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RNZ News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors women learn on fly in NRLW homecoming
Warriors women celebrate a try against Parramatta Eels. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ After six years away, NZ Warriors wāhine gave home fans a glimpse of their future, as they continued their rugby league education with a first NRLW win at Mt Smart on Sunday. The inexperienced roster that looked lost at times against defending champions Sydney Roosters seven days earlier, seemed far more connected in a 14-0 victory over Parramatta Eels. To coin an old phrase, the penny dropped for the 10 players who had never stepped out at this level before - including a handful of rugby converts, who had never even played the game before. "From our performance from last week to this week - without a trial game, we were in freefall at times last week, but we kept going for each other," Warriors coach Ron Griffiths observed. "Today, we were in freefall, but because we had that run under our belt, we understood how to win moments back." The Warriors returned to the Aussie women's competition after the Covid-19 pandemic forced a five-year hiatus, but only seven had previous NRLW experience and only one - captain Apii Nicholls - had worn the jersey before. Michaela Brake scores her first NRLW try against the Eels. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ The rest have been either plucked from domestic club footy or raided from the other oval-ball code. They also took on the titleholders without a pre-season game and that lack of cohesion showed in a 30-6 defeat at Sydney. "If you watched Shak's performance last week [former Black Fern Shakira Baker], it was immense for a lady that had only played limited rugby league games," Griffiths said. "When you watched her again today, you could see those moments she missed last week, she got them right." With their performance against Parramatta, in their first home game since 2019, the Warriors seemed far more at ease in their unfamiliar surroundings. Asked which aspect of the scoreline pleased him most, Griffiths had no hesitation. "Definitely the zero," he said. "There's lots of pleasing moments to come out of that, but one thing we've spoken about from day one was having a team full of defensive resolve. "Putting the layers on top in attack will come and we've seen a vast improvement today in that - but definitely the zero." Given her impressive sevens pedigree, most attention will naturally centre on winger Michaela Brake, as she tries to master a new skillset, and she took a huge step forward in her development. The nuggety speedster known as 'Mini' scored her first NRLW try in the opening minutes against the Eels, and tormented them throughout with her willingness to run in the open field and from dummy half. "Last week, Michaela had 10 carries and they were all powerful, but we've been talking to her about when she needs to run," Griffiths said. "We've only given her fleeting bits of information. "Her ruck recognition today, and understanding when to follow the ball and run, was self-taught. She's been watching the game and thinking, 'I need to improve from last week and that's when I need to chase these moments in time'. "She did that exceptionally today." Tysha Ikenasio scores a try against Parramatta Eels. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ The next step in that evolution will come when Brake's teammates recognise she's about to run and then follow. One try went begging against the Eels, when Brake scampered clear from her own half, but ran out of support with just the fullback to beat. "We need to anticipate that and it's up to us as coaches to put them in those scenarios where they see that picture - 'What are we seeing right now, we need to be on that play'." Some of that learning happened in game. In the first half, halfback Emily Curtain rolled a kick to the tryline, but centre Tysha Ikenasio - another sevens exponent - slightly mis-timed her chase and couldn't control the bounce. When Curtain repeated that kick in the second half, Ikenasio was on the spot to score. Perhaps the play of the game came from Nicholls herself. As Eels counterpart Abbi Church counterattacked from her own goal-line, the field suddenly opened up with teammates around her. Nicholls stood her ground on halfway and dumped Church in a crucial one-on-one tackle that's sure to feature in this week's game analysis. "Her career is littered with moments like that where, when the break's made, she makes a decision," Griffiths said. "She doesn't always get it right, but her application to go and make that tackle is important. "One thing I noticed today, when that break was made, I could see her and Mini communicating. "Last week, if the break was made, we went to that player. This week, I could see them communicating amongst each other." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Warriors women on Auckland return: 'First impressions last forever'
