The Brisbane Broncos are gearing up to face the Canberra Raiders in the opening game of Round 4 of the NRLW season, aiming to build on their recent success. Brisbane comes into this match riding high after securing their first win of the season, a commanding 44-4 victory over their fierce rivals, the Gold Coast Titans. This emphatic win was bolstered by the return of key players, including five-eighth Gayle Broughton, who made her first appearance since undergoing off-season back surgery. Another standout was Olympic gold medallist Stacey Waaka, who made an impressive NRLW debut just a week after leading New Zealand to rugby sevens glory in Paris.
The Broncos are now shifting their focus to a determined Raiders squad, eager to recover from a disappointing loss to the Sharks. The Raiders had started strong in their previous game, leading 12-0 early in the second half, but they couldn’t hold onto their lead as Cronulla surged in the final 25 minutes to claim a 24-12 victory. This defeat marked Canberra’s second consecutive loss after beginning the season with a win in Round 1. To overcome the Broncos on Saturday at Totally Workwear Stadium, the Raiders will need another standout performance from their co-captain and lock, Simaima Taufa, who has been a driving force for the team so far this year.
For the Broncos, head coach Scott Prince has opted to keep the same lineup that delivered last week’s record-breaking performance. Stacey Waaka, who had a successful debut on the wing, will retain her position, while Mele Hufanga, who scored four tries in the previous match, will once again pair with Shenae Ciesiolka in the centres. Ciesiolka made a strong return from injury last week and will be looking to build on that momentum.
On the Raiders’ side, head coach Darrin Borthwick has also decided to stick with the same lineup despite their recent loss to the Sharks. Canberra showed promise in the first half of that game, leading 8-0 at halftime, but struggled to maintain their advantage in the second half, ultimately losing 24-12. The team will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face a Broncos side that has seemingly found its rhythm. Simaima Taufa, who narrowly escaped suspension after receiving a warning for a Dangerous Contact charge in the previous game, will be available to play and will be crucial to Canberra’s chances of success.
As the Broncos and Raiders clash at Totally Workwear Stadium, both teams will be looking to assert themselves and gain crucial momentum early in the season. Brisbane, buoyed by their recent victory, will aim to continue their winning ways, while Canberra will be desperate to break their losing streak and get back on track. The stage is set for an intense battle between two teams with much to prove.
