{"id":486641,"date":"2026-06-20T06:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T06:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/486641\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T06:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T06:32:11","slug":"nrl2026-nrlw-pre-season-trials-all-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/486641\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL2026: NRLW pre-season trials: All you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

NRLW clubs will take centre stage in pre-season trials this weekend, with teams using the matches to test combinations and unveil new talent.<\/p>\n

Newly appointed Broncos skipper, Tamika Upton, is eager to see her side\u2019s preparation transfer on to the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re at the back end of the pre-season now, and everyone’s grateful for that after all the hard work, but we’ve got a few more weeks to refine things,\u201d Upton said.<\/p>\n

The Broncos will travel to Christchurch to face the Warriors, coming up against several familiar faces. Among them are former teammates Gayle Broughton and Mele Hufanga, who were key players in last year’s premiership win.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’ll be interesting seeing them on the other side,\u201d Upton said. \u201cWe’ve got a few girls putting on the jersey for the first time, which is always special.”<\/p>\n


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Southwell all class<\/p>\n

A plethora of new signings and emerging talent are set to feature across the weekend, including rugby sevens converts Teagan Levi (Titans), Sidney Taylor (Knights) and Madi Ashby (Sharks).<\/p>\n

Among the big names to have switched clubs are Jillaroos halback Jesse Southwell (Broncos) and forward Keilee Joseph (Eels), former NSW playmaker Kirra Dibb (Knights) and young gun fullback Montaya Hudson (Dragons).<\/p>\n

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs<\/p>\n

Friday June 19, 6:15 pm at Eric Tweedle Stadium\u00a0<\/p>\n


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2026 NRLW Trial: Eels v Bulldogs<\/p>\n

Eels: Coach Steve Georgallis will look to assess a mix of experienced and new recruits, headlined by premiership-winning Jillaroos forward Keilee Joseph and Layne Morgan, who has joined the NRLW from the Queensland Reds. Tarsha Gale graduates Tia Matthews and Aaliyah Soufan will make their club debuts, running out alongside senior players such as skipper Mahalia Murphy and vice-captain Abbi Church. Eels team list.<\/a><\/p>\n


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Bulldogs: Key signings Tamika Jones and Daynah Nankivell will have their first taste of NRLW after making the switch from rugby union. Co-captain Tayla Preston, who has re-committed to the club until the end of the 2028 season, heads a core of experienced players. Coach Brayden Wiliame will use the trial to assess talent from the club’s strong junior pathways in his new 24-player extended squad. Bulldogs team list<\/a><\/p>\n

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights<\/p>\n

Saturday June 20; 11:30am, Belconnen Stadium<\/p>\n


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2026 NRLW Trial: Raiders v Knights<\/p>\n

Raiders: Coach Darren Borthwick is set to rotate his full squad in the club’s first pre-season trial since joining the NRL. Dally M Team of the Year winger Sheridan Gallagher (Knights), centre Bobbi Law (Dragons) and fullback Krystal Blackwell (Cowboys) headline a fresh list of inclusions. Other new faces include Ellie Brander,\u00a0Grace Kukutai, Charlotte Basham and Evie McGrath.<\/p>\n


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Time for NRLW action<\/p>\n

Knights: The match will give coach Ben Jeffries an opportunity to test new spine combinations. Six new signings will make their club debuts, including halfback Kira Dibb, centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti and forwards Amelia Pasikala and Nakia Davis-Welsh. Sidney Taylor and fellow cross-code convert Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa will play their first NRLW matches. Jefferies has placed a strong focus on team connection, including a camp on Worimi Country, to prepare the Knights for the NRLW season.<\/p>\n

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans<\/p>\n

Saturday, June 20; 12:30pm; Jack Manski Oval, Townsville<\/p>\n


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2026 NRLW Trial: Cowboys v Titans<\/p>\n

Cowboys: Cook Islands international Lydia Turua-Quedley will play in the halves as coach Ricky Henry looks to replace the departed Kirra Dibb, who has signed with the Knights. Henry will include his State of Orgin players in the trial to add experience to the side, including captain Emma Manzlemann. Fullback Charlize Lloyd-Phillips and winger\u00a0Kayla Jackson are set to make their club debuts.<\/p>\n

