NRL.com Wrap | Spirited Knights fall short at Allianz

Full-time: What a game that was! The Roosters have done enough to take down the Knights 12-10 in a thriller at Allianz Stadium. The home side had everything go their way in the first half, making 60 to 70 metres every set through their powerful forwards, and they took a 12 point lead through tries to Jess Sergis and Olivia Kernick. The Knights were a different team in the second half as they enjoyed equal possession and the forwards started making in-roads. A try midway through the second half had them right in the contest and there was only a conversion separating them from a remarkable comeback. Olivia Kernick and Millie Elliott led the charge for Roosters; Kernick making 192 metres and scoring a try, while Elliott notched 128 run metres.

70th min: The Knights do their best to go the length and despite Corban Baxter struggling to field the kick, the Roosters survive.

Injury update: Lucy Spain has passed her HIA and returns to the field.

69th min: The Knights are over in the corner! Kirra Dibb gets the ball out wide to Tenika Willison, who puts on the in-and-away to draw two defenders before she offloads to Mercedez Taulelei-Siala to dance down the touch line to score. Dibb just fades the conversion attempt away to the right. Roosters lead 12-10.

66th min: The two teams are throwing every at each other and working it out of their own end, Knights winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala spills the ball. A Captain's Challenge reveals the ball was stripped and the Knights instead receive a penalty to get into the Roosters' half.

62nd min: The Knights get more chances to attack on the back of the boot of Kirra Dibb and have multiple sets on the Roosters' line. But it all comes undone when Amelia Pasikala pulls out of a run and can't hold the ball.

57th min: Lucy Spain bravely takes a Jocelyn Kelleher spiral bomb under intense pressure and is left on the turf after what is deemed a high tackle from Olivia Kernick. Spain's head took a heavy hit on the ground and she leaves the field for HIA.

52nd min: Kirra Dibb's kicking game is proving a menace for the Roosters and this time Corban Baxter puts the bomb down and the Knights are looking for another try.

49th min: The Knights are over! After a Kirra Dibb kick forced a dropout, the Knights find the stripe on the next set thanks to Olivia Higgins burrowing her way through a wall of Roosters defenders to score under the posts. Kirra Dibb converts. Roosters lead 12-6.

44th min: A crazy passage of play! On the back of a repeat set, the Roosters look set to score before an intercept to Shanice Parker, who is run down by Jess Sergis. Sergis strips the ball from Parker, then weaves her way through defenders before spilling the ball under no pressure on half way and the Knights go on the attack.

39th min: The Knights have started this half strongly, forcing an error from the Roosters after putting pressure on Tarryn Aiken as she prepared to kick. Aiken has the last laugh though, fielding a last tackle grubber on the try line and making sure she ends up in goal to attract a penalty for a second effort by the Knights.

Half-time: The Roosters go into the sheds with just a 12-0 lead after a dominating every aspect of the first half against the Knights. The Roosters have nearly three times the run metres and are making 20 metres more per set than the Knights, enjoying 60% possession. But the Knights have been digging deep to keep it to 12, maintaining desperation in defence on their goal line. Another bright spot has been the performance of fullback Lucy Spain on debut, doing an excellent job in defence while also looking dynamic in the few attacking opportunities she has had.

34th min: The Knights get their first look at the Roosters' try line. Lucy Spain wraps around to create an overlap but Shanice Parker's bid to get to the corner is stopped by Isabelle Kelly.

31st min: The Roosters have crossed the try line again. Sariah Paki thinks she has her first try in NRLW but the last pass from Jocelyn Kelleher is deemed forward.

Injury update: Knights second rower Fane Finau has passed her HIA and will return to the field.

29th min: The Knights get a much needed penalty to help get a rare look at the Roosters' end of the field but Kirra Dibb fails to find touch.

26th min: The Roosters' dominance has paid more dividends. On the back of a fantastic run from Jess Sergis, Olivia Kernick tucks the ball under one arm and fends with the other, ultimately running over the top of three Knights to score under the sticks. Jocleyn Kelleher makes no mistake. Roosters lead 12-0.

23rd min: The Roosters are consistently getting in position to put attacking kicks on the end of their sets, but on this occasion Mercedez Taulelei-Siala flies high for the Knights to defuse the situation.

18th min: The Roosters are making metres with ease along with enjoying their weight of possession, but can't quite execute in attack in the face of the Knights' desperate defence goal line defence.

Injury update: Knights second rower Fane Finau has left the field for a HIA.

