing injured skipper Sam Bremner (broken toe).

The Jillaroos captaincy capped a stellar season for Brisbane skipper Brigginshaw who steered the Broncos to the maiden NRL Women's Premiership title, going through the inaugural season undefeated. Brigginshaw felt for Bremner and hoped to do the St George Illawarra fullback proud but admitted another Jillaroos captain would provide her motivation on Saturday - Murphy. The Broncos star said simply having Murphy on the support staff was an inspiration ahead of her Jillaroos captaincy debut. Murphy played 27 Tests including 17 as skipper before her 2014 retirement. The Karyn Murphy Medal for player of the NRLW grand final is named in her honour.

Brisbane Broncos won the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters

THE Jillaroos are bracing themselves for a New Zealand side buzzing with NRL Women’s Premiership success ahead of Saturday’s Auckland Test.The Australian women fear the Kiwi Ferns will be sparked by their huge contingent from Brisbane, which not only claimed the inaugural NRLW title but went through the maiden season undefeated.Seven Broncos feature in the Kiwi Ferns’ 19-strong squad including Karyn Murphy Medallist as Player of the NRLW Final, playmaker Kimiora Nati.Kiwi five-eighth Nati scored three tries in the grand
final as the New Zealand contingent helped steer Brisbane to four straight wins and a staggering 110-30 points differential.“A lot of the girls have been with the Broncos and that is going to help them so I think they are going to be better this time,” Jillaroos lock Annette Brander said.Brander reckons she knows exactly what to expect.The St George Illawarra back-rower came off second best to the Broncos pack spearheaded by Kiwi juggernaut Ngatokotoru Arakua in the Dragons’ first round NRLW loss in Brisbane.“The (NRLW) competition has been really tough and the games just really physical,” Brander said.

Broncos smash Roosters to win inaugural NRLW

Brisbane continued to excel with Brigginshaw placing a kick in the in-goal for Nati's penalty try extending the lead out to a 12-point advantage, before Broncos wrecking ball Ngatokotoru Arakua running onto a short pass from Brittany Breayley to crash over the line a short time later.Baker showed her skill late in the half to split the defence on the left edge
and find Lavinia Gould in support.The Roosters needed to be first to cross in the second half and did through Lavina O'Mealey, another veteran set to hang up the booths this season. She showed sharp footwork to weave over the line in front of a strong 16,214 crowd.Nati's 45th-minute hat-trick ensured no fairytale comeback was on the cards as the Broncos put their name in the history books.

Broncos lift inaugural Holden Women's Premiership trophy

It was a tight tussle early but a crucial four-minute period proved the turning point in the clash as the Broncos were awarded a penalty try before putting their foot down to race to a 28-6 lead at half-time.Broncos five-eighth Kimiora Nati, who took out the Karen Murphy Medal as player of the match, was awarded her second try of the afternoon through foul play with Roosters winger Taleena Simon ruled to have illegally used her leg to jolt the ball free in a try-scoring attempt.

The decision seemed to break the Tricolours' spirit as the Broncos laid on a further two tries in quick succession.Brisbane's big names Ali Brigginshaw, Brittany Breayley and Chelsea Baker were strong in the clash, while Nati completed a strong game to go over for a third try of the afternoon in the only Broncos try in the second half.The Roosters will rue their efforts after posting points in the result, coming up with errors on every occasion.

MATCH PREVIEW Bulldogs v Dolphins

Dolphins: Nathan Watts and Myles Taueli move into the starting pack with Nick Slyney and Aaron Whitchurch to come off the bench. Scott Schulte and Tom Geraghty drop off the extended bench.

Bulldogs: Canterbury are 1-17 with Zac Cardassilaris, Brandon Wakeham, Jesse Martin and D'rhys Miller dropping off the extended bench.

MATCH PREVIEW for NRLW Roosters v Dragons

Key match-up: Isabelle Kelly v Jess Sergis. Both players came off cracking games last week and Sergis, who has played with Kelly for NSW on the wing, will be up for this battle against her old teammate. With both sides spreading the ball wide to their backline, look for the pair to be heavily utilised.

For the Roosters to win: A 55% completion rate is not going to win many games but they need more out of their experienced players, particularly the halves. The forward pack are experienced and making
metres but the final tackle options are leaving a lot to be desired. The Tricolours need to go back to basics, kick early and remain patient with the ball in hand.

For the Dragons to win: They just need to hold the ball. The Dragons improved dramatically with just six errors against the Warriors compared to the previous week and that enabled them to get good flow between the outside backs and forwards. It's clear the Red V were on the same page defensively against the Warriors, and they've got the strike power to challenge anyone if they can utilise the ball.