As it happened: Knights down Warriors; Roosters remain undefeated; Titans salute

Post match

Knights

Warriors

Fulltime: The Knights get a good win at home by downing the Warriors 36-20. It looked early like it would be one-way traffic to the home side, but the Warriors were able to pin things back in the second, aided by a try just before halftime to get them on the front foot going into the second. For the Knights, skipper Yasmine Clysdale impressed, especially in the first half with some strong runs, while half Jesse Southwell impressed throughout with her kicking game. Warriors winger Payton Takimoana scored a hat-trick in a losing side. 

66th min: Points out to the other side for the first time, with Michaela Brake getting into space for the first time in the game, running out to score in the right corner, fending away defenders along the way. Maliepo can't convert and it's narrowed to 36-20 to the Knights. 

63rd min: A hat-trick for Takimoana! This time it's Nicholls with the last pass to the winger, who goes over for her third on the left edge. Some nice work from the Warriors to pin back a try, going through the hands, with Nicholls going through some space and then throwing a long looping ball over to Takimoana. Maliepo gets the tough conversion and it's 36-16. 

56th min: They get another, with Evah McEwen over for a try. The Warriors were unable to find touch earlier, giving the Knights the ball back and a chance to go further in front. The second rower ran a good line onto a Southwell pass to cut back inside and over the line. Southwell slots her sixth conversion of the game for a 36-10 lead. 

50th min: Knights get back on track with Jules Kirkpatrick stealing a try from dummyhalf next to the goal post. The Knights had the Warriors on the back foot with their raids at the line and they were just that bit too slow to react to the hooker darting over. Southwell converts again for 30-10. 

37th min: Takimoana has a try either side of halftime. The Warriors get a penalty and make the most of if, with their Maliepo finding fullback Apii Nicholls who passes out left to Paki, who keeps it going by popping a quick pass to her winger once again. Maliepo's conversion attempt hits the far post, so it remains 24-10. 

Halftime: The Knights head to the sheds with a big 24-6 lead after rolling through the Warriors early. However, while they have been on the back foot from the get-go, the visitors were the last on the board and will be hoping to keep that momentum going when they return for the second half. 

34th min: Warriors get one back with winger Payton Takimoana over in the left corner for an important try. While the play leading up seemed to break down with the ball hitting the deck, they were able to get it out from the middle to the left, with former Knight Emmanita Paki doing well to hold the ball up before flicking it out to her winger. Maliepo slots a great sideline conversion and it's 24-6. 

28th min: More points for the Knights who are a cut above this evening and turning each change into a try. This time it's centre Tenika Willison who dives onto a Southwell grubber behind the Warriors line. Southwell converts again for 24-0. 

Earlier, the Warriors did well to get some field position with a good kick from Patricia Maliepo, only to knock the ball on in their attacking zone. 

27th min: Warriors forward Lavinia Kitai is put on report for a dangerous tackle.

19th min: Tess Staines goes over out wide on the left for a try in her Knights debut. The Knights are on a roll and Southwell converts again for 18-0.

16th min: Warriors lose their captain's challenge, with Butler thinking there was ruck interference involved in her kicking the ball forward in her play the ball, but the Bunker confirms the on-field ruling. 

12th min: Back-to-back for the Knights with skipper Yasmin Clydsdale running support for Georgia Roche who made a break through some scattered Warriors defence. All too easy there for the home side with Southwell slotting the conversion again for a 12-0 lead. 

10th min: Knights lock Kayla Romaniuk goes over to put her side in front early, with Jesse Southwell nailing the conversion for a 6-0 lead. The points come after a back-and-forth opening with a few errors from both sides, but with the majority of possession, the Knights make it count. 

9th min: Warriors prop Harata Butler is put on report and penalised for a hip drop tackle. 

 

Kick off: Knights with the first use of the ball at home. 

Late Mail

Knights: On the back of eight tries in two games in the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership, Tess Staines comes in on the wing in place of Lilly-Ann White. The new 18th player is Viena Tinao. No late changes on game day.

