They may not lack inspiration but Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson will provide it anyway for Brisbane in Saturday’s NRLW grand final re-match against Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park.
The defending champion Broncos picked up where they left in last week’s season opener, extending their remarkable unbeaten record with a 14-4 victory over title favourites St George Illawarra.
And Broncos coach Kelvin Wright said Robinson’s return from a horror leg injury had provided an extra shot in the arm.
After tearing up the inaugural 2018 NRLW season in which Brisbane went through unbeaten, Robinson looked like missing this year’s campaign entirely with injury.
Robinson not only broke her leg in two places in what appeared to be a routine hit up in a club match in May, the on-field accident also physically shifted her ankle joints.
Yet she has defied the odds to book her spot in the second round clash in which the Roosters will be out to avenge their 34-12 grand final thumping from Brisbane.
“It is fantastic to welcome her back,” Broncos coach Kelvin Wright told AAP.
“She is a strong, powerful player. She is a current Jillaroos winger – we expect her to pick up where she left off last year.”
Robinson said she was inspired to return for their title defence after Broncos kept the faith and re-signed her for the 2019 season while completing her recovery.
“I thought there was no chance a club would take me (for 2019),” Robinson told the Broncos’ website.
Wright said Brisbane would be looking to extend their NRLW dominance in their grudge match against the Roosters who are reeling from their surprise 16-12 first round loss to the Warriors.
“I thought defensively we were strong against the Dragons. It was a promising start but hopefully things can only get better from here,” Wright said.
Meanwhile, the Dragons are reeling ahead of the first stand alone NRLW match – Sunday’s clash with the Warriors in Auckland – after enforcer Teuila Fotu-Moala was banned for the season over a crusher tackle.
Fotu-Moala became the first NRLW player not only to face the judiciary but cop a suspension.
Her three week ban has prompted the Dragons to call for NRLW judiciary changes.
Manly NRL great Geoff Toovey believed the Dragons should be worried before Sunday’s clash after Warriors playmaker Charntay Poko’s inspired display against the Roosters last week.
“Her kicking game beats the men’s. Her skill base is just exceptional,” he told NRL website.