13th min: The Roosters have their first try of the game through Jess Sergis. Tarryn Aiken has time on her side and throws a cutout pass to winger Brydie Parker. Despite the calls for a forward pass from Aiken to Parker, she gets into the backfield and finds Sergis in support. Jocelyn Kelleher converts from in front. Roosters lead 6-0.

8th min: A faux block play has Jessica Sergis breaking through and racing towards the try line. Lucy Spain takes her down, but Sergis appears to get a pass away and the Roosters go over to score. On Bunker review, it is decided there was no momentum in the tackle when Sergis offloaded and it's a penalty to the Knights.

6th min: The Roosters are warming to the task and Sariah Paki gets put through a gap, finishing off with a quick play-the-ball. With momentum, Tarryn Aiken runs deep into the line on last tackle and puts a grubber through for Lucy Spain to clean up.

4th min: The Knights are winning the yardage battle early on the back on two excellent long kicks finding space behind the Roosters back three.

Kickoff: We're underway in what is set to be a blockbuster clash at Allianz Stadium.

Late Mail

Roosters: The Roosters are 1-18 with no changes for John Strange after a strong first-up win over the Titans. Allianz Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Roosters with nine wins from 10 games at the venue. Mia Wood is the 18th player.

Knights: With Georgia Roche suspended, Botille Vette-Welsh comes in for her first game of the season at five-eighth. Lucy Spain will make her first appearance at fullback in place of Lilly-Ann White, who suffered a syndesmosis injury against the Sharks. No changes in the 90-minute squad update with Nakia Davis-Welsh the 18th player. Grace Giampino, Joeli Morris and Stella Lewis came out of the squad in the 24-hour update.

Bulldogs v Titans at Accor Stadium

Media conferences

Full-time: The Titans have opened their account for season 2026 with a brilliant performance against the Bulldogs, earning a 36-10 win at Accor Stadium. While Lauren Brown was instrumental and the forward pack was strong despite missing Jessika Elliston, it was Jaime Chapman who stole the show with four tries and a try assist, notching two in each half. The Bulldogs had a dominant period in the 15 minutes after half-time but couldn't take enough advantage of their attacking opportunities.

69th min: Sienna Lofipo gets over the line after marking a chip kick from Lauren Brown, but is remarkably held up.

66th min: She's not done yet. Jaime Chapman gets the ball off a scrum and bumps off Moana Courtenay to crash over for her fourth try of the game. The Titans centre gets up with a slight limp after a legs tackle and she gets an early mark. Lauren Brown's conversion attempt hits the post padding. Titans lead 36-10.

64th min: A short ball from Evania Isa'ako puts Lauren Brown en route to the corner, but the cover defence does just enough to push her into touch.

62nd min: Jaime Chapman has continued her wow of a game, this time being the provider as she gets between two defenders and throws the offload to Georgia Grey to score her first try of the season. Lauren Brown can't convert. Titans lead 32-10.

59th min: It's another NRLW try for Teagan Levi. Stepping back inside against the grain, Levi brushes off her opposite number Ash Quinlan and slices through to score a classy try. Lauren Brown converts from in front. Titans lead 28-10.

54th min: The Bulldogs are finally over after sustaining the pressure. Despite Monica Tagoai facing a numbered-up Titans defence, she goes straight through three defenders and slams the ball down. Tayla Preston hits the post with the conversion attempt and is waved away. Titans lead 22-10.

52nd min: The Bulldogs are causing some problems for the Titans defence with second-phase play, but can't execute the final pass to make the most of it. Evelyn Roberts goes awfully close to scoring on debut at dummy half, but is held up.

48th min: Jaime Chapman has a hat-trick! Lauren Brown's short kicking game is proving too good for the Bulldogs and after it earned the Titans multiple repeat sets, Chapman chases through and steals the ball off Bulldogs Andie Robinson in grounding the ball. Lauren Brown converts the try from the sideline. Titans lead 22-6.

43rd min: So close! On the back of a penalty and repeat set, Bulldogs backrower Tamika Jones reaches out but the Titans do just enough to force the error.

39th min: The Bulldogs are on in the second half. Tayla Preston grubbers a kick through after heaping pressure on the Titans and the bounce of the ball falls the way of Hope Millard to score. The home side started strongly with the ball then forcing the error from the Titans as they worked it out of their end. Preston converts the try. Titans lead 16-6.

Half-time: The Bulldogs have last use of the ball but can't break through the Titans, who lead 16-0 after a dominant first half. The Titans have enjoyed 61% possession and taken full advantage, with two tries to Jaime Chapman. The damage could have been worse for the Bulldogs, who have been desperate in defence, but are struggling to mount any threat in attack.

