New Zealand Warriors Women

Last updated

New Zealand Warriors
Club information
Full nameNew Zealand Warriors Rugby League Football Club [1]
Nickname(s)The Warriors, The Wahs
Colours  Blue
  Green
  Red
  White
FoundedClub: 1995 as Auckland Warriors
Website warriors.kiwi
Current details
Ground
CEOCameron George
Chairman Ken Reinsfield
Coach Ronald Griffiths
Captain Apii Nicholls
Competition NRL Women's Premiership
New Zealand home jersey 1995.svg
Home colours
 New Zealand Warriors away jersey 2024.png
Away colours
Rugby football current event.png Current season
Records
Premierships0
Biggest winWarriors 44 – 6 Tigers
Campbelltown Stadium (14 Sep 2025)
Biggest lossWarriors 6 – 30 Roosters
Allianz Stadium (6 Jul 2025)
First gameWarriors 10 – 4 Roosters
ANZ Stadium (8 Sep 2018)
Most recent gameWarriors 44 – 6 Tigers
Campbelltown Stadium (14 Sep 2025)
Wooden spoons 0
Most capped16 – Apii Nicholls
Highest try scorer15 – Payton Takimoana
Highest points scorer60 – Payton Takimoana

}}

The New Zealand Warriors Women are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the National Rugby League Women's (NRLW) premiership. [2] The Warriors women’s team are coached by Ronald Griffiths. [3] As with their men’s team, the Warriors women are based at Mount Smart Stadium in the Auckland suburb of Penrose. The Warriors women’s team previously competed in the NRLW for three seasons: 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Contents

History

In December 2017, the New Zealand Warriors expressed their interest in applying for a licence to participate in the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership. In March 2018, they were awarded one of four licences for the league's inaugural season, to commence in September of the same year. [4] Luisa Avaiki was named the coach of the side. [5]

The team competed in, and finished 3rd place in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the latter of which included the first ever standalone NRLW match held at Mount Smart Stadium. [6]

The team was impacted in 2020 by travel restrictions imposed to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Five New Zealand based players from the previous season elected to go through three weeks of quarantine isolation on arrival in Australia to prepare for the 2020 NRLW season. [7] The remainder of the Warriors squad consisted of Australian based players. The team was coached by Jillaroos coach, Brad Donald. [8] The side came in third place (from four) for the third consecutive year.

In June 2021, CEO Cameron George announced the team would not compete in the 2021 competition but plan to re-enter the competition in 2022. [9] This did not eventuate, however, with the NRL announcing NRLW expansion to 10 teams for the 2023 season that did not include the Warriors. [10] In August 2022, during a Members-Only meeting with CEO Cameron George, Owner Mark Robinson, Coach Stacey Jones, and Captain Tohu Harris. It was announced their intention to re-enter the competition for the 2025 season. On March 28 2024, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo announced the Warriors would rejoin the NRLW, along with a Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs team, in an expanded 12-team competition from 2025. [2]

Players


Table last updated on 12 November 2025.