Harata Butler of the Warriors is tackled during the Sydney Roosters Women v NZ Warriors Women in 2025. Photo: Photosport The Warriors women understand the importance of first impressions and intend to make this one count. With their 2020 season relocated to Australia, before Covid put them on hiatus, it has been six years since the side played in front of the Auckland faithful. Sunday sees their grand return to Mount Smart as they take on the Eels in round two of NRLW and coach Ron Griffiths said they were about to make a statement. "First impressions last forever and when they take the field this week, there will be a first impression that will leave an indelible imprint in the minds of our supporters." Despite defeat in their first match back to competition, Griffiths saw plenty of positives from the trip to Sydney as the side went down to the defending champion Roosters 30-6. "One thing that I'll never worry about is the result, I understand rugby league and sports are a results driven game, but we're here to change the landscape of rugby league in New Zealand." The team showed glimpses of the quality they possess, with many of the players transitioning from other codes looking right at home in the 13-woman game. "Obviously there's some teething issues for some of our players, but you'd expect that as they've never played rugby league in their life. We're extremely proud of where we started 12 months ago to where we are now and then to the first game to play like that, a team full of resolve, determination and grit. It's a marvellous testament to the group we've got here." One of those standouts was former Blues player Patricia Maliepo, who reiterated the result was not the focus. "I don't think anyone really reflected on the scoreboard. I think everyone just was so excited for us to be back in the comp and to be playing our first game together. It was something bigger than the scoreboard." Patricia Maliepo of the Warriors shapes to pass. Photo: Mark Kolbe / Something that was not dented in Sydney was the side's self belief. "We have total confidence in who we are and I think that starts at the top, the character of people that we brought to the organisation," Griffiths said. Another debutant, Michaela Brake said they were a team to be feared. "We are very hearty. We've got a team full of very scary women who aren't afraid of hurting people. We're going to be going into this game on Sunday with a whole different look on our face." A double header is set for Mount Smart on Sunday with the Warriors men to follow at 4pm against the Tigers. Brake was hopeful that fans would head along earlier for the 1.50 kick off to support both sides. "I'm expecting a sold out crowd because the tickets are sold out, so that should mean that there won't be any empty seats when we play. I'm excited to play in front of a Warriors fan base and in front of a crowd who are so proud to support such a prestigious team and a unique culture here in New Zealand." Griffiths understands the significance of the season for his players. "At the end of the day when it's all said and done, whether you deem our season as a success or not, the memories that they create with their families, they keep those forever. They run out there this weekend and it's another milestone." For Tysha Ikenasio, it will be a return to the Mount Smart stands for the first time in 30 years. "My papa had the first tickets when they first came here and my nana hasn't been back since the first game in 1995. So it's actually quite a special moment. It's a lot of emotion, this is kind of their dream too." Ashlee Matapo of the Warriors runs to her supporters in the crowd after the Sydney Roosters Women v NZ Warriors Women, round 1 of the NRLW women's rugby league at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia on Sunday 6 July 2025. Photo: Photosport Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors wahine juggle real-life challenges with NRLW footy dreams
Left to right: Apii Nicholls, Mya Hill-Moana, Kaiyah Atai, Laishon Albert-Jones, Michaela Brake and coach Ron Griffiths at the Warriors NRLW launch. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ NZ Warriors women's coach Ron Griffiths admits he has sometimes arrived at training and sensed it probably wouldn't happen tonight. "Sometimes, as a coach, you have to walk in and feel the room," he said. "You have to understand they might have had a long day at work, and everything can't be black and white at this stage. "It's got to be, 'Let's feel the room here, how are we going as a group, are we connected… let's spend some time off the park and connect'. "'Let's make sure our players get the right amount of recovery and, if they need a spell from footy, let's send them away'." This scenario illustrates the vast differences between the fulltime, professional men's NRL and the very much part-time nature of the women's competition , even in it's eighth season, with a record 12 teams. "You have some players that don't need to work," Griffiths said. "They can concentrate on rugby league only. "That's the real upper echelon, the top tier, but there are still a lot of players that work, go to school and also have children on top of that." Returning to the NRLW after a five-year hiatus , the Warriors will face defending champions Sydney Roosters on Sunday, with a squad consisting mainly of players juggling real lives with their footy aspirations. Laishon Albert-Jones works fulltime as a teacher's aide. Photo: NRL Photos/ Lock Laishon Albert-Jones , 27 - a Kiwi Ferns international, with two seasons of NRLW already under her belt - still works fulltime as a teacher's aide at Rosebank Primary School. "Sometimes, it can be hard," she admitted. "For me, it's long hours and then long nights, when you come to training. "Sometimes, I get real tired. There was one day - I think - last week, when I almost fell asleep in the class, just absolutely tired from training the night before. "It does get difficult at times, but it's definitely worthwhile. It's good for me, making a little bit more money on top of everything else, and it keeps me out of trouble during the day, I guess." Veteran prop Harata Butler, 32, is based in the Waikato, where she is also a fulltime youth worker. "From 4-8pm, you're switching from a youth support worker to NRLW player, so it's quite intense," she said. "On the back of that, you're having yarns with your 10-year-old son in the car on the way home, saying, 'I'll see you in about an hour… what did you have for dinner? Have you had your shower?'" Back home, Aussie halfback Emily Curtain, 23, works