The Canberra Raiders Women are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They compete in the National Rugby League Women's Premiership (NRLW), Australasia's premier rugby league competition for female players. The Raiders were admitted to the NRLW in June 2022 to commence in the 2023 NRL Women's season.[1]
The Raiders' home ground is Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium) in Bruce, Australian Capital Territory. The official symbol for the Canberra Raiders Women is the same as the men’s team, which is the Viking.
| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Canberra Raiders Rugby League Club | ||
| Nickname(s) | The Green Machine | ||
| Colours | Lime Green White Navy | ||
| Founded | 30 March 1981 in Queanbeyan NSW | ||
| Website | raiders.com.au | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) |
| ||
| CEO | Don Furner Jr | ||
| Chairman | Dennis Richardson | ||
| Coach | Darrin Borthwick | ||
| Captain | Simaima Taufa Zahara Temara | ||
| Competition | NRL Women's Premiership | ||
| |||
 Current season | |||
| Records | |||
| Most capped | 18 – 6 players | ||
| Highest try scorer | 15 – Madison Bartlett | ||
| Highest points scorer | 105 – Zahara Temara | ||
Seasons
edit| Season | Regular season | Finals | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | |||
| 2023 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 173 | 206 | 10 | 5th | — | [2] |
| 2024 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 194 | 216 | 6 | 7th | — | [3] |
Head-to-head records
edit| Opponent | First Meeting | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Win % | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sharks |
23 Jul 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 52 | 0.00% | 33.33% |
 Roosters |
29 Jul 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 48 | 50.00% | 47.83% |
 Tigers |
6 Aug 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 34 | 100.00% | 63.83% |
 Dragons |
12 Aug 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 52 | 100.00% | 52.29% |
 Eels |
20 Aug 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 40 | 50.00% | 52.38% |
 Broncos |
27 Aug 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 68 | 0.00% | 30.61% |
 Knights |
2 Sep 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 46 | 0.00% | 41.03% |
 Cowboys |
10 Sep 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 52 | 40 | 50.00% | 56.52% |
 Titans |
17 Sep 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 42 | 50.00% | 34.38% |
| Totals | 23 Jul 2023 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 367 | 422 | 44.44% | 46.51% |
Notes
- Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against.
- Clubs listed in the order than the Raiders Women first played them.
- Last updated: 23 September 2024
Current squad
editThe team is coached by Darrin Borthwick.
Jersey numbers in the table reflect the Raiders' Round 9 Team List.
Table last updated on 22 September 2024 (after their Round 9 game).
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | NRLW Seasons | NRLW Stats | Origin | Tests | All Stars | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | M | T | G | Pts | |||||||
| 1 | Apii Nicholls | 31 | Fullback |  3 |
3 |
— | — | 5 |
 8 |
9 |
28 | 1 | 7 | 18 | — |  14 |
— |
| 2 | Madison Bartlett | 29 | Wing | — | 2 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
9 |
34 | 26 | 0 | 104 | — | 6 |
— |
| 3 | Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 27 | Centre, Wing | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
9 |
18 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | 1 |
— |
| 18 | Relna Wuruki-Hosea | 18 | Centre | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Shakiah Tungai | 27 | Wing, Fullback | 3 |
4 |
1 |
— | 2 |
9 |
7 |
26 | 11 | 6 | 56 |  1 |
 1 |
 3
|
| 6 | Zahara Temara | 27 | Five-eighth, Halfback | 4 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
42 | 5 | 89 | 200 |  8 |
5 |
 1  5
|
| 7 | Ashleigh Quinlan | 29 | Halfback, Centre | — | — | — | — | 6 |
9 |
8 |
23 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | 2 |
2
|
| 8 | Grace Kemp | 23 | Prop, Lock | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
9 |
18 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
— | 1
|
| 9 | Chanté Temara | 23 | Hooker | — | — | 2 |
— | 1 |
9 |
9 |
21 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | 1
|
| 10 | Sophie Holyman | 26 | Prop, Lock | — | — | — | — | 5 |
9 |
9 |
23 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
— | — |
| 11 | Monalisa Soliola | 20 | Second-row, Lock | — | — | — | — | 5 |
8 |
7 |
20 | 5 | 0 | 20 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Hollie-Mae Dodd | 21 | Second-row, Lock | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
8 |
15 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — |  9 |
— |
| 13 | Simaima Taufa | 30 | Lock, Prop | 4 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
39 | 13 | 0 | 52 | 9 |
14 |
2
|
| 14 | Emma Barnes | 20 | Hooker | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
9 |
14 | 3 | 0 | 12 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Jaida Faleono | 18 | Prop | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Amelia Pasikala | 20 | Prop | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
4 |
11 | 3 | 0 | 12 | — | 2 |
— |
| 17 | Felice Quinlan | 26 | Centre | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Tatiana Finau | 20 | Second-row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Mackenzie Wiki | 22 | Centre, Fullback | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
7 |
14 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — |  3 |
— |
| 20 | Georgia Willey | 19 | Wing | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Alanna Dummett | 20 | Wing, Centre | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
2 |
4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Tommaya Kelly-Sines | 29 | Prop | — | — | — | 4 |
— | 7 |
5 |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3
|
| – | Ua Ravu | 27 | Lock | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
— | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |  6 |
— |
| S | Kerehitina Matua | 25 | Second-row, Prop | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
7 |
16 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — | 4 |
3
|
| C | Sereana Naitokatoka | 23 | Halfback, Hooker | — | — | — | 4 |
— | 9 |
6 |
19 | 2 | 0 | 8 | — |  2 |
— |
| DV | Ella Ryan | 22 | Centre | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| DV | Elise Smith | 31 | Second-row | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
— | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
Notes:
- The following players have been signed on a Development contract for 2024:[4]
- Claudia Finau
- Ua Ravu
- Ella Ryan
- Elise Smith
- The following players were signed on a Development contract for last season (2023):
- Alanna Dummett
- Aaliyah Lomas
- Georgia Willey
- Janelle Williams
- Felice Quinlan suffered a season-ending ankle injury prior to the 2023 season.