33rd min: Lily Kolc gets over for the Titans but is just held up, the try saved by the arm of Leilani Wilson and tackle of Hope Millard.

28th min: After the Titans enjoy three repeat sets on the attack, Jaime Chapman makes an error and the Bulldogs defence holds on.

23rd min: The Titans run of momentum ends with an error from Georgia Hale on half way, but Ash Quinlan's pass putting her backrower away to score is forward.

21st min: Jaime Chapman has a double! Lauren Brown chips over the top and finds space enough for Chapman to win the race to the ball and she breaks through one would-be defender to score a try. Brown, who recovered from a late hit after kicking, shaves the upright with her goalkick and the ball deflects in. Titans lead 16-0.

 

17th min: Evania Isa'ako has her first try as a backrower! On the back of a fortunate penalty and a scything run from Teagan Levi, the ball goes out wide left to Isa'ako, who looks to be held upright over the try line, but she squirms her way to ground and just gets it down. Lauren Brown misses the conversion attempt. Titans lead 10-0.

13th min: After surviving in their own 20m zone, the Bulldogs receive a relieving penalty to march into Titans territory. A cross-field kick is the fifth tackle option and Georgia Grey makes a brilliant catch to shut down the threat.

9th min: Jaime Chapman with an unbelievable individual try! The Titans centre, working it out of her own end, busts through two defenders 10m out from her own line, throws Tayla Preston out of the way and puts on the afterburners to score. Lauren Brown converts from in front. Titans lead 6-0.

5th min: The Bulldogs get the first look on attack after the Titans make the first error of the game, but Pauline Suli-Ruka puts it down late in the count, coming out second best in a strong tackle from Lauren Brown.

4th min: Both teams are looking slick to start this one, completing powerful sets up the middle.

Kickoff: We're away on a stunning day here at Accor Stadium.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs have made a raft of game day changes, with centre Daynah Nankivell ruled out, Moana Courtenay shifting from the wing to take her place and Simina Lokotui elevated to start on the flank. Kalosipani Hopoate joins the starting line-up at prop, with Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa shifting to lock and Leilani Wilson reverting to the pine, while Evelyn Roberts joins the interchange to make her NRLW debut at the expense of Ebony Prior, who is 18th player. Kiwi Ferns representative Ashleigh Quinlan has taken over in the five-eighth role from Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau after being 18th player last week.

Titans: New recruit Indie Bostock will make her club debut on the wing in one of two late changes to Karyn Murphy's side. The former Dragon takes the place of Evania Isa'ako, who moves from wing to start in the second row, with Takoda Thompson now on the interchange. Knee injuries to fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati and Jessika Elliston have brought Lily Patston and Fanua Rimoni into the side, with Rimoni making her NRLW debut. Patston debuted last season and looked good in her four games before a syndesmosis injury ended her campaign. Enah Desic remains 18th player.

Cowboys v Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Keeping the Faythe: Shifting to five-eighth and also spending plenty of time at dummy half, Faythe Manera was a star with three tries in the 30-18 win. Manera had eight tackle breaks and three line breaks in a classy display.

Full-time: The Tigers have back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 8-9 in 2024 as they celebrate Raecene McGregor's 50th NRLW game in style. After winning just one game last season the Tigers are off to a flyer and look a totally different proposition in 2026.

69 min: Jasmine Peters comes up with a dropped ball as she crouches down low to try and take a kick right on the goal line.

65 min: Rosie Kelly goes to the air, Francesca Goldthorp flies high and taps the ball down to Margot Vella who crosses in the left-hand corner. Emma Manzelmann can't convert from wide out. Tigers 30-18

62 min: Shaylee Bent continues her impressive start to the season as she takes an inside pass from Brooke Talataina and surges over to ice the win for the Tigers. Raecene McGregor converts. Tigers 30-14

61 min: Essay Banu comes up with an error and the Cowboys are under the pump.

59 min: Tigers winger Emily Bass leaves the field with a leg injury.

56 min: Francesca Goldthorp has a second try courtesy of a pinpoint cross field kick by Rosie Kelly. The ball is taken on the full by Goldthorp for an impressive try that continues the Cowboys' resurgence. Emma Manzelmann converts. Tigers 24-14

53 min: A spilled bomb by Emily Bass has the Cowboys inside the red zone again and Haylee Hifo grabs a try on debut courtesy of slick hands by Margot Vella, Tallara Bamblett and Jasmine Peters. Tigers 24-8

52 min: Abigail Roache comes out of trouble with a powerhouse run but comes down awkwardly in the tackle and clutches for her leg but she is able to play on.