J#PlayerAgePosition(s)NRLW SeasonsNRLW StatsOriginTestsAll
Stars
Debut2018-2420252026MTGPremsPts
– Annetta Nu'uausala 30 Prop, Second-row 2018 Auckland colours.svg 4 Newcastle colours.svg 5 Brisbane colours.svg 15 Brisbane colours.svg 11 Auckland colours.svg 0355020 Brisbane colours.svg 1—Flag of New Zealand.svg 14 Flag of Samoa.svg 6—
– Apii Nicholls 32 Fullback 2018 Auckland colours.svg 6 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg 5 Canberra colours.svg 17 Auckland colours.svg 10 Auckland colours.svg 03821334——Flag of New Zealand.svg 19—
–Capri Paekau24 Hooker 2023 Parramatta colours.svg 5 Auckland colours.svg 10 Auckland colours.svg 015000——Flag of New Zealand.svg 1Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 2
– Emmanita Paki 22 Five-eighth, Centre 2022 Newcastle colours.svg 4 Auckland colours.svg 11 Auckland colours.svg 015208 Newcastle colours.svg 1 Queensland colours.svg 2Flag of Tonga.svg 3—
– Felila Kia 21 Prop, Second-row 2023 Newcastle colours.svg 3 Auckland colours.svg 1 Auckland colours.svg 04000 Newcastle colours.svg 1———
– Gayle Broughton 29 Five-eighth, Fullback 2022 Parramatta colours.svg 7 Brisbane colours.svg 16 Brisbane colours.svg 13 Auckland colours.svg 0369036 Brisbane colours.svg 1—Flag of New Zealand.svg 3Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 1
– Harata Butler 32 Prop 2023 Cronulla colours.svg 8 North Queensland colours.svg 4 Auckland colours.svg 11 Auckland colours.svg 023000— New South Wales colours.svg 1Flag of New Zealand.svg 1Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 3
– Ivana Lauitiiti 19 Prop 2025— Auckland colours.svg 6 Auckland colours.svg 06208——Flag of New Zealand.svg 3—
–Kaiyah Atai24 Lock, Centre 2025— Auckland colours.svg 11 Auckland colours.svg 011104——Flag of the Cook Islands.svg 4—
– Laishon Albert-Jones 28 Lock, Second-row 2023 Newcastle colours.svg 20 Auckland colours.svg 9 Auckland colours.svg 0295020 Newcastle colours.svg 1—Flag of New Zealand.svg 3Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 1
– Lavinia Tauhalaliku 26 Wing, Centre 2025 North Queensland colours.svg 4 Auckland colours.svg 3 Auckland colours.svg 07208——Flag of New Zealand.svg 1 Flag of Tonga.svg 3—
CMaarire Puketapu23 Second-row, Lock 2025— Auckland colours.svg 10 Auckland colours.svg 010000————
– Matekino Gray 20 Prop, Second-row 2024 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg 4 Auckland colours.svg 8 Auckland colours.svg 012000————
– Mele Hufanga 31 Centre 2023 Brisbane colours.svg 20 Brisbane colours.svg 13 Auckland colours.svg 033250100 Brisbane colours.svg 1—Flag of Tonga.svg 1 Flag of New Zealand.svg 13—
–Metanoia Fotu-Moala26 Prop 2025— Auckland colours.svg 5 Auckland colours.svg 05104——Flag of Tonga.svg 1—
MMya Hill-Moana23 Prop 2021 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg 25— Auckland colours.svg 025104 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg 2—Flag of New Zealand.svg 10Tino Rangatiratanga Maori sovereignty movement flag.svg 4
IJ Patricia Maliepo 22 Five-eighth 2025— Auckland colours.svg 9 Auckland colours.svg 0941750——Flag of New Zealand.svg 2—
–Payton Takimoana22 Centre, Wing 2025— Auckland colours.svg 11 Auckland colours.svg 01115060————
– Shakira Baker 33 Second-row, Centre 2025— Auckland colours.svg 8 Auckland colours.svg 08104——Flag of New Zealand.svg 1—
– Stacey Waaka 30 Wing 2024 Brisbane colours.svg 6U7s Auckland colours.svg 066024————
–Tyra Wetere20 Wing, Halfback 2025— Auckland colours.svg 6 Auckland colours.svg 065020————
– Tysha Ikenasio 28 Centre, Fullback 2025— Auckland colours.svg 8 Auckland colours.svg 08208——Flag of New Zealand.svg 2—
–Ashlee Matapo19 Prop 2025— Auckland colours.svg 8—8000——Flag of the Cook Islands.svg 2—
DVDanii Gray19 Hooker ————0000————
P Michaela Brake 29 Wing, Centre 2025— Auckland colours.svg 4—4208————

Notes:

The New Zealand Warriors had announced contract extensions in several instalments from August 2025. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] The New Zealand Warriors had announced player signings in several instalments from October 2025. [17] [18] [19] [20]

Signings for 2025

From 10 September 2024 the New Zealand Warriors began to announce player signings for the 2025 NRLW season.

PlayerPosition(s)Announcement Date2024 ClubRef
Apii Nicholls Fullback 10 Sep 2024 Canberra Raiders [21]
Mya Hill-Moana Prop 12 Sep 2024 Sydney Roosters [22]
Capri Paekau Hooker 12 Sep 2024 Taniwharau [22]
Harata Butler Prop 12 Sep 2024 North Queensland Cowboys [22]
Laishon Albert-Jones Second-row , Lock 16 Sep 2024 Newcastle Knights [23]
Matekino Gray Prop 18 Sep 2024 Gold Coast Titans [24]
Emmanita Paki Centre , Wing 18 Sep 2024Central Qld Capras [24]
Lavinia Tauhalaliku Wing , Centre 18 Sep 2024 North Queensland Cowboys [24]


