Author : Tahlie Gavin NSWRL Media 

Northern Tigers secure maiden Lisa Fiaola Cup

The third time proved to be a charm for the Northern Tigers, taking out the 2026 Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup in a thrilling Grand Final.

After going down in each Grand Final since the competition’s inception in 2024, the Tigers outlasted the Riverina Bulls 26-18.

The Tigers started strong, carrying a 12-0 lead early on. But the Bulls’ dominant end to the half saw them score 18 unanswered points to enter the sheds with an 18-12 lead.

A tough second half saw the Tigers get themselves back on track as Player of the Match, Tigers five-eighth Ebony Pepperell, put the cherry on top with a try under the posts to seal the premiership.

“We got done by 40-points in a trial against Western Rams before we started the comp. If I am honest, I probably didn’t think we were going to get here,” Northern Tigers coach Luke Taylor said.

“It is a massive credit to these girls, they have been killing it.

“We have got a couple of good leaders in our front row and when they got back onto the field, we went there. But I thought our best player and the gutsiest effort today was Ebony Pepperell.”

The Tigers found first points through a strong run from prop Tia-nara Slater-Saunders.

A handling error from the Bulls saw the Tigers make them pay as Slater-Saunders charged her way through defenders to open the scoring.

Pepperell added the extras as the Tigers held a 6-0 lead.

Another Bulls error just minutes later saw another opportunity come to light for the Tigers.

A beautiful last play kick from Pepperell saw the Bulls struggle to hold onto the high ball, as centre Mary Arandale swooped in on the loose ball, strolling over the line.

Pepperell furthered the Tigers’ lead 12-0.

A penalty 10 metres out gave the Bulls with their best opportunity to get points on the board.

Fishing around the try-line, it was fullback Ruby Douglas who made the break with a left foot step that managed to fool the Tigers line as she gapped her way over.

Converting her own try, the Bulls trailed 12-6.

Just two minutes later the fullback made another impressive stride. 65 metres out, a massive break from Douglas with some footwork and fending got her side level before half-time. Another successful conversion saw things tied up 12-all.

With 50 seconds left on the clock, a Tigers error 10 metres from the Bulls line put them in close range.

Passing left, Peyton Livet delivered as the Bulls took the lead for the first time. With the conversion successful the Bulls entered the sheds in front, 18-12.

“They went into those sheds at half-time with their heads downs down. Being up 12-0 to then down 18-12.

Those 10 minutes leading into half-time just really wasn’t great,” Taylor said.

“She (Pepperell) busted her arm before half-time, and she toughed it out and went back out there for the second half.”

The Tigers ended the Bulls’ try-scoring streak as they found the first points of the second half to get themselves back into the game.

A cut-out pass from Pepperell to Arandale saw her throw off the defence with a little dummy before turning back inside to cross the line. Unable to convert, the Tigers trailed 16-18.

It was Tigers domination to end the second half, scoring two impressive tries to secure the win. Brochtrup managed regain the Tigers’ lead with brave run from dummy-half.

It was the competition’s leading point-scorer, Pepperell, who finished things off with a try of her own. At first receiver from a scrum 10 metres out, Pepperell mastered her way under the posts.

“My arm was sore during the second half, but I worked through it because I wanted to be out there, so I kept pushing,” Pepperell said.

“It feels so good.”

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Author : NSWRL

Port Macquarie to host NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day

The NSWRL is pleased to announce that Port Macquarie will host the NSWRL 2026 Regional Representatives Grand Final Day with five games to be played on Saturday 28 March featuring the best regional teams from Major and Junior Representatives competitions across the state.

The titles will be decided for the Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16s Boys), Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17s Girls), Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18s Boys), Men’s Country Championships and Women’s Country Championships at Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium.

It is the first time the NSWRL’s Regional Representatives Grand Final Day has been held at Port Macquarie and follows a proud tradition of taking the showpiece event to Rugby League heartland around NSW with Canberra, Cessnock and Woy Woy hosting previous editions.

“The NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day is always a special occasion as it represents the first of our Grand Final Days for the season but moreover, it is a wonderful celebration of regional Rugby League,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.

“Rugby League plays an important role in regional NSW as it helps bind communities together and has also produced some true legends of our game who have gone on to represent at the highest level.

I am confident some of the players we will see on Saturday will follow the same path.

