NRL

Belinda Sharpe will on Tuesday be confirmed as the first woman to take control of an NRL match, assigned as the assistant referee for Thursday night's Broncos and Bulldogs clash at Suncorp Stadium.

The Queensland-raised Sharpe and Kasey Badger were earlier this year elevated to the NRL's full-time referees squad, paving the way for the former to take the whistle in round 18.

She has been a constant as an NRL touch judge in recent times, as has Badger, but it won't be until this week that one of the pair has been given the task of refereeing an NRL fixture.

The Warriors looked to have the match in the bag through 60 minutes of play, before the under-manned Panthers exposed shaky tackling to score with three minutes left, then former Warriors pivot Maloney delivered a field goal killer blow.

Even a stunning second half try by a flying David Fusitu'a - a contender for try of the season - couldn't get the home side the win.

Warriors centre Patrick Herbert kicked a 40 metre penalty goal to send the match into extra time, but that turned the game into the Maloney show, as the Warriors slumped to another loss in Auckland.

Taupau was on Thursday named in New Zealand’s preliminary Test squad however on Friday took to social media to announce he had made himself available for Samoa.

“After hours of soul searching and plenty of discussion with my fiancee and family, I had to make a tough call to the NZ Kiwis coach Michael Maguire this morning to inform him that I have made the decision to make myself unavailable for selection for the NZ Kiwis, and elected to make myself available for the Toa Samoa team once again,” Taupau wrote.

Against the Cowboys on Friday night, Michael Maguire's men rolled out their whole rollercoaster repertoire before pulling off one of the great escapes of the season thanks to a controversial late penalty try and the boot of Benji Marshall, who celebrated his return to the Kiwis squad this week by landing the match-winning golden point.

The Tigers arrived in Townsville with their backs to the wall after being thrashed by the Raiders in front of their home fans seven days earlier.

The Dragons had slipped down the ladder with a string of defeats since their last win in April, but they were back on track thanks to a one-sided triumph on the road.

The visitors had Corey Norman back from a fractured cheekbone and both he and Queensland Maroons star Ben Hunt scored in inspiring performances.

It started badly for the Dragons as Raymond Faitala-Mariner crossed for the Bulldogs inside two minutes, but the Dragons were soon on top.

The Panthers racked up a third straight win by downing the defending premiers at Panthers Stadium, with Maloney providing three try assists and a field goal in an impressive showing to enhance his claims for a State of Origin recall.

Nathan Cleary came in for criticism following the Blues' State of Origin I defeat to Queensland in midweek, but he also put in a strong showing against the high-flying Roosters.

With Jai Arrow named to play for the Maroons in Origin I, Jai Whitbread is likely to start at lock for the Titans on Sunday where he will go up against Cowboys colossus Jason Taumalolo.

The 21-year-old was called into the run-on side late last week when Arrow went down with a quadriceps injury during the captain's run and ran for 102 metres in 35 minutes.

More importantly, he limited the impact of Manly giant Martin Taupau.

The Maroons coach said debutants Moses Mbye, Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita had earned their jerseys and would do the state proud as his eyes glazed over with the passion and emotion that has defined his tenure in charge of the Maroons.

Broncos forwards Ofahengaue and Fifita will come off the bench, as will Mbye with the Wests Tigers skipper beating Anthony Milford to the vital utility spot.

“I'm ready, we are ready. This is war,” Walters said.

Cronulla prop Fifita suggested his cousin was considering committing to the Mate Ma'a for next month's test against New Zealand in what would be a massive blow for Queensland's depth.

David Fifita was thought to be a leading contender to grab a Queensland bench spot for Origin I in a fortnight.

But Andrew Fifita said he was one of a host of young players with dual eligibility who wanted to commit to the fast-emerging Pacific nation.

"I feel like change is coming, especially for the international game," Andrew Fifita said.

Folau has decided against appealing Rugby Australia sacking him over his homophobic social media post though he hinted he wanted to continue as an athlete.

A route back to league where he started his stunning multi-code career has been largely dismissed and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie dashed any faint hopes of that in a damning fresh statement on Folau.

When it was suggested that Folau hadn't been fined or suspended by rugby and there was a technical opening for him to switch back to league, Beattie hit back.