'Very, very ugly': Warriors duo referred straight to judiciary after NRLW first

Warriors duo Matekino Gray and Tysha Ikenasio have been referred straight to the judiciary following two separate incidents in their side's 20-16 loss to the Raiders.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Warriors were reduced to 11 players just 24 minutes into their match after the pair were both sent off inside the opening half.

The situation marked the first time in the NRLW's history that two players were ejected in the same game.

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"We've seen two examples of why the rules exist, a leg lift and a hip-drop, in the first 24 minutes of this game," Ruan Sims said in commentary for Nine.

Second-rower Gray has since been charged with a grade-three dangerous throw, while centre Ikenasio was charged with dangerous contact.

Gray was the first to depart the match, immediately marched off the field in the 22nd minute for a leg-lift tackle on Chloe Saunders.

The movement saw Gray lift Saunders into the air before tipping her sideways, causing her to land awkwardly head-first.

The foul play was instantly recognised by commentators.

"That's a horror tackle," caller Brenton Speed said on Nine.

Sims added: "That's very, very ugly. It is very fortunate that Chloe Saunders got up from this tackle and is able to play on."

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In a moment of sportsmanship, Gray and Saunders shook hands before the former left the field.

Just three minutes later, Ikenasio followed her teammate to the bench after a hip-drop tackle on Monalisa Soliola. Although referee Damian Brady initially called no penalty, the Bunker intervened to sanction Ikenasio, who was also placed on report.

Ikenasio swung her body, twisting Soliola awkwardly in the tackle before landing on her lower legs.

Soliola was helped from the field and did not return.

The depleted Warriors found themselves up against it in wet conditions, eventually going down 20-16.

Raiders prop Jordyn Preston opened the scoring in the second minute before the visitors extended their lead when Warriors hooker Capri Paekau was penalised for not being square, and Zahara Temara slotted the penalty kick.

Canberra scored again with a show-and-go play by Sereana Naitokatoka before Mackenzie Wiki also charged over to establish a solid buffer.

At half-time, the Raiders led 16-4, but despite their numerical disadvantage, the Warriors refused to give up.

Putting together a comeback for the ages, a hat-trick to winger Payton Takimoana brought the hosts within four points with minutes left on the clock.

"This is so brave," Phil Gould said in commentary.

However, the challenge proved too great as the Raiders secured their first win of the season.