Jamie Soward has declared Emma Tonegato must play fullback for Australia in the World Cup after starring in St George Illawarra's 26-12 NRLW defeat of Gold Coast.
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Dally M Medallist in the early-year NRLW competition, Tonegato made a statement to start the second edition of the league in 2022 with a dominant first 20 minutes against the Titans.
Looking dangerous with every touch, the fullback scored the Dragons' opening try when Talei Holmes sent her over in the 12th minute.
She then laid on a superb cut-out pass for debutante winger Andie Robinson, continuing a dream year for the teenager after a hat-trick in under-19s State of Origin..
Tonegato, who represented Australia at the 2013 World Cup, switched to Rugby 7s before returning to rugby league earlier this year.
But she must now firmly be in the conversation to claim the Jillaroos' No.1 jersey off Tamika Upton.
It's something Dragons coach Soward claims should not even be up for debate, while also admitting his fullback's second half could have been far better on Sunday.
"She will be wearing the No.1 for Australia," Soward said.
"She's the best No.1 in the world. And whoever is going to argue that probably doesn't know rugby league.
"She's the best No.1 in the world. She knows it, I know it, you know it, (Dragons captain) Kezie (Apps) knows it."
The Dragons were minor premiers in the postponed 2021 season played earlier this year, and looked as if they picked up where they left off.
As the only team in the competition to keep the same spine, their attack looked controlled as winger Tegan Berry bagged a double and Apps and Holli Wheeler both topped 100 metres in the middle.
The Titans looked every bit the side with a new coach and new structure.
Questions were also asked of coach Karyn Murphy's call to play Evania Pelite at centre, allowing Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls to play No.1.
"Evania played a bit of fullback but has been a centre for quite a while," Murphy said.
"She's a genuine athlete and a strong ball carrier so we've just got to get away to get her a bit more ball out in the centres.
"I want to be patient with that, it's only a week in."
In the later game, a new-look Newcastle outmuscled perennial heavyweights Brisbane 32-14 to record their first NRLW win.
The Knights failed to win a game in the postponed 2021 season but went on spending spree in preparation for their second competition, luring stars Millie Boyle, Tamika Upton, Yasmin Clydsdale and Hannah Southwell to the Hunter.
But despite the slew of big names, it was Southwell's younger sister Jesse who led the charge on debut to cement her place as Kirra Dibb's halves partner.
The youngest debutant in NRLW history, the 17-year-old halfback stepped through a hole in the Broncos' defence to open the scoring and finished the night with two line breaks to her name.
Just days after calling out online trolls for body-shaming, winger Julia Robinson produced a double for the Broncos that had them back in the contest.
But when front-rower Caitlan Johnston crashed over as the final 10 minutes approached, the result was beyond doubt for the Knights.
"Regardless of the result tonight, there was one thing we wanted and that was to make out Newcastle community proud," said Knights coach Ron Griffiths.
"I've got no doubt that we ticked that off tonight. That was extremely important for us."
Australian Associated Press
