Latest news with #AliBrigginshaw
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos celebrate Brigginshaw's 50th with big win
Three Brisbane players have scored doubles in a thumping 38-4 win over Parramatta to help teammate Ali Brigginshaw enjoy a champagne celebration for becoming the first NRLW player to register 50 games. Julia Robinson, Mele Hufanga and Romy Teitzel all scored twice as the league-leading Broncos put down eight unanswered tries to finish off the Eels. Elsewhere on Saturday, Cronulla pushed their way into the top four with a 12-8 win over Gold Coast and in a drama-filled 20-16 win by Canberra against the Warriors in Hamilton, two players were sent off. The hosts played 46 minutes with 11 players after Matekino Gray was marched for a lifting tackle and Tysha Ikenasio followed her three minutes later for a hip-drop, becoming the second and third players to be sent off in 2025. Brigginshaw, the third most-capped Jillaroo with 26 Tests, is now the most experienced NRLW player but will be joined by Sydney Roosters pair Keeley Davis and Isabelle Kelly on 50 when they face Newcastle in Gosford on Sunday. Watch all the highlights from Broncos v Eels in Round 7 of the NRLW Premiership. — NRLW (@NRLWomens) August 16, 2025 "It's actually been a huge week. I'm so thankful for all the support across the game – been absolutely phenomenal," Brigginshaw said. "I'm just really proud that we didn't fall away as we've done in previous weeks. But today we've proved to ourselves that's not us." A milestone of a different kind came at Sharks Stadium when prop Caitlan Johnston-Green came off the bench in the 26th minute, just 12 weeks after giving birth to daughter Amarah. However as Cronulla gained a key player, they lost another when Kiwi international centre Annessa Biddle (shoulder) was helped from the field. "We'll have to send her for scans to see where she's at. But I don't think it will be short-term if I'm honest with you, so we're not having a lot of luck," coach Tony Herman said. Scores were locked at 0-0 at the break, but the Sharks went down to 12 with Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu sin-binned for a hip-drop tackle. It allowed Titans halfback Lauren Brown to find the gap on the left edge and score. But two tries – to Emma Verran and Cassie Staples – in three minutes put the Sharks in front for the first time in the 50th minute. The sides traded penalty goals and another confirmed a 12-8 Cronulla win. "It just speaks volumes of the resilience in this squad," Sharks captain Tiana Penitani Gray said. "It's not been easy with injuries and suspensions throughout the year but it's next person up. On the back of adversity comes opportunity." The Raiders' first win off the season, after six straight defeats, was overshadowed by a courageous Warriors fightback and two players back in the sheds. Winger Payton Takimoana bagged a hat-trick, almost getting the visitors home after trailing 16-0.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
How trailblazer's sacrifices paved the way for NRLW phenom to emerge
As Ali Brigginshaw's historic milestone ensured her name will remain etched in NRLW folklore, the enormity of her early career sacrifices had truly been announced. From her junior days spent unable to feature in a team after an under-12s carnival spent taking on Daly Cherry-Evans, she now witnesses thousands of young girls across Queensland strapping on the boots. 'She has inspired the younger generation, there was a time when someone like Ali didn't have any girls to look up to, but now there are so many pathways – particularly out at Ipswich where she's living,' star Broncos fullback Tamika Upton said of Brigginshaw. 'What she's done for the game is incredible, she definitely paved the way, and she's still going.' But it is the ascent of the competition's next generation who first experienced the building grassroots pathways that has perhaps highlighted the strides made by rugby league's trailblazers so glaringly obvious. Loading As Brigginshaw became the NRLW's first player to hit the 50 game milestone in the Broncos' 38-4 thumping of Parramatta, teenage phenom Shalom Sauaso was starring in her maiden starting appearance. Finishing with 130 running metres and six tackle busts from 11 carries, along with 22 ferocious tackles for no misses, the fellow Ipswich product cemented her reputation as one of Australian sport's most promising talents, having also dominated in rugby union for the Queensland Reds. On the back of the 18-year-old's work through the middle at lock, Brisbane's backline clicked into gear – centres Julia Robinson and Mele Huganga scoring doubles, with the former registering 281 running metres.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
How trailblazer's sacrifices paved the way for NRLW phenom to emerge
As Ali Brigginshaw's historic milestone ensured her name will remain etched in NRLW folklore, the enormity of her early career sacrifices had truly been announced. From her junior days spent unable to feature in a team after an under-12s carnival spent taking on Daly Cherry-Evans, she now witnesses thousands of young girls across Queensland strapping on the boots. 'She has inspired the younger generation, there was a time when someone like Ali didn't have any girls to look up to, but now there are so many pathways – particularly out at Ipswich where she's living,' star Broncos fullback Tamika Upton said of Brigginshaw. 'What she's done for the game is incredible, she definitely paved the way, and she's still going.' But it is the ascent of the competition's next generation who first experienced the building grassroots pathways that has perhaps highlighted the strides made by rugby league's trailblazers so glaringly obvious. Loading As Brigginshaw became the NRLW's first player to hit the 50 game milestone in the Broncos' 38-4 thumping of Parramatta, teenage phenom Shalom Sauaso was starring in her maiden starting appearance. Finishing with 130 running metres and six tackle busts from 11 carries, along with 22 ferocious tackles for no misses, the fellow Ipswich product cemented her reputation as one of Australian sport's most promising talents, having also dominated in rugby union for the Queensland Reds. On the back of the 18-year-old's work through the middle at lock, Brisbane's backline clicked into gear – centres Julia Robinson and Mele Huganga scoring doubles, with the former registering 281 running metres.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How footy legend Gorden Tallis helped the growth of women's professional rugby league in Australia