“I congratulate all the teams who have made it through to their respective Grand Finals and I wish all the players the very best of luck as they proudly represent their region.”

The day will kick off with a new premier to be crowned in the Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup with Northern Tigers taking on Riverina Bulls.

The Tigers will be hoping for a case of third-time lucky after making the Grand Final for the past two seasons only to come up short against the Western Rams (2024) and North Coast Bulldogs (2025), while the Bulls are shooting for their first title.

Macarthur Wests Tigers and Newcastle Maitland Region Knights will follow in the Andrew Johns Cup.

The Knights will be aiming to make it back-to-back titles after beating Northern Rivers Titans last year, while the Tigers last made the decider in 2024 only to go down to Central Coast Roosters.

Macarthur Wests Tigers will also feature in the Laurie Daley Cup when they take on Northern Rivers Titans.

The Tigers made the decider last year but will be hoping for better fortunes after losing to Illawarra South Coast Dragons, while the Titans are looking for their first title.

If Macarthur Wests Tigers are successful in both deciders, they will become the first region since the Central Coast Roosters in 2021 to claim the Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup in the same year.

Newcastle Rebels will be out to make it four straight titles in the Men’s Country Championships when they take on Central Coast Pelicans.

Newcastle have downed the Riverina Bulls (2023), Monaro Colts (2024) and Northern Rivers Titans (2025), while the Pelicans are into their first decider and will be hoping they can be the first team to break the Rebels’ stranglehold.

Western Rams will also be looking to continue their domination of the Women’s Country Championships and make it three consecutive titles when they take on Northern Rivers Titans.

The Rams beat the North Coast Bulldogs (2024) and were comfortable winners last year over the Titans, who will be keen to turn the tables after beating Monaro to make another decider.

Tickets are available at the gate and are only $10 for an adult, $5 for children aged 12-16, while children aged 11 and under and pensioners are free.

NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day

Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium

Saturday 28 March

Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup

10am: Northern Tigers v Riverina Bulls

Andrew Johns Cup

11.30am: Macarthur Wests Tigers v Newcastle Maitland Region Knights

Laurie Daley Cup

1.15pm: Macarthur Wests Tigers v Northern Rivers Titans

Men’s Country Championships

3pm: Newcastle Rebels v Central Coast Pelicans

Women’s Country Championships

4.45pm: Western Rams v Northern Rivers Titans

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The post Port Macquarie to host NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Tayla Micallef NSWRL

Rams make history with Grand Final win

The Western Rams have today made history by winning the inaugural Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup defeating the Northern Tigers 22-8 in the Grand Final at Woy Woy Oval.

The Rams were dominant throughout the game with standout performances from hooker Zakiah Jenkins and prop Alana O’Loughlin which helped seal the win.

Play something unreal

O’Loughlin was named Player of the Match with the captain thanking her coach and team upon accepting the honours.

Player of the Match Western Rams forward Alana O’Loughlin. Photo: Bryden Sharp NSWRL

The opening 10 minutes of the game saw each team go set for set however a handful of unlikely errors resulted in a struggle to find momentum.

The Western Rams were first to open the scoring through lock Grace MacGregor who pushed past two defenders to find the line to the right of the posts (6-0).

A one-on-one strip from prop Alana O’loughlin on Tigers fullback Emily Dietrich gave the Rams great field position, placing them only 20 metres out from their line.

Rams five eighth Millah Hutchins capitalised when she straightened up the defence before passing the ball to back-rower Na’shaeya Dickinson who crossed for a four pointer (10-0).

The Tigers found the line just before half-time, with the right edge combining down the short side for winger Marlee Stewart to cross in the corner (10-4).

The Rams started the second half as strong as the first, marching up the field before O’Loughlin spun past defenders to score. Centre Lara Edwards’ conversion attempt was successful, extending her team’s lead out to 12 points.

Two penalties to the Tigers saw them move into Rams territory. Despite strong defence from the Rams, quick footwork from Tigers fullback Dietrich, saw the young playmaker step through to score (16-8).

A Tigers knock-on near the goal-line gifted the Rams with a full set of six. Hooker Zakiah Jenkins added four points in the 53rd minute extending the score out to 22-8.

The Tigers fought hard in the final 10 minutes, however the Rams defence proved to be the difference.

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