- Hollie Dodd played for England in the 2021 World Cup and for York Valkyrie in the Women's Super League.
- Cheyelle Robins-Reti has 5 caps (in fifteens) for the Black Ferns (fifteens) and has also played sevens for her country. She played for Matatū in the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
The Canberra Raiders announced player signings in several instalments from December 2023 to 22 May 2024.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Club records
editPlayer records
editLists and tables last updated: 23 September 2024.
Most Games for the Raiders
- 6 players have played in all 18 matches.
Most Tries for the Raiders
- Madison Bartlett — 15, Shakiah Tungai — 8, Simaima Taufa — 6, Cheyelle Robins-Reti — 4, Mackenzie Wiki — 4, Monalisa Soliola — 4.
Most Points for the Raiders (20+)
| Player | 2024 Club | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahara Temara | |
18 | 3 | 46 | 1 | 105 |
| Madison Bartlett | |
18 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 |
| Shakiah Tungai | |
16 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 38 |
| Simaima Taufa | |
17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Most Points in a Season (16+)
| Player | Season | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahara Temara | 2024 | 9 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 58 |
| Zahara Temara | 2023 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 47 |
| Madison Bartlett | 2024 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Madison Bartlett | 2023 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Shakiah Tungai | 2024 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Shakiah Tungai | 2023 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 2023 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Simaima Taufa | 2024 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Margins and streaks
editBiggest winning margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 34—12 | North Queensland Cowboys |
Cbus Super Stadium | 10 Sep 2023 |
Biggest losing margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 8—40 | Brisbane Broncos |
Totally Workwear Stadium | 27 Aug 2023 |
Most consecutive wins
- 4 — (29 July 2023 — 20 August 2023)
Most consecutive losses
- 5 — (3 August 2024 — 2 September 2024)
History
editWomen’s rugby league has been played in Canberra and surrounding districts since the late 1980s. East Canberra and Woden Valley clubs competed in the National Championships between 1990 and 1994, with several of these competitions hosted in the Australian Capital Territory.[11][12][13][14]
The National Championships switched to representative teams in 1997 and Canberra or Australian Capital Territory teams competed in several if not all years until 2003.
Canberra hosted the second-ever women’s rugby league test match in July 1995, against New Zealand.[15]
The following year, Canberra hosted a tour match and the First Test in Great Britain’s tour.[16][17]
The region again hosted the 2002 Great Britain tourists, with a tour match at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan. [18] The Third and deciding Test match of this series was played ahead of a Canberra Raiders match at Bruce Stadium.[19]
After a break of fifteen years, Canberra next hosted a women’s rugby league Test Match in 2017.[20]
In 2018 the Canberra Valkyries was made[21][22]
In November 2021, the Canberra Raiders announced their intent to apply for an NRLW licence.[23][24] In April 2022 the club submitted their application to enter the 2023 NRL Women’s Premiership. In June 2022 the NRL announced that the Raiders were one of four clubs accepted into the NRLW for the 2023 season.[1]
Players
editThe following players have appeared in NRL Women's Premiership matches for the Raiders.
Table last updated: 23 September 2024.