NRLW star Ali Brigginshaw has revealed how footy legend Gorden Tallis helped accelerate the growth of women's professional rugby league in Australia. Speaking ahead of her 50th appearance for the Broncos this weekend, the veteran acknowledged how far the sport has come on local shores. 'Before my first Jillaroos game in 2009 against New Zealand we had street lights lighting up the field,' she recalled. 'And then ahead of the 2013 World Cup we also didn't have the Coat of Arms on our jerseys because we weren't recognised as an Australian team.' Then prompted a bemused Tallis to step in. 'He came in to present our jerseys and said: 'what the f*ck is this sh*t',' Brigginshaw told News Corp. 'He took our jerseys and said he'd come back when they had the Coat of Arms on them. And he did.' To be a prominent player in the Australian sporting landscape, the NRLW are focused on the end game. The competition has increased to 12 teams, and games are screened on Fox Sports. And as the female stars often point out, they are not in direct competition with the NRL - and never will be. It is a slow burn, with the majority of players still juggling work with their modest salaries. Previously it was reported the minimum NRLW wage last year was just $34,000 - but it will increase to $50,600 in 2027. But given only four teams entered the inaugural NRLW competition in 2018, the growth has been impressive. And if the NRLW patiently follow the lead of the Matildas - who are arguably the nation's favourite sporting team - anything is possible. 'We know what's at stake,' said Parramatta Eels prop Kennedy Cherrington when quizzed on where the NRLW currently sits. 'We've worked so hard to be here. We see the fans who rock up and how they idolise us – that responsibility on our shoulders is something we regard highly.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRLW opening wins for Broncos, Dragons and Cowboys
Brisbane, St George Illawarra and North Queensland have opened their NRLW campaigns in the best possible style. Tamika Upton's return to the Broncos brought immediate benefits as she helped the three-time champions to a 28-4 win over Wests Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday. The 28-year-old was back in Brisbane colours after three years with Newcastle and reaffirmed why she won the 2023 Dally M Medal with three try assists, four line-break assists, and six tackle busts in her afternoon's work. "She's just an X-factor. Tamika always goes about her football so professionally," Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw said. "Today she started to really find her groove." Watch all the highlights from Broncos v Tigers in Round 1 of the NRLW Premiership. — NRLW (@NRLWomens) July 5, 2025 The visitors were in the fight at halftime trailing 8-4, but Brisbane went from a trot into a gallop piling on four unanswered tries. "A little bit nerve wrecking and frustrating in that first half. We had a lot of footy but just didn't do too much with it," Broncos coach Scott Prince said. "But in the second half the girls came out with real intent to turn the Tigers around and put them in their corner." Fittingly it was two NRLW debutants that scored their team's first points. Rugby recruit Kerri Johnson touched down in the 21st minute after a 35-metre break upfield by Upton. Wests Tigers Caitlin Turnbull, who scored 13 tries in 11 games for Wentworthville in NSWRL's Harvey Norman Premiership last year, grabbed her maiden NRLW try. Brisbane snapped their round-one blues after losing the opening match of the past three seasons. The league's top-two tryscorers added to their individual tallies, when St George Illawarra overran Canberra at GIO Stadium. Dragons fullback Teagan Berry registered her 30th four-pointer and Raiders winger Madison Bartlett scored her 27th in the Red V's 36-14 win. 18-year-old debutant Indie Bostock took just three minutes to score a runaway 80-metre try for the Dragons after being called up into the centres from the extended bench. The star of the NSW U19s State of Origin win last month, and the sister of Dolphins winger Jack, added a second by supporting Berry down the right after the break. That put the visitors up 18-4 but the Raiders' revival came through tries to Bartlett and Sophie Holyman. St George Illawarra responded with another three tries – Berry, halfback and captain Raecene McGregor and winger Margot Vella. The Dragons only won two of nine games last year but rookie coach Nathan Cross seems to have them on course for a few more in 2025. In Townsville, North Queensland enjoyed a 20-6 win over Gold Coast. Watch all the highlights from Cowboys v Titans in Round 1 of the NRLW Premiership. — NRLW (@NRLWomens) July 5, 2025 Ricky Henry's Cowboys produced nine line breaks to two and 29 tackle-busts to 17 as they rattled off a four tries-to-one victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. They were three minutes from recording their first whitewash in their short three-year history, but a consolation try to Titans centre Georgia Gray put an end to that. England international Fran Goldthorp got the party started in the 19th minute, with winger Krystal Blackwell and fullback Jakiya Whitfield also scoring for a 14-0 lead at the break. Emma Manzelmann bagged the Cowboys' fourth and final try with a darting 20-metre run.
