NRL.com Wrap | Knights re-enter winner's circle with big win over Eels

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NRLW Magic Round from Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Eels v Knights

Media Conferences

Full-time: The Knights have made it 3-2 to start the season with a 20-point win over the Eels in Magic Round. Rookie centre Sidney Taylor was inspirational in just her fifth NRLW match, running the ball 168 metres, breaking eight tackles, a try assist and a try of her own.

67 min: The Eels get one back when Albert shows incredible strength to carry several Newcastle defenders to the line and manage to get the ball away to Keeilee Joseph who crashes over for her first try in blue and gold. Knights 32-12.

64: Parramatta's afternoon goes from bad to worse with Pearson leaving the field for a HIA for which she later failed.

62 min: The Knights mount an attack on the right and Shanice Parker carries the ball downfield and finds Taylor inside but the Eels come up with a huge trysaver. Some simple catch and pass to the left on the next play however sends Taulelei-Siala over for a double on the next play. Knights 32-6.

56 min: Parramatta begin to show cracks in their defence. After the kick off, Dibb looks to the short side to send Taylor through on the right edge who streams downfield before finding Spain in support to score. Knights 28-6.

54 min: Another high ball from Roche and this time the ball bounces back in field and a scheming Tenika Willison beats Church to the ball to regather and score. Knights 22-6.

50 min: This time Newcastle go right and Roche and Dibb combine to hand the ball to Taylor in space and the rookie centre shows incredible strength to muscle her way past several defenders and grab the Knight's third try. Knights 16-6.

48 min: Pearson goes to the air on the last tackle but the ball goes out on the full.

47 min: Pearson is placed on report for a hair pull.

45 min: The Eels are well and truly on the front foot and charge their way downfield before gifted another penalty with Simone Karpani caught not square at marker. The Eels threaten the line but the kick is picked up by Newcastle.

43 min: A touch of class from Todhunter who darts out of dummy half and squares up the defenders before tipping onto a barnstorming Elsie Albert who crashes over for Parramatta's first try. Knights 12-6.

42 min: The Eels march downfield after Roche hands away back-to-back penalties for a dangerous tackle and ball strip.

39 min: Early opportunities go knocking for both sides after Rachael Pearson and Amelia Pasikala both come up with errors in their Red Zone.

Half-time: The Knights take a 12-point lead to the sheds after earning 56 per cent of possession in the first half. Coach Ben Jeffries will no doubt be addressing his side's discipline however, with Newcastle completing just 14 of their 21 sets at 66 per cent, compared to the Eels' 70 per cent.  

30 min: A slow peel from Taneka Todhunter puts the Knights into the Red Zone and Dibb goes to the line and holds up several defenders before slipping an offload to Olivia Higgins who crashes over for the Knights' second try. Knights 12-0.

27 min: Eels debutante Jayde Herdegen slices through the defensive line and finds Abbi Church in support but the fullback is brought down just before the line by Sidney Taylor.

19 min: Newcastle launch a left side raid with some slick hands from Dibb, Spain and Roche to send Mercedez Taulelei-Siala over in the left corner. Knights 6-0.

18 min: The Knights build pressure and get a repeat set after Jasmin Morrissey fumbles a Roche high ball.

12 min: Kirra Dibb grubbers into the in goal to earn the Knights a repeat set but Parramatta's desperate defence forces an error on the next set with Georgia Roche knocking the ball on after Lindsay Tui shot out of the line. Newcastle launch a captain's challenge for high contact but are unsuccessful.

7 min: The Knights look dangerous after some quick hands find Lucy Spain on the right edge but Zali Fay comes up with a great cover tackle and forces the error.

4 min: The Eels get off to a good start, earning back-to-back penalties to mount an early attacking raid however the Knights defence holds firm and Murphy coughs up the football.

3 min: Eels winger Martha Mataele leaves the field for a HIA which she later failed.

2 min: Knights forward Tayla Predebon is placed on report for a hair pull on Eels skipper Mahalia Murphy. 