Titans:\u00a0 Coach Karyn Murphy will test out her new spine, with rugby sevens convert Teagan Levi to make her club debut alongside Jillaroos and Maroons star Lauren Brown in the halves. Dragons recruit Indie Bostock will line-up on the wing, alongside the return of Evania Isa’ako – playing her first game back after the birth of her daughter last year. Maroons outside back Ivana Lolesio has been shifted to the back-row alongside fellow centre Sarina Masaga. Samoa fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati, who made her Origin debut for Queensland in the recently completed series, will also feature as the Titans seek to retain the Brittany Breayley-Nati-Jenni-Sue Hoepper Shield.<\/p>\n

Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks<\/p>\n

Saturday June 20; 6:30pm, Leichhardt Oval<\/p>\n

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2026 NRLW Trial: Roosters v Sharks<\/p>\n

Roosters: Fresh from leading NSW to an historic Women’s State of Origin cleansweep, coach John Strange has now set his sights on helping last year’s unbeaten minor premiers begin their campaign for grand final glory. Jillaroos playmaker and 2024 IRL Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken is sidelined by an ACL injury suffered late last year, but Strange otherwise has a largely unchanged squad, with Australian sevens recruit Sariah Paki returning to league and NSW Waratahs playmaker Tatum Bird joining former Knights winger Keighley Simpson as other new faces. Paki will start in the secondrow.<\/p>\n

The Roosters squad boasts an impressive mix of experience and representative talent, headlined by Origin stars Millie Elliott, Jessica Sergis and Otesa Pule.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Sharks: After a disappointing finish last year, the Sharks have bolstered their forward pack with the additions of China Polata, and Naviada George. The club\u2019s latest signing, Madison Ashby, Australian rugby sevens co-captain, returns to the Sharks after playing in the 2018 Tarsha Gale Cup team. Skipper Tiana Penitani-Grey is out until Round 3\u00a0 , and Origin representatives Quincy Dodd and Ellie Johnston.<\/p>\n

Warriors v Brisbane Broncos<\/p>\n

Sunday June 21; 11 am (9 am AEST), One NZ Stadium<\/p>\n

Warriors: Star signings Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga and Annetta Nuuausala will face off against their ex-teammates from the Broncos and coach Ron Griffiths is confident his new recruits will elevate the developing Warriors squad. Kiwi rugby sevens legend Stacey Waaka is also set to play her first game for the Warriors after a stint at the Broncos in 2024. Griffiths believes Waaka\u2019s influence will extend beyond the field and act as a senior, experienced mentor for his developing squad. Kiwi Ferns forward Mya Hill-Moana returns after maternity leave.<\/p>\n

Broncos: Star recruit Jesse Southwell will partner Ali Brigginshaw in the halves, while fellow signings including Caitlin Urwin and Lillian Yarrow have been included in the starting line-up.\u00a0State of Origin representatives Brianna Clark, Jada Ferguson, Romy Teitzel and Chelsea Lenarduzzi have been named. The match will be the return for lock Bree Spreadborough, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Round 5 last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers<\/p>\n

Sunday June 20; 2:45pm, St George Venues Jubilee Stadium<\/p>\n

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2026 NRLW Trial: Dragons v Wests Tigers<\/p>\n

Dragons: Coach Nathan Cross will use the trial to assess his new-look squad. Kiwi Ferns lock Brooke Anderson and Queensland Origin centre Shanae Ciesiolka will add experience. Cook Islands prop Lavinia Kitai, secondrower Montana Clifford and 20-year-old fullback Montaya Hudson are set to make their club debuts.<\/p>\n

Wests Tigers: All eyes will be on Raecene McGregor as she faces her former club. The 2022 IRL Golden Boot winner comes into the Tigers squad will provide the team with play-making excellence and leadership, alongside captain Kezie Apps and Jillaroos forwards Sarah Togatuki and Holli Wheeler. Fiji playmaker Losana Lutu is set to return after just four appearances last season. New coach Craig Sandercock will also welcome back Rikeya Horne from maternity leave after the birth of twins and Brooke Talatania, who returns from injury.<\/p>\n

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