2026 Gains and Losses

Gains
Player2025 Club
Annetta Nu'uausala Brisbane Broncos
Gayle Broughton Brisbane Broncos
Mele Hufanga Brisbane Broncos
Stacey Waaka NZ Rugby 7s
Losses
Player2026 Club
Lavinia Kitai St George Illawarra Dragons
Avery-Rose CarmontReleased
Emily CurtainReleased
Makayla EliReleased
Kalyn Takitimu-CookReleased
Lydia Turua-QuedleyReleased
Sharnyze PihemaReleased
RE-SIGNED
PlayerYear Off Contract
Patricia Maliepo 2026
Metanoia Fotu-Moala2026 (Club Option for 2027)
Kaiyah Atai2027
Ivana Lauitiiti 2027
Maarire Puketapu2027
Off Contract 2026
Player
Apii Nicholls
Capri Paekau
Emmanita Paki
Felila Kia
Harata Butler
Laishon Albert-Jones
Lavinia Tauhalaliku
Matekino Gray
Patricia Maliepo
Payton Takimoana
Tyra Watere

Captains

All players that have captained the New Zealand Women's in first-grade.

Cap No.NameYears As CaptainDebut RoundGames As CaptainGames for Club
1. Laura Mariu 2018Round 133
2. Georgia Hale 2019-2020Round 169
3. Apii Nicholls 2025-presentRound 11116
4. Harata Butler 2025Round 7111

Coaches

On 1 July 2024, the club announced the appointment of Ronald Griffiths as head coach of their NRLW team, for their return to the competition in 2025. Griffiths was appointed on a three-year deal. [3]

CoachSeason SpanMWDLForAgstWin %Share %
Luisa Avaiki2018–201963035610450.00%35.00%
Brad Donald20203102486033.33%44.44%
Ronald Griffiths 20251140719419836.36%49.49%

Table last updated: 15 September 2025.

Seasons

SeasonRegular SeasonFinalsNinesRef
PWDLFAPtsPosTopPlacing
2018 3102265823rd2——
2019 3201304643rd2——
2020 3102486023rd2—4th
2025 1140719419888th6——

2026 Draw

The draw for the 2026 season was announced on 14 November 2025. [25] [26] [27]

RoundOpponentScoreDateTimeVenue
1 Canterbury colours.svg Bulldogs Sun 5 Jul 20261:45 PMHome FMG Stadium Waikato
2 Canberra colours.svg Raiders Sun 12 Jul 202612.00 PMAway GIO Stadium
3 North Queensland colours.svg Cowboys Sat 18 Jul 20263:15 PMHome Go Media Stadium
4 Parramatta colours.svg Eels Sun 26 Jul 202612:00 PMAway Eric Tweedale Stadium
5 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Titans Sun 2 Aug 20261:45 PMNeutralGeohex Stadium, Wagga Wagga
6 Newcastle colours.svg Knights Sat 8 Aug 20265:15 PMHome FMG Stadium Waikato
7 Wests Tigers colours.svg Tigers Sun 16 Aug 20261:45 PMAway CommBank Stadium
8 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Roosters Sun 23 Aug 20261:45 PMAway Allianz Stadium
9 St. George colours.svg Dragons Sun 30 Aug 202611:50 AMHome Go Media Stadium
10 Cronulla colours.svg Sharks Sat 5 Sep 202612:45 PMHome Go Media Stadium
11 Brisbane colours.svg Broncos Sun 13 Sep 202612:00 PMAway Totally Workwear Stadium

Club records

OLDEST & YOUNGEST PLAYERS

The Oldest and Youngest players to represent the New Zealand Warriors Women's in first-grade.

! NameAgeYear
Apii Nicholls 322025
Ivana Lauitiiti 192025

Head-to-head records

OpponentFirst MeetingPWDLPFPAWin %Share
Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Roosters 8 Sep 20184202446850.00%39.29%
St. George Illawarra colours.svg Dragons 15 Sep 20184103568425.00%40.00%
Brisbane colours.svg Broncos 21 Sep 20184103409425.00%29.85%
Parramatta colours.svg Eels 13 Jul 20251100140100.00%100.00%
Newcastle colours.svg Knights 20 Jul 2025100120360.00%35.71%
Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Titans 26 Jul 2025100110200.00%33.33%
North Queensland colours.svg Cowboys 3 Aug 20251100126100.00%66.67%
Canterbury colours.svg Bulldogs 9 Aug 20251100346100.00%85.00%
Canberra colours.svg Raiders 16 Aug 2025100116200.00%44.44%
Cronulla colours.svg Sharks 24 Aug 2025100114220.00%38.89%
Wests Tigers colours.svg Tigers 14 Sep 20251100446100.00%88.00%
Totals4 Jul 202520801230436240.00%45.65%

Notes

Player records

Lists and tables last updated: 21 September 2025.

