NZ Warriors skipper Apii Nicholls grappling with NRLW captaincy conundrum

Scoop

4 days ago

, Digital Sports Journalist
As her NZ Warriors teammates acclimatise to the demands of NRLW, captain Apii Nicholls is locked into her own steep learning curve, trying to lead them through the minefield.
The wāhine slipped to a 20-10 defeat to Gold Coast Titans last Saturday, with Nicholls lamenting that she couldn't find a way to inspire those around her in their time of need.
"I think a few people talk about how I lead with my actions, but I felt in that game, I needed to lead with my voice," she reflected. "It was really challenging - there were moments when we felt the pressure and it was challenging for me to change that for our team."
The Auckland club has re-entered the Aussie women's rugby league competition after a five-year absence, winning one of their first four games against opposition rosters stacked with experience.
By contrast, less than half the Warriors 25-strong squad had played at this level before, and many are still adjusting to a switch from rugby union or sevens.
Fullback Nicholls, 32, is the most seasoned league performer on show, with 23 NRLW games under her belt - only lock Laishon Albert-Jones (24) has more - along with 11 tests for the Kiwi Ferns. She is also the only foundation member of the women's programme - Warriors player No.2 in 2018 - to return for its rebirth.
When new coach Ron Griffiths began considering his captaincy options, the choice was obvious, but Nicholls needed persuading.
"Last year, when we signed her, my wife and I met her in Canberra, and I thought she could lead the team," he remembers. "She's the sort of player, the way she speaks, her humility, she leads by her actions… she could captain this team.
"I didn't even mention leadership to her, but by the time I got back to Newcastle that night, I had a message saying she didn't want a leadership role with the club.
"We've taken her right outside her comfort zone and she's going through growing pains."
Nicholls has had to understand she is a work in progress. This is her first time as a skipper and, while that responsibility comes naturally to some, others have to work harder at it.
"That's something I've been able to accept over these past few days and that's helped me move on from that last game," Nicholls conceded.
"It's challenging and this week has been the most challenging for me, but I've been able to speak to a few people that have given me a lift that I can keep going.
"I really wanted to turn things around, but we didn't in the end. Leaving that game, what mattered the most was staying connected as a team.
"We reflect, we learn, we take ownership of our roles and keep building."
Whether she realises it or not, Nicholls has made an impact on those around her. She exudes mana and, yes, she has provided a couple of highlight plays already this season, especially on defence.
As Parramatta Eels counterpart Abbi Church broke from her own half and threatened to run the length of the park for a try, Nicholls' one-on-one tackle in midfield undoubtedly lifted the Warriors at a time when their first-ever win at Mt Smart still hung in the balance.
Griffiths tells of another senior player becoming quite emotional, while discussing Nicholls' growth in such a short time.
"That shows you she's well on her way to getting where she needs to be," he said. "Whatever Apii said on Sunday wouldn't have won or lost us that game.
"She might have felt she needed to lead with her voice, and at certain times, she will need to say things to lift her players or get them on track, but I didn't feel that had a bearing on the outcome on Sunday. She still feels like she needs to put the team on her back at times - that's probably where she's at as a leader - but she doesn't need to.
"She's always hard on herself and I get that, but when you watch good leaders, they self-reflect and think, 'Maybe I didn't get that right'. It can create some uncertainty at times, if you haven't had leadership roles before, so that's weighing on her mind."
Self-awareness can be a burden, but as the campaign progresses and other players become more comfortable in their new surroundings, Nicholls will find the support she needs from her teammates.
"I just want to make sure these girls have a good season, because it's their first time," she said. "As a leader, I want the best for each and every one of these players - that's the biggest focus for me.
"I'm a huge believer that everything happens for a reason. We'll continue to build, we're always going to be learning and we can't always get things right, so we are where we are meant to be."
Just like their captain.