| Order | Player | Raiders | First Appearance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | T | G | FG | Pts | Game | Date | Opponent | ||
| 1 | Apii Nicholls | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 2 | Madison Bartlett | 18 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 3 | Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 4 | Mackenzie Wiki | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 5 | Shakiah Tungai | 16 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 6 | Zahara Temara | 18 | 3 | 46 | 1 | 105 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 7 | Ashleigh Quinlan | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 8 | Tommaya Kelly-Sines | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 9 | Chanté Temara | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 10 | Sophie Holyman | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 11 | Monalisa Soliola | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 12 | Hollie-Mae Dodd | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 13 | Simaima Taufa | 17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 14 | Kerehitina Matua | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 15 | Tara Reinke | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 16 | Grace Kemp | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 17 | Emma Barnes | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Sharks
|
| 18 | Alanna Dummett | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 12 Aug 2023 | Dragons
|
| 19 | Ua Ravu | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 Aug 2023 | Dragons
|
| 20 | Elise Smith | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 Aug 2023 | Eels
|
| 21 | Ahlivia Ingram | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 Aug 2023 | Eels
|
| 22 | Jessica Gentle | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 27 Aug 2023 | Broncos
|
| 23 | Petesa Lio | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 27 Aug 2023 | Broncos
|
| 24 | Ella Ryan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 27 Aug 2023 | Broncos
|
| 25 | Sereana Naitokatoka | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 28 Jul 2024 | Wests Tigers
|
| 26 | Felice Quinlan | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 24 Aug 2024 | Cowboys
|
| 27 | Relna Wuruki-Hosea | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 24 Aug 2024 | Cowboys
|
| 28 | Amelia Pasikala | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 1 Sep 2024 | Roosters
|
| 29 | Georgia Willey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 Sep 2024 | Roosters
|
| 30 | Jaida Faleono | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 7 Sep 2024 | Dragons
|
Feeder team seasons
editThe Canberra Raiders run a women's team in the Tarsha Gale Cup and have an arrangement with Mount Pritchard Mounties for the NSWRL Women's Premiership.
Tarsha Gale Cup
editFor Under 18 players from 2018 to 2020. Since 2021, the Cup is for Under 19 players.
| Season | Regular Season | Finals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | |
| 2018 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 154 | 440 | 4 | 10th | 8 | — |
| 2019 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 106 | 276 | 3 | 9th | 8 | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 118 | 96 | 6 | 5th | 8 | — |
| 2021 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 128 | 168 | 7 | 7th | 6 | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 102 | 218 | 6 | 10th | 6 | — |
| 2023 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 158 | 176 | 11 | 6th | 6 | Elimination Finalist |
| 2024 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 182 | 134 | 10 | 7th | 6 | — |
NSWRL Women's Premiership
edit| Season | Regular Season | Finals | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | ||
| 2023 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 254 | 142 | 14 | 4th | 6 | Premiers | [25][26] |
| 2024 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 185 | 204 | 15 | 3rd | 4 | Semi-Finalist | [27] |
Members of Mounties' 2023 premiership-winning team that subsequently were included in the Raider's extended NRLW squad were: Alanna Dummett, Tommaya Kelly-Sines, Petesa Lio, Aaliyah Lomas, Kerehitina Matua, Mackenzie Wiki, Janelle Williams, and captain Simaima Taufa.[25]
References
edit- ^ a b "NRLW Announcement". NRL. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Twemlow, Leo (17 September 2023). "Titans end finals dream for Raiders with clinical win". NRL. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Rosser, Corey (22 September 2024). "Temara brings up double century as Raiders hold out Titans". NRL. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "Raiders announce 2024 NRLW development players". Raiders.com.au. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Grace Kemp to remain a Raider in 2024". Raiders.com.au. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Robins-Reti and Barnes extend for next two NRLW seasons". Raiders.com.au. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "NRLW trio re-sign for 2024 season". Raiders.com.au. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Dummett and Willey return to NRLW squad for 2024 season". Raiders.com.au. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Raiders sign international duo". Raiders.com.au. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Raiders complete Top 24 NRLW squad". Raiders.com.au. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "Rugby League Times". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 12 July 1991. p. 28. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "ACT scores league title". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 14 October 1992. p. 42. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Kirkman, Janette (26 July 1993). "Easts score 202, concede none, at club titles". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Kirkman, Janette (13 June 1994). "Picton trounce Bulli to take women's rugby league title". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 24. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Scholes, Gary (9 July 1995). "NZ men's defeat motivates women". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. p. 12. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "1996 Aust vs GB Womens [sic] RL Test Match". YouTube. Jenny Luker. 31 October 2019 [1996]. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Hardy, Karen (22 July 1996). "Brits pay ultimate penalty". Canberra Times. p. 25.
- ^ "Lionesses roar against totally outclassed ACT". Canberra Times. 25 July 2002. p. 20.
- ^ deKroo, Karl (28 July 2002). "Australian women win in tight Test". Canberra Times. Canberra: Fairfax.
- ^ "ANZAC Test 2017: Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos". YouTube. NZ Rugby League. 22 January 2018 [2017]. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Raiders Unveil Valkyrie Brand". 8 February 2018.
- ^ "Meet Canberra Raiders new mascot Velda the Valkyrie". 26 March 2018.
- ^ Walter, Brad (29 November 2021). "On the Boyle: Raiders aim big as NRLW bid is launched". NRL. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Raiders aim for 2023 NRLW inclusion". Raiders.com.au. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership - Grand Final". NSWRL. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Margie (29 April 2023). "Mounties win epic decider with historic scoreline". NSWRL. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Margie (21 September 2024). "Steelers and Knights to meet in decider". NSWRL. Retrieved 22 September 2024.