Margins and streaks

Biggest winning margins

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
3844—6 Wests Tigers colours.svg Wests Tigers Campbelltown Stadium 14 Sep 2025
2834—6 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Accor Stadium 9 Aug 2025
1414—0 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels Go Media Stadium 13 Jul 2025
1222—10 St. George Illawarra colours.svg St George Illawarra Dragons Accor Stadium 17 Oct 2020
612—6 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys McDonald Jones Stadium 03 Aug 2025
610—4 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters ANZ Stadium 08 Sep 2018
416—12 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters AAMI Park 14 Sep 2019

Biggest losing margins

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
246—30 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters Allianz Stadium 6 Jul 2025
2210—32 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos AAMI Park 21 Sep 2018
206—26 St. George Illawarra colours.svg St George Illawarra Dragons Mount Smart Stadium 22 Sep 2019
206—26 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos FMG Stadium Waikato 7 Sep 2025
1620—36 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights McDonald Jones Stadium 20 Jul 2025
1414—28 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos GIO Stadium 3 Oct 2020
1210—22 St. George Illawarra colours.svg St George Illawarra Dragons ANZ Stadium 15 Sept 2018
1012—22 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters Bankwest Stadium 10 Oct 2020
1010—20 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans Go Media Stadium 26 July 2025

RECORDS & HISTORY

FIRST GAME

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
610–4 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters ANZ Stadium 8 Sep 2018

BIGGEST WIN

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
3844–6 Wests Tigers colours.svg Wests Tigers Campbelltown Stadium 14 Sep 2025

BIGGEST LOSS

MarginScoreOpponentVenueDate
246–30 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters Allianz Stadium 6 July 2025

Most consecutive wins

Most consecutive losses

WARRIORS ALL TIME INTERNATIONALS

See also

References

  1. ↑ "View All Details". Companiesoffice.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 "New NRLW teams announced for 2025 competition". NRL. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 Becht, Richard (1 July 2024). "Griffiths to coach NRLW side". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  4. ↑ Newton, Alicia (27 March 2018). "Geographic location the focus as NRL women's teams announced". NRL.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Becht, Richard (28 March 2018). "Vodafone Warriors appoint NRL women's premiership head coach". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  6. ↑ Rosser, Corey (22 September 2019). "Dragons surge past Warriors to keep NRLW title hopes alive". NRL. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Becht, Richard (5 September 2020). "Advance guard in isolation in Sydney". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  8. ↑ Becht, Richard (27 August 2020). "Donald signed as Warriors NRLW coach". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  9. ↑ Becht, Richard (11 June 2021). "Warriors out of 2021 NRLW but will return next year". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  10. ↑ Newton, Alicia (15 June 2022). "Everything you need to know: 2023 NRLW expansion". NRL. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Becht, Richard (8 May 2025). "Carmont secured to fill last spot in NRLW squad". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  12. ↑ Becht, Richard (14 August 2025). "Atai's contract extended until 2027 season". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  13. ↑ Becht, Richard (2 October 2025). "Puketapu earns two-year NRLW contract extension to 2027". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  14. ↑ Becht, Richard (2 October 2025). "Rookie Lauitiiti re-signed on two-year NRLW contract". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  15. ↑ Becht, Richard (3 October 2025). "NRLW contract extension confirmed for rookie Maliepo". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  16. ↑ Becht, Richard (3 October 2025). "Front rower Fotu-Moala re-signed for 2026 NRLW season". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  17. ↑ Becht, Richard (5 October 2025). "NRLW premiership winner Broughton signed for two years". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  18. ↑ "NRLW grand final star Hufanga signs with Warriors". Warriors.Kiwi. 8 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  19. ↑ Becht, Richard (10 October 2025). "Nuuausala third premiership winner signed in a week". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  20. ↑ Becht, Richard (26 October 2025). "Black Ferns superstar Waaka inks NRLW deal in huge signing coup". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  21. ↑ Becht, Richard (10 September 2024). "Nicholls first NRLW signing". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  22. 1 2 3 Becht, Richard (12 September 2024). "Waikato trio signed for NRLW". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  23. ↑ Becht, Richard (16 September 2024). "Albert-Jones signed for NRLW". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  24. 1 2 3 Becht, Richard (18 September 2024). "Three more NRLW signings". Warriors.Kiwi. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  25. ↑ "2026 NRLW Telstra Women's Premiership Schedule". NRL. NRL Media Release. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  26. ↑ "Draw - Telstra Women's Premiership - 2026". NRL. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  27. ↑ "Blockbusters and big finishes, 2026 draw released". Gold Coast Titans. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
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