BY VIV

The NRLW season begins in 20 days and this weekend we get a taste of what is to come for the Raiders as they head to Wagga Wagga to take on the Knights in a preseason trial. This will be a hard but useful test for the Raiders to see how their 2024 squad stacks up. I know trials don’t mean anything but going into our first game without a trial to test our combinations cost us on the field and in a tight competition we need to be ready to go on July 28 against the Tigers.

The Knights are aiming for a 3-peat and have managed to keep their squad largely intact from last year. Their only losses have been Jasmin Strange (wing) and Tiana Davison (second row) to the Roosters. They’ve picked up Grace Kukutai and Isabella Waterman from Super Rugby Aupiki and promoted Jacinta Carter from a development contract. Waterman will debut this Saturday on the wing and Kukutai starts in the second row for the Knights. 

The Raiders have more potential debutants this weekend with Tatiana Finau (second row), Jaida Faleono (bench), Claudia Finau, Georgia Willey, and Felice Quinlan on the extended bench. Both sides have named players outside their top 27 in this weekend’s team list. Raiders NRLW fans will notice Jess Gentle listed in the extended bench for Newcastle. Raiders NRLM sickos, yes, that is Josh Papalii’s sister Crystal listed in jersey 26. Crystal has been playing Katrina Fanning Shield footy for the West Belconnen Warriors this year and has played in the BMD Premiership up in Queensland.

Notable absences from the team list are Amelia Pasikala, Relna Wuruki-Hosea, and Sereana Naitokatoka who are part of the main squad. 

Key Matchups

Apii Nicholls vs Tamika Upton

Unfortunately for the Raiders, Tamika Upton will be backing up from State of Origin so our number one job will be to not give her any time or space. Upton has played BMD Premiership and State of Origin, so she is going to be fit and sharp. Depending on how many minutes Upton gets on the weekend, Nicholls won’t have the opportunity to ease into the match.

Grace Kukutai vs Tatiana Finau

The new signings will be looking for a strong debut. In addition to rugby union 7s and XV, Grace Kukutai has also spent some time playing netball in the ANZ Premiership in Centre and more importantly Wing Defence. Tatiana Finau was spotted playing league in Auckland, moving to Australia to play Harvey Norman Premiership with the Bulldogs before getting an NRLW deal with the Raiders. Finau reportedly is a handy goal kicker. I am genuinely undecided about what is better, WD supremacy or goal-kicking forwards

Rookie Radar

Jaida Faelono

Jaida comes to the Raiders from the Gold Coast where she graduated from Keebra Park High. She was in the Gold Coast Titans Academy and ran around for Bond in Premier Rugby and the Queensland 7s Academy. She moved to Canberra and worked her way up through Tarsha Gale to get her NRLW contract this year. A prop to watch!

In Conclusion

The Raiders to kick off their premiership-winning season with a late 2-point field goal from Tatiana Finau.

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