The nib Newcastle Knights will kick off their NRLW season against the Brisbane Broncos at this Sunday's Tripe Header at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The team will be desperate to kick off their 2022 season with a crucial two points.
Powerhouse duo fullback Tamika Upton and prop Millie Boyle will make their Club debut as they go head-to-head with their former side.
Tough opponents, the Broncos, are renowned for their success in the women's game having won three previous competitions.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 1 NRLW clash with the Brisbane Broncos.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v BRISBANE BRONCOS
Date: Sunday, August 21, 2022
Kick-off: 6:15pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Meet the full NRLW squad
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Gates/ Fan Zone open: 1:15pm
NSW Cup kick-off: 1:30pm
NRL kick-off: 4:05pm
Game Day itinerary: See here
Griffiths: Preparations for season and coming together
Theme: Voice for Mining
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: NRLW Membership
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Raffle: Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Match Day Sponsor: NSW Mining
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Played: 1
Knights: 0
Broncos: 1
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Jaime Chapman
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Kiana TakairangiWinger for Broncos is number 2 Julia Robinson
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Broncos is number 3 Amy Turner
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Autumn-Rain Stephens-DalyWinger for Broncos is number 5 Emily Bass
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra DibbFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Caitlan JohnstonProp for Broncos is number 8 Sophie Holyman
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Broncos is number 9 Nita Maynard
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Millie BoyleProp for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Sara Sautia
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Amber Hall
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Broncos is number 13 Tallisha Harden
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Emma ManzelmannInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada Ferguson
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Kaitlyn Phillips
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Kyra SimonInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Crystal Tamarua
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Jasmine Fogavini
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Caitlin MoranReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Shakiah Tungai
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
Internationals Hannah Southwell and Millie Boyle will lead the side into the new season after being confirmed as co-captains in Head Coach Ronald Griffiths’ Round 1 side.
Commonwealth Games rugby sevens gold medallist Jesse Southwell will make her Knights and NRLW debut after being named at halfback, where she will line up alongside the experience of Kirra Dibb at five-eighth.
In all, 10 members of the starting 17 are in line to make their Knights NRLW debut.
Boyle: Named Co-Captain and Round 1 test
For the Broncos, prop Sophie Holyman, fullback Jamie Chapman and hooker Nita Maynard are on the starting side. Holyman will make her NRLW debut after joining the Broncos from the Sevens Rugby and Queensland Reds.
Jasmin Fogavini and Crystal Tamarua will play off the interchange.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tamika Upton v Jaime Chapman: Upton brings world-class skills and is regarded as one of the elite fullbacks in the women's game, winning two State of Origin titles with the Queensland Maroons and two NRLW Premierships with the Brisbane Broncos.
Upton has scored seven tries in the NRLW since her debut in 2019.
Upton: Playing the old side and building into season
On the other side, Chapman runs nearly 100 metres on average and has made six appearances for three tries and 23 tackle busts.
STAT ATTACK
The Knights have previously played the Broncos once in the 2021 season.
The Broncos have a strong record in the competition, including winning four out of five games last season and three premierships since 2018.
Millie Boyle averaged 198 run metres last season on her way to the Dally M Medal.
Southwell: Co-captaincy and playing on Sunday
For percentage set completion, the Broncos rank first with 80 percent while the Knights rank 62 percent. The new red and blue team will look to turn this around on Sunday night.
