The Brisbane Broncos have their sights on a winning start to the NRLW season when they host the Wests Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane will unveil star recruit Tamika Upton for the match, with the fullback returning home after three years in Newcastle.
Upton is set to add an exciting X-factor to the Broncos attack and her combination with halves Gayle Broughton and Ali Brigginshaw will pose plenty of questions for the Tigers defence.
The visitors enter the season eager to build on last year's 10th-placed finish, with coach Brett Kimmorley confident his young talent will take a big step forward.
Veteran Kezie Apps continues to lead the way and emerging halfback Losana Lutu is set to take charge of the side's attack.
Match: Broncos v Wests Tigers
Round 1 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Broncos: Tamika Upton will line up at fullback in her return to the Broncos and will co-captain the side alongside halfback Ali Brigginshaw. New Zealand star Gayle Broughton has been named at five-eighth, with Jada Ferguson rounding out the spine at hooker. Jillaroos star Julia Robinson is set to start in the centres for the first time since 2020, with Kerri Johnson and Hayley Maddick to line up on the wing. Young Maroons prop Keilee Joseph will lead the Brisbane pack while Romy Teitzel will look to make an impact as an edge-forward.
Wests Tigers: Coach Brett Kimmorley has named a young halves duo of Evie McGrath and Losana Lutu as he looks to develop the next generation of future stars. Veteran Kezie Apps will provide crucial leadership for a forward pack also featuring Jillaroo Sarah Togatuki at prop and off-season recruit Pihuka Berryman-Duff at hooker. Queensland representative Emily Bass is set to line up in the centres in her first match for the Tigers.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jetaya Faifua
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Winger for Broncos is number 2 Kerri JohnsonWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Terina Te Tamaki
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Lily Rogan
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Julia RobinsonCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Emily Bass
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Hayley MaddickWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Caitlin Turnbull
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle BroughtonFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Evie McGrath
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana Lutu
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Keilee JosephProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada FergusonHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna ClarkProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tara McGrath-West2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Montana Clifford
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Bree SpreadboroughLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Jade Fonua
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Destiny BrillInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Chelsea Savill
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea LenarduzziInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Tafito LafaeleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jessikah Reeves
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Shalom SauasoInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Amelia Huakau
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Lauren DamReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Faythe Manera
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Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Reegan HicksReserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Claudia Brown
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Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausalaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Claudia Nielsen
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Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Azalleyah MaakaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Rebecca Pollard
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Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Montaya HudsonReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Iemaima Etuale
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won five from six at Totally Workwear Stadium.
- The Tigers have lost all four games at Queensland venues.
- Broncos prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi has scored in both games against Wests Tigers.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