 

Late Mail 

Eels: A change on game day, with Chloe Jackson returning from injury to start in the second row. Fontayne Tufuga swaps out to 18th player duties. Jasmin Morrissey has also been promoted to the bench, with Khyliah Gray making way. Jayde Herdegen has been promoted to make her club debut at five-eighth in place of  Rosemarie Beckett. Earlier, there was a forced change for the Eels who are looking to bounce back after falling short of their first win against the Warriors last week. Maroons Origin centre Rory Owen will miss this week after suffering a head knock, with PNG Orchid representative Fleur Ginn to slot in. Lindsay Tui is the other centre, with Jasmin Morrisey reverting to the 18th player role. 

Knights: No changes on game day. Powerful forward Amelia Pasikala has been promoted to start in the second row after a strong game against the Broncos last week. Fane Finau shifts to the reserves, while Simone Karpani has been named to make her return to the side via the bench.

 

Warriors v Titans

Media Conferences

Full-time: The Titans ensured Lauren Brown celebrated her 50th game in style, holding on to their early lead to come away with an 18-16 victory over the Warriors. Hooker Georgia Hale made 56 tackles while winger Phoenix-Raine Hippi ran the ball 147 metres. Lock Kaiyah Atai stood tall for the Warriors, making 40 tackles and 142 metres.

70 min: The Warriors have one last roll of the dice after charging down a Titans kick. They find Hufanga on the left edge but the barnstorming centre is brought down by Aleksandra Tunufai. 

63 min: The Warriors are right back in the match with Broughton going high on the last tackle and Stacey Waaka flies through the air to beat Lily Patston to the ball and score. Patricia Maliepo has an opportunity to lock the scoreboard but the conversion falls short. Titans 18-16.

61 min: The Warriors build pressure on their attacking line and go back-to-back when interchange forward Ivana Lauitiiti puts the bumpers up and crashes her way over the line to score. Titans 18-12.

59 min: A crucial error from the Titans with Lolesio knocking the ball on off the tap off immediately after earning a penalty. 

54 min: Three back-to-back penalties tests the Titans defence and it's Mele Hufanga who charges onto an inside ball from former Broncos teammate Gayle Broughton to score her first try as a Warrior. Titans 18-6.

49 min: The Warriors look to post their first points of the match when Takimoana picks up a loose ball and goes over in the right corner but replays show the winger goes into touch. The Warriors however earn a repeat set for a high tackle.

46 min: The Titans work the ball downfield and keep the ball alive when Brown puts in another pin perfect grubber and Bostock shows great speed to ground the ball in the right corner. Titans 18-0.

38 min: Lauren Brown nails a penalty goal from in front to stretch the Titans' lead to 14 after the Warriors were pinged for a late shot on Sienna Lofipo.

36 min: Titans centre Sarina Masaga leaves the field early in the second half which she later failed.

Half-time: On the back of 55 per cent of possession and an 82 per cent completion rate, the Titans take a 12-0 lead to the sheds. Star centre Jaime Chapman had 83 run metres and three tackle breaks 

34 min: Quick hands from the Titan's find Laikha Clarke close to the line but the prop is denied after another desperate cover tackle from Nicholls.

31 min: Warriors forward Harata Butler is helped from the field with what looks to be like a possible knee injury but returns later in the match.

29 min: Titans debutante Enah Desic leaves the field for a HIA which she later failed.

19 min: The Titans mount an attack down the left edge but Nicholls gets across in cover and shows great strength to push Phoenix-Raine Hippi into touch.

16 min: The Titans extend their lead early in the next set with Evania Isa'ako crashing over for her third try of the season. Titans 12-0.

16 min: Brown puts in a grubber on the last tackle and Apii Nicholls knocks it on to hand the Titans a great opportunity.

15 min: The Warriors earn another set on the line and send the ball right to Takimoana but Chapman gets one back, pushing the winger out of touch.

12 min: The Titans hand an opportunity to the Warriors to go on the attack when Indi Bostock knocks down an intercept attempt.

7 min: The Titans launch another raid with Brown finding Jaime Chapman in space down the left but Payton Takimoana comes up with a trysaver and forces the ball loose.

