Match Preview: NRLW Round 2 vs Sharks

Author: Mitchell Roese & Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Fri 28 Jul 2023, 10:24 PM

After an emphatic victory against the Eels, Wests Tigers NRLW team heads to Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday to face Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 2.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 30 Jul

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sharks

Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney

Highlights Latest

It will be the second meeting between these two sides in the space of a month, the Sharks defeating Wests Tigers 22-nil in the teams' one and only pre-season trial.

Kimmorley has named an unchanged 22-player squad from last Sunday’s 36-8 victory over Parramatta Eels, which saw his side pile on 32 unanswered points in the second half.

Sarah Togatuki and co-captain Kezie Apps will again be called on to lead the forward pack. Togatuki was near unstoppable through the middle against the Eels amassing 240 run metres and a try in her club debut.

Making an immediate impact off the bench last weekend was Losana Lutu. The NSW Under-19s play-maker will again be called on to make a difference as an interchange at Belmore.

Vette-Welsh embraced by halfback Emily Curtain

After fittingly becoming Wests Tigers’ NRLW inaugural try-scorer, fullback and co-captain Botille Vette-Welsh got through her first game in 18 months unscathed and will be better for the run.

Ebony Prior was another standout performer against the Eels, and sits third on the Dally M Leader board following her solid NRLW debut in Round 1.

Prior causing problems through the middle

Prior’s service from dummy half was impressive at CommBank Stadium, giving width to the team’s attack and space for her outside backs.

The Sharks have made one change to their squad following last weekend’s first ever NRLW win, with Rhiannon Byers (wrist) replaced by Tegan Dymock on the bench.

Team Lists:

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 30 Jul

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh

Fullback for Sharks is number 5 Andie Robinson
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jakiya Whitfeld

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Annessa Biddle
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Rikeya Horne

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Leianne Tufuga

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kiana Takairangi
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Josie Lenaz

Winger for Sharks is number 18 Cassie Staples
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Tonegato
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Emily Curtain

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Ebony Prior

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Harata Butler
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Eliza Siilata

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie Curtain

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Sereana Naitokatoka
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Losana Lutu

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Taylor Osborne

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Chloe Saunders
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Folau Vaki

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman