The St George Illawarra Dragons will meet the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday, September 2nd at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville in Round 7 of the 2023 NRLW season. This is your game day guide.
- Dragons announce NRLW Round 7 team list
- ‘Hopefully keep ticking goals’: Berry ready to push on following historic display
A maiden trip to Townsville
The Dragons NRLW squad will be making a historic first trip to Townsville for their Saturday afternoon clash against newcomers North Queensland.
The side will be also looking for their first ever win north of the border when they face a Cowboys squad who have won just one of their past four.
The Cowboys have been defeated in their only two appearances in Townsville this season.
Key Timings:
When: 3.10pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Watch: Nine, 9Now, Kayo & Foxtel
Forced change for Dragons
The Dragons will be without Keele Browne (ankle) with Shenai Lendill pushing into the centres and Cortez Te Pou earning a spot on the wing.
Sarah Riordan is also out with Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa named up front and Macie Carlile coming onto the interchange.
Renee Targett replaces Sophie Clancy at hooker.
Cowboys without Surha
A shoulder injury has ruled Libby Surha out with Tiana Raftstrand-Smith shifting onto the edge.
China Polata moves to lock, Makenzie Weale starts at prop, and Sera Koroi coming onto the interchange.
Berry’s stunning six weeks
Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has put together a phenomenal run of form to start the new season and currently leads the premiership in tries scored with nine.
The 21-year-old also leads the NRLW in total runs and run metres and is fourth in tackle breaks.
The leading try-scorer in premiership history, Berry also became just the third player in club history to reach 20 NRLW appearances in her four-try outing versus the Titans in Round 6.
Having made the switch from the wing to fullback this season, Berry has run for 200-plus metres in five of her six games and has scored multiple tries on three separate occasions.
Tauaneai stepping up
Dragons rookie Alexis Tauaneai has gone from strength to strength in her first year with the club having established herself as a key part of the side's pack.
The 18-year-old is averaging 159 run metres per game to go along with 200 total tackles at 95.7 per cent efficiency through six games.
Having played 65-plus minutes in her past four outings, Tauaneai has developed into a big-minute player and an invaluable member of Jamie Soward's squad.