4 min: The Titans make the most of their first opportunity in their attacking zone as Teagan Levi grubbers into the in goal and Ivana Lolesio chasing through to score. Lauren Brown converts in her 50th NRLW match. Titans 6-0

Late Mail

Warriors: No further game day changes after middle forward Ashlee Matapo was brought onto the bench replacing Annetta Nuuausala on Saturday. Mele Hufanga makes her first appearance of the season after her comeback bid fell short last week. The 2025 premiership winner injured her hamstring in the pre-season but is looking to hit the ground running. Hufanga's return will see Stacey Waaka shift to the wing. Up front, hooker Jasmin Huriwai has been ruled out due to a head knock, with Patricia Maliepo to start at dummy half. 

Titans: No late changes for Gold Coast, who are chasing a fourth-straight victory on Sunday afternoon. Former sevens star Teagan Levi continues to develop into one of the most dynamic playmakers in the game and will look to build her partnership with halfback Lauren Brown, who is making her 50th NRLW appearance. 

Numbers Game

• The Warriors have won four of their last five games.
• The Titans downed the Warriors 20-10 last year in their only previous clash.
• Warriors winger Payton Takimoana has scored 10 tries in her last six games in Australia.
• Titans halfback Lauren Brown will make her 50th NRLW appearance.

 

Bulldogs v Broncos

Media conference

Full-time: That's five in a row for the premiers as they continue their outstanding start to 2026. The Broncos have scored 176 points and conceded just 48 across the opening five rounds. The Broncos have won five in a row to start a season for the first time in their history.

68 min: Ash Quinlan delivers a nice cut-out pass for Elizabeth MacGregor to plunge over in the left-hand corner but she is denied for the second time today as Caitlin Urwin scrambles back and drags her down and MacGregor's foot touches the sideline.

65 min: Jesse Southwell runs the ball on the last and turns it inside for Chelsea Lenarduzzi who puts it down. That's a 13th error for the day for the Broncos.

63 min: Tara McGrath-West is brought down just short of the tryline and Jada Ferguson gets into dummy half and burrows over for her team's sixth try. Jesse Southwell bangs over her fifth conversion. Broncos 34-4

60 min: A strip by Caitlin Urwin spills forward from her towards the opposition tryline and a knock-on is called. The Bulldogs reload but an intercept by Jada Ferguson puts an end to the raid.

56 min: Pani Hopoate leaves the field for a HIA after a head clash leaves her with a cut on her face. She is assessed as a Category 2 head knock.

53 min: A spectacular leap from Julia Robinson to get over the top of Monica Tagoai and bring it down for her 34th try as a Bronco. That makes her level with Tamika Upton also with 34. The try was set up by a perfect kick from Jesse Southwell who put it on a dime for her high-flying centre. Broncos 28-4

49 min: Jesse Southwell puts Julia Robinson into space and Tamika Upton looms up in support to take the final pass and race away. Three of the Broncos' big guns combine right there for a try that should seal their fifth win of the season. Southwell converts. Broncos 22-4

47 min: Jesse Southwell puts in a pinpoint kick across to Julia Robinson and the centre flies high but can't control the catch. The Bulldogs come away.

46 min: A mistake by Ash Quinlan has the Bulldogs under pressure close to their own line.

45 min: Chelsea Lenarduzzi keeps the ball alive with a nice offload to Bree Spreadborough who sends a forward pass on to Tamika Upton.

41 min: Latisha Smythe loses the ball in a tackle and a knock-on is called. The Bulldogs use their captain's challenge and the bunker rules a strip by Romy Teitzel with two in the tackle. Penalty Bulldogs.

39 min: A great show of strength from Monica Tagoai to get rid of Julia Robinson and plunge over for the Bulldogs' first try. Tayla Preston misses the conversion. Broncos 16-4

37 min: Simina Lokotui spills a bomb, the ball is picked up by Deleni Paitai who goes close but is just held up by desperate Bulldogs defence.

