Pelite stars, Fuimaono hurt as NRLW Titans beat Cowboys

Joel Gould | July 22, 2023

Gold Coast fullback Evania Pelite has showcased her class and power to inspire a 16-6 NRLW win over North Queensland, but the victory came at a cost.

Titans No.6 Taliah Fuimaono limped from the field in the second half with coach Karyn Murphy confirming after the clash there was concern the Jillaroos star had suffered an ankle injury.

Pelite, a 2016 Olympic gold medal winner with the Australian Rugby Sevens side and current Queensland State of Origin representative, was at her brilliant best with and without the ball.

The 27-year-old scored a crucial try, saved one and had a hand in the leadup to another at Cbus Super Stadium where she ran for 248m and made 15 tackle busts.

“Vani (Pelite) was massive with a try-saving tackle late in game and with her carries at the back,” Murphy said.

The Cowboys had a great start to their existence as a new NRLW club with hooker Emma Manzelmann darting out of dummy-half to score with a dazzling run through the middle.

Manzelmann, the first player signed by the Cowboys, then made a desperate try saver to deny Gold Coast.

Pelite then made a slick short-side play in the leadup to winger Destiny Mino-Sanapati’s try to get the hosts on the scoreboard.

North Queensland led 6-4 at the break but the Titans started the second stanza with flair.

Pelite’s blockbusting running style and footwork secured Gold Coast’s lead for the first time in the match with a 40m surge to the tryline.

The Cowboys refused to give in, even after they lost winger Mia Middleton to the sin bin after she dumped opposite number Emily Bass on her head.

Pelite made a try-saver on the visitors’ second-rower Shaniah Power before Titans back-rower Zara Canfield bullocked her way over under the posts. 

Despite tasting defeat, Cowboys coach Ben Jeffries said there were plenty of positives after what was a historic day for the new team.

“When I first moved to Townsville in 2015 there was no women’s comp,” he said.

“I am privileged and honoured to be the inaugural coach and part of the female pathway and it is going to be here for years to come.”