NRLW Round 5 team lists, ins and out, changes, injury updates, Mele Hufanga returns for Warriors

Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers, Saturday 11:35am @ Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Sharks Team: 1. Jada Taylor 2. Cassie Staples 3. Madison Higgins-Ashby 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Georgia Ravics 6. Georgia Hannaway 7. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Manilita Takapautolo 12. China Polata 13. Najvada George 14. Annemarie Kiria-Ratu 15. Tegan Dymock 16. Jaydika Tafua 17. Jacinta Carter 18. Rhiannon Byers 19. Leilani Ahsam 20. Koffi Brookfield 21. Filomina Hanisi 22. Tiana Penitani

Points to Know: The Sharks have decided to make no changes to their side for this week’s match. However, they could be set to make several late changes to their squad with Filomina Hanisi (ACL), Rhiannon Byers (shoulder) and star captain Tiana Penitani Gray (quad) named on the extended bench as they look to return from injury.

Tigers Team: 1. Caitlin Turnbull 2. Emily Bass 3. Namoe Gesa 4. Shenai Lendill 5. Lily Rogan 6. Faythe Manera 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Salma Nour 10. Shaniece Monschau 11. Kezie Apps 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Holli Wheeler 14. Christian Pio 15. Portia Bourke 16. Harmony Crichton 17. Brooke Talataina 18. Tara Reinke 19. Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua 20. Leah Ollerton 21. Losana Lutu 22. Tyla Amiatu

Points to Know: Wests Tigers coach Craig Sandercock has decided to go with an unchanged line-up for this week’s match. This means rookie back Leah Ollerton and international playmaker Losana Lutu remain on the reserves.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters, Saturday 1:25pm @ Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Dragons Team: 1. Teagan Berry 2. Maria Paseka 3. Shenae Ciesiolka 4. Tyra Ekepati 5. Jayme Millard 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Kasey Reh 8. Amelia Huakau 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 11. Montana Clifford 12. Ella Koster 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Zali Hopkins 15. Lavinia Kitai 16. Ahlivia Ingram 17. Tahlia O’Brien 18. Nita Maynard 19. Charis Toli 20. Tori Shipton 21. Trinity Tauaneai 22. Arabella Mckenzie

Points to Know: In a massive loss for the Dragons, the club has confirmed that Madison Mulhall (ACL) will miss the remainder of the season. “We are so devastated for Madi. She means so much to our team and for her season to come to an end in such sad fashion hurts,” Dragons Director of Female Football Sammy Bremner said. Amelia Huakau will take her spot in the starting front-row while Lavinia Kitai and Ahlivia Ingram have been added to the bench. In other team news, Maria Paseka (hamstring) will make her return with Tahlia O’Brien shifting to the bench and Tyra Ekepati moving to the wing.

Roosters Team: 1. Brydie Parker 2. Taina Naividi 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Jayme Fressard 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Corban Baxter 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Nizza 10. Otesa Pule 11. Sariah Paki 12. Jasmine Strange 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Shawden Burton 15. Aliyah Nasio 16. Rima Butler 17. Amber Hall 18. Mia Wood 19. Tarryn Aiken 20. Nikiah Campbell 21. Talea Tonga 22. Tatum Bird

Points to Know: The Roosters have only made one change for Magic Round with Taina Naividi (ACL) named to return after suffering the injury at training on the eve of last year’s grand final. Her inclusion will see Mia Wood drop out to the reserves. Meanwhile, star playmaker Tarryn Aiken (shoulder) has been named among the reserves as she looks to return from injury.

Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 3:15pm @ Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Raiders Team: 1. Sheridan Gallagher 2. Elise Simpson 3. Leianne Tufuga 4. Isabella Waterman 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Krystal Blackwell 7. Zahara Temara 8. Chloe Saunders 9. Chante Temara 10. Sophie Holyman 11. Hollie Dodd 12. Charlotte Basham 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Emma Barnes 15. Grace Kemp 16. Sereana Naitokatoka 17. Grace Kukutai 18. Lili Boyle 19. Ellie Brander 20. Relna Wuruki-Hosea 21. Madison Bartlett 22. Evie McGrath

Points to Know: The Raiders have made a few changes for Magic Round with star duo BobbiLaw and Jordyn Preston (suspension) unavailable for selection. Isabella Waterman and Hollie-Mae Dodd will take their respective spots in the starting side while Sereana Naitokatoka is the new face on the bench for her first appearance of the season.

