Former Black Ferns Sevens star Tyla Nathan-Wong made a successful start to her NRLW career, scoring on debut, as her St George Illawarra Dragons fell to a 32-16 defeat against Newcastle Knights.
Nathan-Wong, 29, was released from her NZ Rugby commitments earlier this year to head across the Tasman and play rugby league.
Starting at five-eighth against Newcastle - the 2022 NRLW winners - Nathan-Wong looked at home in her new surroundings.
Playing alongside Kiwi Ferns halfback Raecene McGregor - the reigning Dally M Female Player of the Year - Nathan-Wong scored one try, made one linebreak, threw one linebreak assist and kicked one conversion, to go with 13 tackles in 80 minutes.
As Newcastle opened the scoring through prop Tayla Predebon, the Knights ran in 18 points, before the Dragons could reply.
Second-rower Yasmin Clysdale and interchange forward Kayla Romaniuk also scored in the first half, before the Dragons got on the board, through fullback Teagan Berry.
Knights winger Jasmin Strange opened the scoring in the second half, before Berry answered with her second.
Down 26-12, Nathan-Wong got on the scoresheet, when she went over from close range to close the scores to 26-16, but the Knights rallied and scored twice more before fulltime.
The Dragons will return home for their next fixture, hosting Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium next weekend.