49 min: A high tackle against Tara Reinke allows the Cowboys to go on the attack.

46 min: Faythe Manera has a hat-trick as she again gets into dummy half and throws a dummy to her left and dives over to extend the Tigers' lead. Raecene McGregor converts. Tigers 24-4

45 min: Jasmine Peters loses control of the ball. The Cowboys challenge the knock-on ruling. The bunker supports the on-field call and the Tigers are on the attack again.

42 min: Abigail Roache does a great job to clean up a grubber and get back into the field of play before earning to penalty to bring the Cowboys out of trouble.

41 min: Bree Chester is penalised for staying on too long in the tackle and the penalty carries the Tigers down inside the red zone.

38 min: Raecene McGregor dummies her way through the line and gets over the stripe but is held up. She then goes to the boot on the last tackle but the Cowboys take the ball on the full and come away with seven tackles.

Half-time: Despite having only 44 per cent of possession the Tigers come up with three tries courtesy of a double to Faythe Manera and a late four-pointer to Sarah Togatuki, who ran for 64 metres and had five tackle breaks in a powerhouse first half.

35 min: Sarah Togatuki powers through three defenders to score on the stroke of half-time as the Tigers open up a big lead at the break. Raecene McGregor converts. Tigers 18-4

32 min: Faythe Manera gets into dummy half and darts over from close range after Sarah Togatuki had bent the Cowboys line with a strong charge. Raecene McGregor converts. Tigers 12-4

30 min: Sarah Togatuki gets over the stripe but the Cowboys manage to strip the ball in the act of scoring. No try. Line dropout Cowboys.

26 min: The Cowboys finally crack the Tigers as Francesca Goldthorp cuts off her left foot and surges over the line despite a last-ditch effort by Kezie Apps. The conversion attempt by Rosie Kelly hits the upright. Tigers 6-4

25 min: A grubber from close range by Rosie Kelly is cleaned up by Emily Bass who is trapped in-goal. Tigers dropout.

20 min: The Cowboys launch a long kick from their own side of halfway, the Tigers get a cruel bounce, Francesca Goldthorp chases through and gathers the ball to score but replays show a number of chasers were in front of the kicker. The 'try' is ruled out. Tigers 6-0

18 min: The Cowboys have had 66 per cent of possession and can't turn it into points as the ball is spilled again.

16 min: Emily Bass and Caitlin Turnbull get in a tangle under a high ball and Bass spills it. Cowboys inside the red zone again.

14 min: A line break for Holli Wheeler who is dragged down 10 metres out and loses the ball. The Tigers challenge the call and claim a strip. The bunker rules there was no strip. Challenge unsuccessful.

13 min: Emma Manzelmann tries to scoop the ball up one-handed at dummy half but she loses control.

11 min: Lydia Turua-Quedley goes to the boot but the grubber is too strong and the Tigers come away with a seven-tackle set but they are penalised early in the set for obstruction and the opportunity is lost.

10 min: Shenae Lendill is placed on report for a hip drop on Tayla Curtis and the penalty has the Cowboys inside the red zone.

9 min: The Cowboys are caught on the last through Tayla Curtis and the ball is turned over.

7 min: The kick-off is allowed to bounce by the Tigers and the ball goes dead. Tigers dropout.

6 min: Faythe Manera takes a pass from 10 metres out and throws a big dummy before slicing through two defenders to open the scoring. Raecene McGregor converts. Tigers 6-0

5 min: A powerful run down the left wing by Lily Rogan and she earns a penalty as the Cowboys defender hold her down for too long.

Kick-off: And we're underway in Townsville on a glorious Saturday afternoon with the temperature sitting on 24 degrees.

Late Mail

Cowboys: Margot Vella has been moved from wing to fullback on game day with Tallara Bamblett going to the bench. Francesca Goldthorp moves to the wing, Abigail Roach into the centres and Lydia Turua-Quedley comes off the bench to play five-eighth. Prop Essay Banu goes to the bench and Tayla Curtis starts the game. Dual international Haylee Hifo makes her NRLW debut on the wing in place of Sian Williams, who has entered the NRL’s concussion protocol. Hifo, 23, has represented Tonga in rugby league and rugby union. 

Wests Tigers: No further changes on game day after Faythe Manera came into starting line-up at five-eighth in No.16 on Friday to replace Losana Lutu (shoulder). Brooke Talataina and Harmony Crichton joined the interchange bench. Star recruit Raecene McGregor will play her 50th career game as the Tigers chase back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 8-9 in 2024.