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FWC: FRA v ENG from 8am SundayWahine Warriors run riot, Dogs breakthrough and Roosters rally
Maria Recouvreur, AAP • July 18th, 2026 10:09 pm
Jay Huriwai | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The Bulldogs have kick-started their NRLW season with a hard-fought 24-18 victory over Cronulla, the Roosters remained unbeaten and the Warriors handed North Queensland another heavy defeat in Saturday's Round 3 action.
Canterbury and the Sharks entered their clash at Accor Stadium desperate for their first points of 2026 after losing their opening two matches.
The Bulldogs had managed just four tries across those defeats but looked a transformed side as they raced to a 14-0 lead after 17 minutes.
Winger Simina Lokotui scored a hat-trick in the win, her first a 60-metre intercept try which gave the Bulldogs an important momentum swing.
Sharks player Jaydika Tafua scored with a minute left on the clock to take the score to 24-18, but the Bulldogs held on to climb just outside the top eight.
Sydney Rosters coach John Strange sweated through his 50th game at the helm of the NRLW team as his players fought back from a deficit against the Raiders in Canberra.
Tarryn Aiken was in sizzling form for the Roosters in their NRLW win | Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
The Green Machine have started the season in fine form and led the Roosters 14-4 before the competition favourites were able to launch a second-half comeback to keep their spot on the top of the ladder with a 22-18 victory.
Roosters winger Jayme Fressard scored a double in the match, including the match-winner. Her halfback Tarryn Aiken was instrumental in the comeback, scoring the try to bring the teams level in the 50th minute and ending the game with two line-breaks, a line-break assist and a try assist.
Rooster Corban Baxter was put on report for a high shot in the 40th minute, while Raiders second-rower Charlotte Basham was forced off the field with a leg injury.
Lavinia Tauhalaliku | Photo: Joshua Devenie/Photosport
In New Zealand, the Cowboys continued their wretched start to the season, falling to the Warriors 42-4.
Warriors winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku scored four tries in the rout, her left edge combination with Stacey Waaka causing massive problems for the Cowboys' defence.
Their own poor handling was the biggest problem for Ricky Henry's Cowboys.
They only completed 15 sets in possession, making 14 errors while missing 39 tackles. The loss anchors them to the bottom of the ladder early in the season with a points difference of minus 96.
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Jay Huriwai on the transition from rugby to NRLW | The Six Again Podcast