fulltime for building equipment company Want Access, which has generously allowed her to operate remotely and part-time on this side of the Tasman, during her Warriors tenure. Harata Butler works fulltime as a youth support work in Waikato. Photo: NRL Photos "Not everyone makes enough to just do footy fulltime," she said. "We need that extra piece to get us through the season, but to know the company I work for has my back and always very lenient, when I need time off for footy, has been really, really helpful." Understanding those off-field stresses is key to bringing out the best from these women. "I have total admiration for some of our players that have given birth, they're working and they come here at night," Griffiths explained. "We're squeezing them Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday massage, Thursday training, Friday off, Saturday train again. "In the meantime, they've got a husband at home who might be needy, they've got kids, they're working and bosses are putting pressure on them, so total admiration and respect for what they do." Griffiths has worked with elite men in clubland and as Indigenous All-Stars coach, so he's well placed to gauge the differences with his women's role, where he has guided Newcastle Knights to back-to-back NRLW crowns in 2022-23. "The men are fulltime, they're professional," he said. "They've been doing it for a long period of time and are able to cope with those things. "They'd certainly have vested interest in maybe small businesses and families, but they probably have more time to do those things." If anything, their extra commitments make these women more multi-dimensional and, dare we say, more well-rounded than their male counterparts, who are generally paid enough to simply throw money at most real-life problems. "I'm one of 28 in our whole squad, so just imagine the 27 other female, young and mature lifestyles we're all managing," Butler winked. "It's pretty hectic, but as wahine, what can't we do? "I'm definitely backing us and, when we put our mind to it, we just give it a go." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Sevens star Michaela Brake named for NZ Warriors in NRLW return
Michaela Brake is among 10 NRLW debutants named against Sydney Roosters. Photo: Alan Lee/Photosport Black Ferns Sevens star Michaela Brake has been named on the wing for her rugby league debut, when NZ Warriors return to the NRLW against Sydney Roosters on Saturday. Coach Ron Griffiths has selected a squad featuring 10 NRLW debutants, including rugby converts Brake, centre Tysha Ikenasio, five-eighth Patricia Maliepo and second-rower Shakira Baker. Fullback and captain Apii Nicholls is the only player to previously appear for the Warriors , as one of the foundation members of the women's programme. Others to have played in the competition before include centre Emmanita Paki and lock Laishon Albert-Jones - who both won championships under Griffiths at Newcastle Knights - halfback Emily Curtain (Parramatta Eels, Wests Tigers), props Harata Butler (Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys), hooker Capri Paekau (Eels) and interchange forward Matekino Gray (Gold Coast Titans). "We're very excited," Griffiths said. "We have a diverse range of cultural backgrounds and a diverse group of players, with 75 percent of them not playing NRLW in the past 12 months. "From our perspective, we're really looking forward to going up against a side like the Roosters to get a yardstick of where we're at. "We're confident we'll be a team that certainly has lots of fun with the football and, defensively, we're going to work very hard for each other." One surprise selection is teenage prop Ashlee Matapo, 18, who was not among the original squad, but was brought in on a development contract to cover for injuries and unavailabilities. The Warriors women have not had the benefit of trial matches and will take on the defending champion Roosters in a rematch of their inaugural 2018 game, when the Auckland club toppled the Sydneysiders 10-4. Warriors: 1 Apii Nicholls (c), 2 Michaela Brake, 3 Tysha Ikenasio, 4 Emmanita Paki, 5 Payton Takimoana, 6 Patricia Maliepo, 7 Emily Curtain, 8 Harata Butler, 9 Capri Paekau, 10 Lavinia Litai, 11 Shakira Baker, 13 Laishon Albert-Jones
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Apii Nicholls named as Warriors captain in return to NRLW
Apii Nicholls of the Kiwi Ferns, 2023. Photo: AAP / Apii Nicholls has been named to captain of the Warriors in their return to the NRLW competition . The announcement comes seven years after she made her debut in the Warriors foundation side. The 32-year-old was at fullback when she opened their inaugural campaign with a win over the Roosters in 2018. The Warriors women withdrew from the competition in 2021 due to the financial pressures caused by Covid-19. The second version of the team will open their 2025 campaign against defending premiers the Roosters in Sydney on July 6. Nicholls has played 28 NRLW games for the Warriors, Gold Coast Titans and Canberra Raiders. "Apii is the only original New Zealand Warriors NRLW player to return home for our reintroduction to the NRLW competition. This speaks volumes about her loyalty and her strength of character," head coach Ron Griffiths said. "Furthermore her actions on and off the field personify a Warriors captain - hardworking and humble, someone who always puts everyone else's needs above hers." Nicholls said, "I'm truly blessed. I'm so proud to be part of this team." "I want to do what I think I do best by leading with my actions and keeping us connected as a team." Nicholls has played 16 Tests for the Kiwi Ferns and was a finalist for the women's Golden Boot award in 2023. She was also named in the team of the tournament at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
