It’s Round 2 of the NRLW Season for 2026. The women’s game is booming year on year, and the fans are out in droves to prove it.

The NRLW is rugby league at its rawest and most entertaining, with storylines, stars and drama both on and off the field, we frankly can’t get enough of it.

Round 1 gave us a clear read on who's building something and who's got work to do. The Broncos and their star recruit Jesse Southwell served a timely reminder of why they're the benchmark, the Knights and Warriors flexed their depth, while the Raiders and Wests Tigers snuck home in tighter fashion.

Round 2 throws up six fresh tests, headlined by a genuine title-contender clash between the Roosters and Knights.

Here's the full breakdown, with betting tips and predictions for every NRLW match of Round 2.

NRLW Tips and Predictions - Round 2

Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos

Thursday, July 9 - 3:15pm AEST, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney

The Sharks open Round 2 looking to bounce back after a tough 4–18 defeat to the Knights in Round 1, a result that exposed some real gaps in their attacking edge.

The Broncos, on the other hand, were utterly dominant, thumping the Cowboys 50–4 to announce themselves as the team to beat yet again in 2026.

Cronulla will need a monumental turnaround to trouble a Brisbane side that looked untouchable in Round 1.

Sharks skipper Tiana Penitani Gray missed the opening round with a knee injury and will be a possibility of coming back this week, Sharks will need her to have any hope of outscoring this stacked Broncos team.

Jesse Southwell now steers a star-studded Brisbane spine with Ali Brigginshaw partnering her in the halves and new captain Tamika Upton at fullback.

Julia Robinson's finishing ability out wide is the type of X-factor that turns tight games into blowouts.

Broncs will be too much here.

Betting tip: Brisbane Broncos 13+ points.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers

Saturday, July 11 - 8:15am AEST, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

The Cowboys have plenty to fix after that 50–4 hiding at the hands of the Broncos and a home fixture in Townsville couldn't come at a better time to reset.

Wests Tigers, meanwhile, scraped home 28–16 over the Eels, a scoreline that flattered them slightly given how much ground they gave up in patches.

Both sides will be desperate to tighten their defence this week, with the Cowboys defence undoubtedly being led by skipper and QLD rake Emma Manzelmann out of dummy half.

For the Tigers, NSW rep and damaging runner Kezie Apps starts in the backrow, with ever-reliable Sarah Togatuki looking to control the middle.

Betting tip: Wests Tigers 13+.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans

Saturday, July 11 - 10:45am AEST, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Canterbury will be keen to bounce back after a 32–10 loss to the Warriors, a match where their forward pack was competitive, but their finishing let them down badly.

Being the second season in the comp for the Bulldogs women, they look significantly more competitive with a proper pre-season under their belt.

The Titans have similar concerns after going down 34–10 to the Roosters, struggling to contain a red-hot attacking outfit.

We’ve got eyes on Gold Coast Titans five eighth, Olympic Rugby 7s convert Tegan Levi, who should get more opportunity with ball in hand against the Dogs.

Between Levi, their experienced halfback Lauren Brown, fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati and Blues centre Jamie Chapman; the Titans look to have too much firepower in this one.

Betting tip: Gold Coast Titans 1-12.

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights

Saturday, July 11 - 12:45pm AEST, Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The clash of the round, and deservedly so. The Roosters were ruthless in Round 1, running away with a 34–10 win over a Titans side made up of quality players.

While the Knights were just as clinical in a 18–4 defeat of the Sharks. Both sides arrive unbeaten and full of confidence, which raises the stakes early in the season in Round 2.

Reigning Dally M Captain of the Year Isabelle Kelly headlines a stacked Roosters backline alongside NSW Origin mainstays like Tarry Aiken, Jess Sergis and Olivia Kernick.

New recruit Kirra Dibb adds a touch of class in the halves for Newcastle and has big line running backrowers in Yasmin Meakes and Fane Finau to crash into the line.

Knights are a chance here if they can hold on in defence, but we’re leaning towards the star-studded Roosters side.

Betting tip: Sydney Roosters 13+.

Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors

Sunday, July 12 - 7:30am AEST, GIO Stadium, Canberra

Canberra opened their season with a solid 20-4 win over the Dragons, a performance built on strong go-forward and disciplined defence.

The Warriors looked dangerous too, running riot in a 32–10 demolition of the Bulldogs. This looms as a tough test of the round for the Raiders, who'll need a near-perfect performance to match it with a Warriors side firing on all cylinders.

For Canberra, workhorse forward Simaima Taufa will be key to the home side's chances of getting go-forward, with classy half Zahara Temara bringing experience and control off the back of a rolling pack.

However, this Wahs squad is full of power athletes and natural footy players, with recruit Gayle Broughton tying it all together in the halves, it may be a long night at the office for the Raiders Ladies.

Betting tip: New Zealand Warriors 13+.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels

Sunday, July 12 - 9:15am AEST, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

The Dragons didn’t look great in Round 1, scoring just a single try against the Raiders; showing they have plenty to work on in preparation for this one.

That said, the Eels have their own set of questions to answer, following a 28–16 loss to Wests Tigers, particularly around their completion rate under pressure.

Both sides are searching for their first win of the season, and neither will want to fall to 0-2.

The fullback battle between two top-class custodians in Teagan Berry for Saints and Abbi Church for Parramatta is an exciting one for any footy fan.

We’re thinking the Eels may have just too much firepower for St George in this one.

Betting tip: Eels by 1-12.

Odds are subject to change.*