Warriors: Coach Ron Griffiths has named an unchanged line-up for the third week. Lock Latisha Albert-Jones has been a key performer in both games so far and will be gearing up to play her former team where she won the 2023 premiership. Centre Emmanita Paki was in the line-up for the Knights' 2022 premiership victory. No changes in the game day update. 

Broncos v Roosters at Totally Workwear Stadium

Post match

Broncos 

Roosters 

On top in tackle breaks: The Broncos were unable to chase down the Roosters' early lead but they were certainly the more potent side in attack in the second half. Brisbane finished the match with 45 tackle breaks compared to the Roosters' 30 with Mele Hufanga and Keilee Joseph both with six next to their name.

Full time: The Roosters dug deep to hold on to their early lead after the Broncos wrestled 48 per cent of possession back in the second half. The 2024 Premiers were led by skipper Isabelle Kelly who ran for 170 metres, 65 of which were post contact. Olivia Kernick was also inspirational in both attack and defence, adding 41 tackles to her double.

70 min: Brisbane are on the attack but burn a late opportunity when Destiny Brill fumbles the play the ball. But the Broncos are gifted one last opportunity when Kernick knocks it on in play one, however can't come up with a miracle out of the scrum play.

69 min: Brisbane are quick to capitalise on their one-man advantage with some slick hands setting up Johnson in the corner. The Broncos opt to go straight to the kick off with less than a minute on the clock.

68 min: Sergis is sent to the sin bin for not being square at marker after a Kerri Johnson line break put the Broncos in scoring range.

64 min: Under pressure under the high ball, an uncharacteristic error from Upton hands the Roosters a golden opportunity and Keeley Davis and Kernick combine to give the visitors some breathing space. Roosters 30-22.

59 min: The Broncos are looking dangerous on every play but a superb try-saving effort from Isabelle Kelly and Brydie Parker holds up Julia Robinson in the in goal.

57 min: On the back of some tough carries from their front pack, the Broncos come within two points of the Roosters when Upton slices her way through the Roosters' line before combining with Lauren Dam to score. Teitzel adds the extras to make it 24-22.

53 min: After handing Brisbane repeated opportunities in their attacking zone, the Roosters defence finally cracked when late inclusion Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala crashed over with a powerful hit and spin try. Teitzel converts and it's game on 24-16.

48 min: The Roosters look to be in the danger zone when Corban Baxter knocks on a stray Shawden Burton pass which opens up a golden opportunity for the Broncos to attack however they come up with another simple error. Brisbane are running out of time with the scoreboard still sitting at 24-10.

43 min: After the sides go set for set for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Brisbane successfully challenge a knock on and have a golden opportunity to score however the Roosters defence holds firm.

Half-time: After the Roosters dominated possession early in the half, the Broncos managed to wrestle back 43 per cent of possession at the break. The Roosters controlled the match well completing 14 of 19 sets at 73 per cent while the Broncos completed at 53 per cent (8 of 15 sets). Tara McGrath-West is ruled out with a foot injury and won’t return.

30 min: The Broncos come up with an error and the Roosters are back on the attack and Olivia Kernick crashes past Broncos defenders to extend the lead 24-10.

28 min: An error from Sergis hands the Broncos another opportunity enemy territory and Upton makes it a double and clocks up her 30th NRLW try after combining with Ali Brigginshaw close to the line. Romy Teitzel converts to make it 18-10.

18 min: After Roosters dominated possession early, the Broncos wrestled back some momentum and after earning a repeat set on the line Tamika Upton wrestled her way over the line to reduce the deficit 18-4.

12 min: It's looking like it could be a long day out for the Broncos with the Roosters making it three-straight after some slick ball movement opened up space for Otesa Pule to crash through. 

8 min: The Roosters go back-to-back just five minutes later through winger Taina Naividi thanks to some nice lead up work from centre Jess Sergis. Kelleher adds another two points to make it 12-0.

3 min: The Roosters were straight out of the gate with Jasmin Strange showing great strange to open the scoring, crashing over from close range in in just the third minute. Jocelyn Kelleher converts for a 6-0 lead.

