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FWC: BRA vs NOR from 7am, SN ExtraNew-era Tigers too hot for Eels, Warriors belt Bulldogs
Sebastian Tan, AAP • July 5th, 2026 6:50 pm
The ruthless Wahine Warriors proved far too strong for the Bulldogs in Hamilton | Photo: Dj Mills/AAP
The new-look Wests Tigers have begun their NRLW rebuild in impressive style, defeating a spirited Parramatta 28-16 at Commbank Stadium.
After finishing wooden spooners for a second straight year last season, the Tigers overhauled their squad after coach Craig Sandercock took over the reins.
His mentoring has transformed the side, with Wests running in five tries to three on Sunday while scoring their second-highest number of points since joining the league in 2023.
Halfback Raecene McGregor was busy in her first game since leaving St George Illawarra for Wests | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The Tigers only won one match last season, but recruit Raecene McGregor was instrumental in helping her side match last year's tally, registering three try assists and two line-break assists.
Parramatta's flurry of first-half errors plagued their chances of getting into the contest, as the Tigers took a commanding 22-0 lead into halftime.
The Eels threatened a boilover as Queensland representative Rory Owens grabbed two of the home team's three tries in the second period, but Wests held on for victory.
Elsewhere on Sunday, the Wahine Warriors lived up to their pre-season hype, overwhelming Canterbury 32-10 in a ruthless performance at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
Former Broncos player Gayle Broughton crosses over for a try in the Warriors' win over Canterbury | Photo: Dj Mills/AAP
After bringing in a raft of new players in the off-season, expectations were high that the Wahs would improve on their eighth-placed finish from last year's campaign.
The Auckland-based club had a horror start on Sunday when prop Mya Hill-Moana was sent to the sin bin after a hip-drop tackle on Tayla Preston, but the home team shook off the loss as former Brisbane player Gayle Broughton scurried across the line.
Centre Emmanita Paki extended the home team's lead to 10-0 at the break, before New Zealand crashed over four consecutive times to open the second half.
It took an hour for the Bulldogs to break through the Warriors' rigid defence when prop Alexis Tauaneai stormed over.
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The Warriors thought they had the last laugh when winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku planted the ball down, but Canterbury found centre Monica Tagoai in the left corner in the last play of the game.
They will hope that injuries to interchange Laishon Albert-Jones and winger Payton Takimoana (shoulder) aren't serious after both left the field early.
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