The inaugural NRL women's premiership match has been robbed of one of its biggest names, with star Sydney Roosters forward Ruan Sims ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Sims will miss Saturday's competition-opening clash with the Warriors at ANZ Stadium after Roosters medical officials determined it wasn't worth risking the Jillaroos prop ahead of the three-game round robin tournament.
"We've probably got to the point last night where Ruan could have played, but it would have been too much of a risk knowing it's a three-week competition," Roosters women's coach Adam Hartigan said on Friday.
"It looks like a grade-one hamstring. If Ruan had played and tore it, it would've been the end of her competition so we've decided to rest her this week."
Sims' demise comes after the Roosters also lost NSW centre Corban McGregor for the entire tournament with a shoulder injury.
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The Tri-Colours have arguably the strongest squad on paper, with 11 players backing up from last year's World Cup winning Jillaroos squad.
They face the Warriors on Saturday, before Brisbane host St George Illawarra in the other opening-round match of the four-team competition.
The two highest-ranked teams at the end of three rounds then play before the NRL grand final at the end of this month.
"We've had the opportunity to build a squad from a blank canvas which has been great. We've got good people through the door," Hartigan said.
"We've got the talent there, it's just a matter of putting it together."
