<p>The NRLW returned with a bang last week with Australia’s premier women’s rugby league competition serving up a slew of close games, upsets and stunning four-pointers.</p> <p>Some sides started as expected – Canberra, Cronulla and Newcastle. While others, such as the perceived premiership contenders Broncos began season 2024 with a whimper, going down at home to last season’s wooden spooners Parramatta.</p> <p>Can they bounce back in NRLW round 2? Can Parra continue to shake the tag of cellar dwellers and pick up two wins on the spin? And can any of the Tigers, Roosters, Dragons or Cowboys find their first win of the season? Let’s find out!</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, odds betting advice and more, check out our NRLW round 2 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canberra Raiders Women vs Newcastle Knights Women Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, August 3, 11:00am AEST – GIO Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Once again, it’s the Newcastle Knights up first. They’ll open NRLW round 2, this time on the road to the Canberra Raiders.</p> <p>Both of these sides picked up wins to start their season, but against very different calibre opponents.</p> <p>The Knights saw off fellow premiership favourites the Chooks in what could very well be a preview of this year’s grand final.</p> <p>The Novocastrians held on against a fast-finishing Tri-colours side, with a successful conversion the only difference between the two heavyweights in the end.</p> <p>The Raiders win was far more convincing, trouncing the Tigers, the key phrase here being “the Tigers.”</p> <p>Heavily tipped to emulate their male counterparts this season, beating the Tigers isn’t anything to write home about.</p> <p>The Knights are the superior team in our eyes, and we will be backing them accordingly here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/canberra-raiders-women-v-newcastle-knights-women-8438310">Newcastle Knights Women.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans Women vs Wests Tigers Women Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 3, 12:45pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Titans will be looking to start the season two from two when they tangle with the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>They’re good value to do just that after their impressive road victory against St George last time out.</p> <p>Their barnstorming winger Emily Bass started the season in some style, opening the scoring against the Dragons, before going on to complete a hat-trick, pulling off a couple of impressive Try July celebrations in the process.</p> <p>This game, that the Titans should win, presents a perfect opportunity for Bass to keep her try tally for NRLW season 2024 ticking over.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/gold-coast-titans-women-v-wests-tigers-women-8438312">Gold Coast Titans Women.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Emily Bass first try scorer.</p>

<h2>Parramatta Eels Women vs Cronulla Sharks Women Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 4, 12:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ladies and gentlemen, we already have our first major upset of the season. After finishing bottom of the pile last season, the Eels were tipped to do the same this year.</p> <p>However, someone forgot to tell them, because they only went and knocked off big dogs Brisbane to start the season.</p> <p>A number of stars announced themselves such as Rory Owen, while experienced no.7 Rachael Person stood up and took control of the game with help from her new halves partner Tohi-Hiku.</p> <p>The only blemish on an otherwise outstanding performance for the Eels were the two season ending injuries to forwards Rueben Cherrington and Boss Kapau.</p> <p>Even with these two setbacks, we are backing Parra to keep the good times rolling when they host the Sharks in NRLW round 2, who were also impressive in their win over the Cowboys last week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/parramatta-eels-women-v-cronulla-sharks-women-8438317">Parramatta Eels Women.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Rory Owen anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Roosters Women vs Brisbane Broncos Women Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 4, 1:45pm AEST – Allianz Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The headline match of NRLW round 2 sees the Sydney Roosters welcome the Brisbane Broncos to Allianz stadium on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>While Brisbane were shocked by the electric Eels, the Roosters went down swinging against reigning champions Newcastle, despite their injury problems.</p> <p>It’s very hard to back Brisbane after they lost at home to last year’s wooden spooners, particularly when they have to try and contain strike players like Australian and NSW representative Jessica Sergis.</p> <p>The rampaging centre found what should have been a game-levelling try late last week, unfortunately Jocelyn Kelleher couldn’t add the extras.</p> <p>We reckon Sergis will give Kelleher a shot at redemption this maybe, maybe even two. We also reckon she’ll be able to help lead the Chooks to victory at home here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/sydney-roosters-women-v-brisbane-broncos-women-8438324">Sydney Rooster Women.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jessica Sergis first try scorer.</p>

<h2>North Queensland Cowboys Women vs St George Illawarra Dragons Women Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 4, 6:10pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of NRLW round 2 pits two teams against each other who will be hoping to get off the mark in season 2024.</p> <p>Both the Dragon and the Cowboys were outclassed to start the season, with the Cowboys not even managing to get on the scoreboard in their loss to the Sharks.</p> <p>The Dragons provided some resistance and even threatened to reel the Titans in at one point.</p> <p>All in all, there doesn’t look to be a whole lot of points in either of these sides at the moment, so we’re tipping the Dragons to sneak home in a low scoring affair here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrlw/north-queensland-cowboys-women-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-women-8438325">St George Illawarra Dragons Women.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRLW 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>