Match Preview: NRLW Round 1 vs Raiders

Both teams will be eager to get their season off to a winning start after missing the finals in 2023.

Wests Tigers have named three NRLW debutants for Sunday’s fixture, with Harmony Crichton, Shaianne McGlone and Natasha Penitani all set to make their first appearances in the Telstra Women's Premiership.

Tara Reinke, a 25-year-old prop, will make her Wests Tigers debut against her former team, after playing seven games for Canberra last season.

Botille Vette-Welsh has been named to start at fullback after missing the trial against the Broncos due to a foot injury, and joins Kezie Apps as Co-captain.

The Raiders also have a club debutant, with utility Sereana Naitokatoka named on the interchange bench after signing from the Sharks in the off-season.

Fast Facts:

• Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders both played their first seasons of NRLW in 2023.
• Raiders five-eighth Zahara Temara has played the equal-most games in NRLW history with 33 (tied with Ali Brigginshaw and Steph Hancock).
• Wests Tigers debutant Harmony Crichton is the younger sister of NSW Blues star and Samoan international Stephen Crichton.
• These sides have faced off against each other once previously, with the Raiders emerging victorious, 28-22 in Canberra.
• Wests Tigers debutant Shaianne McGlone only played her first game of rugby league in 2022 after lengthy careers in both OzTag and netball.

Wests Tigers take on Mounties in the NSW Women's Premiership curtain-raiser which kicks off at 11:30am.