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Match Preview: NRLW Round 4 vs Cowboys

Wests Tigers will look to rebound from last Sunday’s loss to the Raiders when they face North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday afternoon in Brisbane.

Brett Kimmorley’s side fell agonisingly short against Canberra Raiders despite a late fightback and a hat-trick from Leianne Tufuga

Tufuga scores three tries in Round 3 against the Raiders
Tufuga scores three tries in Round 3 against the Raiders

Co-captain Botille Vette-Welsh is ruled out of Saturday’s clash after suffering a head knock against the Raiders and is now adhering to HIA protocols.

Kimmorley has shifted Pauline Piliae-Rasabale to fullback with the crafty playmaker Losana Lutu to partner Emily Curtain in the halves.

Former Wallaroo Piliae-Rasabale in action against the Eels
Former Wallaroo Piliae-Rasabale in action against the Eels

It will be the first time the young stars have paired in the halves since they led Wests Tigers to their maiden premiership in the 2022 Harvey Norman Women’s competition.

Balmain junior Imogen Gobran is set to make her NRLW debut as Folau Vaki moves to the reserves after suffering a knee injury in the warm-up last weekend.

The 19-year-old prop last year became the first Balmain junior to progress through all Wests Tigers female pathway teams, and has been named on the bench.

Forward Jessica Kennedy retains her position on the interchange after a late call-up to make her NRLW debut against Canberra, with Rebecca Pollard named in the No.18 jersey.

North Queensland will be aiming to overturn their defeat to Brisbane Broncos, naming two NRLW debutants on the interchange in Essay Banu and Jessikah Reeves.

Cairns product Tahlulah Tillet will also make her long awaited club debut in the halves.

Team Lists:

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 China Polata
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jakiya Whitfeld
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jasmine Peters
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Rikeya Horne
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Mia Middleton
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Leianne Tufuga
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Josie Lenaz
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah Tillett
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 18 Rebecca Pollard
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra Dibb
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Emily Curtain

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha Harden
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Ebony Prior
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 April Ngatupuna
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shaniah Power
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Shellie Long
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Eliza Siilata
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie Weale
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sera Koroi
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie Curtain
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Vitalina Naikore
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Imogen Gobran
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Taylor Osborne
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 21 Jessikah Reeves
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Jessica Kennedy

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jetaya Faifua
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Hope Tevaga

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack:

  • This is the first time both clubs will meet in the NRLW with both looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time in their club's histories.
  • Wests Tigers forward Christian Pio leads the competition with 12 offloads.
  • Cowboys halfback Kirra Dibb is second behind Tayla Preston for most kick metres in the competition with 944. Source: NRL.com
Acknowledgement of Country

Wests Tigers respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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