Olympic sevens champion’s return to rugby league sparks Dragons in NRLW opener

Returning Olympian Emma Tonegato and rookie half Rachael Pearson have starred to help St George Illawarra beat newcomers Gold Coast 20-12 in the NRLW season opener.

Back in rugby league after eight years out while playing rugby sevens, Tonegato was brilliant for the Dragons from fullback on Sunday afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium.

She set up the Dragons’ first try with a brilliant long ball and busted five tackles, as the Red V dominated territory and beat the Titans out wide.

The Dragons led 14-0 with 13 minutes to go, before tries to Tiana Raftstrand-Smith and Shannon Mato threatened a late Titans comeback.

However they failed to complete on their final two sets, allowing the Dragons to finish the job with a Quincy Dodd try on the siren.

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Tonegato’s performance came in the 2016 Olympic gold medallist’s first competitive game of rugby league since walking away from the sport after the 2013 World Cup.

Pearson also impressed as she made her NRLW debut at age 28, busting three tackles and kicking superbly.

From outback NSW, Pearson played OzTag before deciding to make the move to Wollongong to try and pursue a career in the NRLW in 2019.

She stood out in the NSW premiership with Helensburgh, before the Dragons fought off interest from elsewhere to claim her signature.

Pearson secured a line dropout early in the second half from a kick from within her own half.

It helped the Dragons take full control of the match, with winger Teagan Berry scoring her second try shortly after to make it 14-0.

Dragons prop Elsie Albert was strong up front, making 106 metres from her 12 runs while Evania Pelite was