The first ever Cronulla Sharks Women's Rugby League team will run out this Saturday when they take on local rivals, the St George-Illawarra Dragons at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
In what will be an historic match across the National Rugby League, the game will be played Nines format between the conclusion of Saturday’s NYC match and the beginning of the NRL warm-up.
Cronulla Sharks Head of Womens Football Jason Stanton says he's excited by the clash and that his own side can't wait to take to the field in the first of it's kind.
"The squad is very excited to play the first NRL women's game," Stanton said.
" The Dragons are a great opponent and we look forward to commencing the rivalry with the first local derby.
"The talent in women's rugby league is exceptional and we need all fans to support the team in this historic game."
The match will see some major match-ups across the park with plenty of stars from the current Jillaroos sides to be on show.
Sharks captain Ruan Sims, captain of the Jillaroos and NSW teams, will lead out her side which will be jam packed with international talent.
Fellow Jillaroos players Allanah Ferguson and Maddie Studdon will lead the side around the paddock in the halves and call the shots like they most recently did in the NSW victory over their Queenslad rivals on July 23 earlier this year.
Local player Sam Bremnar will slot into the fullback role as she has done at state and international level and fulfil a childhood dream by running out onto Southern Cross Group Stadium in Sharks colours.
International centre Corban McGregor will play in the no. 3 jersey and add an element of class into the Sharks attacking ranks.
The clash between Sims and current Jillaroo and NSW back-rower Kezie Apps of the Dragons side will be one of the most highly-anticpated match ups of the day and will be sure to add to the physicality of the match.
In the lead-up to the clash, the Sharks side has been coached to play an expansive style of play to not only develop their abilities as players however also develop a winning culture within the group.
The Sharks head coach Jason Stanton has worked closely with the women’s team on increasing their passing range and overall skills including brining in specialist kicking coaches to take his side’s kicking game to the next level.
In an added element of spice to the highly-anticipated clash, many of the Cronulla women will be playing both semi-finals and finals earlier on Saturday.
However, with Resilience as one of their key team words, there will be no excuses when they take to the field against their local-rivals.
With kick-off scheduled for 6:30pm, Sharks Members and fans are urged to get to Southern Cross Group Stadium early and enjoy all the excitement of the match.
Cronulla Sharks Women’s side
13. Ruan Sims (Captain)
1. Samantha Bremner (Vice Captain)
2. Lisa Tauariki
3. Corban McGregor
4. Kate Mullaly
5. Tegan Chandler
6. Allana Ferguson
7. Maddison Studdon
8. Jade Etherden
9. Kaarla Cowen
10. Mel Sexton
11. Ruby Ewe
12. Tanika O’Brien
14. Mia Wood
15 (Player to be named)
St George-Illawarra Dragons side
1 Alicia-Kate Hawke (Corrimal)
4. Rikeya Horne (Corrimal)
5. Talia Atfield (Bomaderry)
7. Mikala Malaki (Berkeley)
9. Tammy Fletcher (Corrimal)
12. Kezie Apps (Helensburgh)
14.Bernadette Asiata (Berkeley)
19. Ashley Swan-Hayles (Berkeley)
21. Erin Blackwell (Helensburgh)
Interchange
2 Maddison Perceval (Helensburgh)
3 Rebecca Dunning (Windang)
11. Jewelle Jack (Berkeley)
17. Chantelle Thomas (Windang)
18. Jessica Little (Bomaderry)
20. Jasmine Sarin (Helensburgh)