Leading the way: Alexis Tauaneai was immense for the Bulldogs with 125 metres from 14 runs as well as 15 tackles. She took the game right up to the highly fancied Broncos pack as the Bulldogs tried in vain to crack the line.

Half-time: The Broncos show championship qualities to keep their line intact as the Bulldogs mount plenty of pressure. The premiers played the last seven minutes of the half with 12 players after Ali Brigginshaw was sin binned but they refused to crack and then went down the other end and scored on the stroke of half-time to make it 16-0.

35 min: Despite being a player down the Broncos strike right on half-time as Tamika Upton goes to first receiver and puts Georgia Bartlett into a hole with a perfectly timed pass. Jesse Southwell converts. Broncos 16-0

34 min: Tayla Preston sends her clearing kick out on the full and the Broncos set up camp inside the red zone.

33 min: Rhemy Hinckesman goes to the line and creates some second-phase play with an offload but Tamika Upton puts the ball down as the Broncos look to swing the ball to the right.

30 min: Tayla Preston goes for a grubber on the last tackle but the kick is easily defused by Georgia Bartlett and the Broncos come away again.

28 min: Ali Brigginshaw comes up with a shocking tackle on Tayla Preston as she picks her up and drives her into the turf neck first. Brigginshaw is put on report and sent to the sin bin. The Broncos go down to 12 players.

25 min: Tayla Preston kicks into the in-goal and Deleni Paitai cleans it up for a line dropout. Jesse Southwell's dropout just gets past the 10m line and the Dogs can't make the catch. Broncos scrum.

24 min: The Broncos come up with an error 15m out when Deleni Paitai puts it down. The Broncos throw in a captain's challenge but come up empty and they must defend their line again.

23 min: Alexis Tauaneai is held up over the tryline as the Bulldogs continue to push but on the next play she puts down a tough pass.

20 min: Concerted attack by the Bulldogs but the Broncos hold firm with Tamika Upton covering up a Tayla Preston grubber at the end of the set.

15 min: Andie Robinson comes up with an error in Julia Robinson's tackle and the Broncos work the ball out of their own end.

12 min: Shannon Mato's offload puts Brianna Clark into space and Bree Spreadborough looms in support and takes the final pass to race away and score. Jesse Southwell converts. Broncos 10-0

11 min: The Bulldogs try to muscle up in defence but Alexis Tauaneai gets it wrong and is penalised and placed on report for a high tackle.

10 min: The Bulldogs look to have hit back as Ash Quinlan sends a lofted pass over the top to Elizabeth MacGregor who powers through defenders and slams the ball down in the corner. The bunker rules that Monica Tagoai had stopped in the defensive line and obstructed Broncos tacklers. NO TRY.

8 min: Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa is taken high by Brianna Clark and the Bulldogs march up field.

7 min: Jesse Southwell's kick is charged down and the Broncos get six-again but Lauren Dam comes up with an error early in the set.

2 min: A slashing start from the Broncos as Deleni Paitai makes plenty of ground down the left before the ball is spun to the right. A superb offload by Shannon Mato creates second-phase play and Tamika Upton puts Lauren Dam over for the opening try. Jesse Southwell fails to convert. Broncos 4-0

Late Mail

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are 1-17 with no late changes on game day. There has been just one change to last week's side, Giovanni Suani replacing Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala on the interchange. Winger Simina Lokotui has scored four tries in her last two games. 

Broncos: The premiers line up 1-17 with no late changes. The loss of Lillian Yarrow to a head knock will see Shannon Mato start at prop. Winger Kerri Johnson has also been ruled out with a shoulder injury so Georgia Bartlett moves to the wing and rookie Deleni Paitai lines up in the centres. Second-rower Romy Teitzel will play her 50th NRLW game.

Numbers Game

• The Bulldogs have scored 52 points in their last two games.
• Broncos fullback Tamika Upton scored four tries in her only game against the Bulldogs.
• Bulldogs winger Simina Lokotui has scored four tries in her last two games.
• Broncos second-rower Romy Teitzel will play her 50th NRLW game.