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Joel Gould

Titans No.1 Pelite must be thwarted by Broncos: Prince

Rugby sevens convert and Gold Coast fullback Evania Pelite has started the NRLW season on fire. (Chloe Davis/AAP PHOTOS)

Gold Coast's powerhouse fullback Evania Pelite looms as the gamebreaker ahead of the NRLW clash with Brisbane after a stunning start to the season.

Pelite, a gold medal winner with the Australian Rugby Sevens side at the 2016 Olympic Games, ran for a stunning 246m, made 16 tackle breaks and scored a try in the 16-6 win over North Queensland last week.

Broncos coach Scott Prince said Pelite would be a handful in the round two clash at the Gabba on Thursday night. 

"Our kick-chase has to be on. We know what Vani is capable of and she is one of their strike weapons," Prince said.

"When Vani is playing well the Gold Coast are playing well so she is a player we need to watch."

Brisbane lost 36-18 to the Sydney Roosters last week, missing 45 tackles, but Prince said there was a lot to like about the way his side played against one of the competition favourites.

Prince said the Broncos would rally around winger Ashleigh Werner who will miss two matches after she was suspended by the judiciary for biting Roosters winger Jayme Fressard last week.

Werner pleaded not guilty to the charge and Prince was disappointed with the ruling.

"The one thing about Ash is that she is a lovely girl and that is certainly not in her nature," Prince said.

"We wanted to prove her innocence in regards to the charge and the allegations. I respect the decision by the NRL and now we will move on with our focus to support Ash, not only as a coach and players but also as a club.

"We will rally around her. She is a committed girl and she will fight her way back into this team, and we look forward to having her back."

In other round two NRLW games Canberra host the Roosters on Saturday, the same day St George Illawarra welcome Parramatta to Wollongong.

There is a double-header on Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground with Newcastle taking on the Cowboys before the match of the round between Wests Tigers and Cronulla.

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