Late Mail

Broncos: No late changes after Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala joined the bench on Saturday with Shalom Sauaso ruled out with a sternum injury. Co-captain Tamika Upton remains in the squad at fullback, despite hobbling off in the closing stages of the Titans game with a cork to her leg. Chelsea Lendarduzzi has been named to start at prop, with Brianna Clark (ankle) sidelined. Skyla Adams is 18th player.

Roosters: Taina Naividi returns to the wing after missing last week due to concussion protocols. The Fiji flyer scored three tries in the opening round in an impressive display and comes in to replace last week's debutant Logan Fletcher. No late changes with Jayde Herdegen remaining at No. 18.

Wests Tigers v Titans at Leichhardt Oval

Post match

Wests Tigers

Titans

Jess is best: Jessika Elliston was a standout for the visitors with a staggering 202 metres from 23 runs and 14 tackles with no misses.

Full-time: Despite a slow start to the second half the Titans experience and class shone through in the end to claim their first victory for the season. With the Wests Tigers conceding nine penalties to the Titans four it was the visitors who had the favour of possession (59 per cent) and proved too much for the Tigers defence in the end.

58 min: After repeated sets on their line, The Wests Tigers begin to show cracks in their defence and the Titans extend their lead through Ivana Lolesio, thanks to a nice looping pass from Lofipo. Titans lead 22-12.

50 min: The Titans hit the lead through Georgia Grey after gathering a pin point kick from five-eighth Pauline Piliae-Rasabale. 

49 min: Wests Tigers skipper Kezie Apps is taken from the field for a HIA after clashing with teammate Christian Pio.

46 min: On the back of a run of possession the Titans hit back when young lock Sienna Lofipo muscled her way through the line. Brown converts to make it 12-12.

42 min: The ideal start for the Wests Tigers with some strong carries putting the Gold Coast on the back foot and the home side turned pressure into points when Turnbull made it a hattrick in the right corner. Lutu still can't find the sticks and misses a third straight conversion. Tigers 12-6.

Half-time: The stats speak to the grind of the first stanza with the Titans holding 53 per cent of possession and completing 12 of 19 sets and the Tigers with 47 per cent possession, completing 12 out of 16 sets. Titans prop Jessika Elliston was a standout in the first half with 9 runs for 95 metres.

34 min: After holding off the Titans for repeat sets, the Tigers look to be tested for a third set on the line but the home side challenge a knock on call and earn the ball back to ensure they maintain the lead at half time.

26 min: Turnbull goes from defensive to attacking hero after taking a swift pass from Jetaya Faifua and launching herself at the corner. Lutu misses her second conversion. Wests Tigers 8-6.

20 min: Titans forward Laikha Clarke picks up a loose Tigers ball and has the line wide open to score but the ball is knocked out thanks to some desperate Wests Tigers defence. 

10 min: The Titans hit back when a ricocheting Lauren Brown kick sends superstar Jaime Chapman through untouched. The try July celebrations also continue with the athletic fullback pulling off a backflip to celebrate. Brown converts for a 6-4 lead.

5 min: After five-eighth Evie McGrath gets held up in the in goal the home side open the scoring on the very next play with Losana Lutu kicking cross field for Caitlin Turnbull.  Wests Tigers lead 4-0

Warm-up: A blow for the Wests Tigers with Chelsea Savill straining her quad in the warm-up and withdrawing from the game. Former Rugby Sevens International Faythe Manera comes in for her NRLW debut and Claudia Nielsen is the new 18th player.

 

 

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: Amelia Huakau has come into the starting side an hour before kick-off with Jade Fonua moving to the bench. Salma Nour returns from suspension at hooker, shifting Pihuka Berryman-Duff back to the bench. Faythe Manera is the 18th player.

Titans: A late switch in the pack with Queensland Under 19 forward Takoda Thompson starting and Natasha Penitani going to the bench. Fullback Jaime Chapman returns after missing the Broncos game with hamstring tightness. Last week's debutant Lily Patston shifts from fullback to wing and Georgia Grey goes from centre to wing. 

Numbers Game

• Wests Tigers have won only one of their three games at Leichhardt Oval.
• The Titans have won both matches played against the Tigers.
• Wests Tigers centre Emily Bass has scored seven tries in her last nine games.