At least 12 players are set to make their first NRLW appearances for the Warriors when they open their 2020 season against defending premier Brisbane at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday (3.00pm kick-off local time; 6.00pm NZT).
New coach Brad Donald’s starting line-up includes the only five players he is able to call on who have had previous NRLW experience for the club – captain Georgia Hale at loose forward, Hilda Peters on the right wing, Crystal Tamarua at prop, Kanyon Paul at hooker and Madison Bartlett in the second row.
The only other player who has worn the club’s colours is Tokoroa-born Shontelle Stowers, who represented the Warriors at this year’s NRL Nines in Perth.
Other selection features include Jillaroos and former Sydney Roosters players in the key spine roles at fullback (Karina Brown), standoff (Kirra Dibb) and halfback (Simone Smith).
And starting in the second row is Tazmin Gray – Kiwi Jordan Rapana’s sister – who was a premiership winner with the Broncos last year, played for the Roosters in 2018 and has represented both Australia and Queensland in the women’s State of Origin series.
Named on the left wing is Australian sevens rugby union star Ellia Green with teammate Evania Pelite named in the centres. They were both in Australia’s gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Gray has the most NRLW experience in the squad, having in a total of eight matches – including both grand finals – in the competition’s first two seasons. Brown has appeared in each of the Roosters’ seven matches while Hale and Peters played in all of the Warriors’ six games in 2018 and 2019.