Cowboys Team: 1. Francesca Goldthorp 2. Charlize Lloyd-Phillips 3. Abigail Roache 4. Jasmine Peters 5. Margot Vella 6. Tallara Bamblett 7. Rosie Kelly 8. Essay Banu 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. Makenzie Weale 11. Tallisha Harden 12. Lily Dick 13. Bree Chester 14. Alisha Foord 15. Tayla Curtis 16. Ashley Marsters 17. Ebony Raftstrand-Smith 18. Lydia Turua-Quedley 19. Lyrech Mara 20. Hailee-Jay Ormound-Maunsell 21. Sian Williams 22. Kayla Jackson

Points to Know: The Cowboys have received a massive boost for this week with New Zealand international Abigail Roache (knee) returning after a long stint on the sidelines with injury. Roache returns directly into the centre meaning England representative Francesca Goldthorpe move to fullback, Margot Vella goes to the win and Sian Williams reverts to the reserves. In other team news, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (hamstring) has been named for her first appearance of the season.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos, Sunday 11:35am @ Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Bulldogs Team: 1. Andie Robinson 2. Simina Lokotui 3. Daynah Nankivell 4. Monica Tagoai 5. Elizabeth MacGregor 6. Ash Quinlan 7. Tayla Preston 8. Kalosipani Hopoate 9. Mary-Jane Taito 10. Alexis Tauaneai 11. Leilani Wilson 12. Tamika Jones 13. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Evelyn Roberts 15. Giovanna Suani 16. Hope Millard 17. Latisha Smythe 18. Bridget Hoy 19. Paea Uilou 20. Ebony Prior 21. Moana Courtenay 22. Waimarie Martin

Points to Know: Only one change for the Bulldogs this week following their massive win over the Dragons on the weekend. Giovanni Suani has been named to return and will do so on the interchange bench with Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala dropping out of the squad.

Broncos Team: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Georgia Bartlett 3. Deleni Paitai 4. Julia Robinson 5. Caitlin Urwin 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Shannon Mato 9. Jada Ferguson 10. Brianna Clark 11. Lauren Dam 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Bree Spreadborough 14. Rhemy Hinckesman 15. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 16. Tara McGrath-West 17. Reegan Hicks 18. Harlem Walker 19. Linneke Gevers 20. Skyla Adams 21. Tavarna Papalii 22. Amanii Misa

Points to Know: The Brisbane Broncos have been forced into two changes this week with Lillian Yarrow (concussion) and Kerri Johnson (AC join) both unavailable due to injury. Their absence means rookie Deleni Paitai comes into the centres for her second match, while off-season recruit Tara McGrath-West comes on to the bench for her first appearances for the club.

New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans, Sunday 1:25pm @ Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Warriors Team: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Stacey Waaka 3. Tysha Ikenasio 4. Mele Hufanga 5. Payton Takimoana 6. Emmanita Paki 7. Gayle Broughton 8. Maarire Puketapu 9. Patricia Maliepo 10. Metanoia Fetalaiga 11. Christabelle Onesemo 12. Shakira Baker 13. Kaiyah Atai 14. Capri Paekau 15. Harata Butler 16. Annetta Nuuausala 17. Ivana Lauitiiti 18. Ashlee Matapo 19. Natalia Hickling 20. Ocean Tierney 21. Mya Hill-Moana

Points to Know: A massive boost for the Warriors this weekend with 2025 premiership winner Mele Hufanga named to play her first match of the season and the first for the club. Her inclusion means cross-code star Stacey Waaka goes back to the wing and Ocean Tierney will drop to the reserves. Meanwhile, Patricia Maliepo will start in the No.9 jersey in place of Jasmin Huriwai (concussion) and Capri Paekau will enter the side and come off the interchange bench.

Titans Team: 1. Lily Patston 2. Phoenix-Raine Hippi 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Sarina Masaga 5. Indie Bostock 6. Teagan Levi 7. Lauren Brown 8. Laikha Clarke 9. Georgia Hale 10. Fanua Rimoni 11. Evania Isaako 12. Ivana Lolesio 13. Sienna Lofipo 14. Lily-Rose Kolc 15. Eta Sikahele 16. Natasha Penitani 17. Takoda Thompson 18. Enah Desic 19. Aleksandra Tunufai 20. Jasmine Solia 21. Pauline Piliae 22. Lailani Montgomery

Points to Know: The Gold Coast Titans have opted to make no changes for this week’s match.

Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights, Sunday 3:15pm @ Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Eels Team: 1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Fleur Ginn 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Rosemarie Beckett 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Taneka Todhunter 10. Ryvrr-Lee Alo 11. Fontayne Tufuga 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Rueben Cherrington 15. Tess McWilliams 16. Boss Kapua 17. Khyliah Gray 18. Jasmin Morrissey 19. Jayde Herdegen 20. Chloe Jackson 21. Kiana Takairangi 22. Kate Fallon

Points to Know: The Eels have been forced into making a change to their back-line with Rory Owen (concussion) ruled out due to the mandatory stand-down policies. Her exclusion allows PNG international Fleur Ginn to come straight in. Meanwhile, Lindsay Tui is the other centre, with Jasmine Morrisey reverting to the reserves.

Knights Team: 1. Lucy Spain 2. Shanice Parker 3. Sidney Taylor 4. Tenika Willison 5. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Georgia Roche 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Tiana Davison 11. Amelia Pasikala 12. Jules Kirkpatrick 13. Kayla Romaniuk 14. Botille Vette-Welsh 15. Sienna Yeo 16. Grace Giampino 17. Simone Karpani 18. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 19. Nakia Davis-Welsh 20. Fane Finau 21. Joeli Morris 22. Stella Lewis

Points to Know: Only one change for the Knights this weekend, with Amelia Pasikala promoted to start in the back row after a strong match last week. Her promotion means Fane Finau shifts to the reserves, while Simone Karpani has been named to make her return from injury via the interchange bench.