NRLW Warriors NRLW Recruitment & Retention

Warriors NRLW Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

Player	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030
Laishon Albert-Jones
Kaiyah Atai
Shakira Baker		C
Harata Butler
Metanoia Fotu-Moala	C
Matekino Gray
Mya Hill-Moana
Tysha Ikenasio
Felila Kia
Patricia Maliepo
Apii Nicholls
Capri Paekau
Emmanita Paki
Maarire Puketapu	C
Payton Takimoana
Lavinia Tauhalaliku
Paris Pickering
Danii Gray
Ivana Lauiti'iti
Sharnyze Pihema

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, R = Relief Player, D = Development contract

Confirmed Incoming: Nil
Confirmed Outgoing: Avery-Rose Carmont (Not extended), Emily Curtain (Option declined), Makayla El (Released), Lavinia Kitai (Not extended), Kalyn Takitimu-Cook (Option declined), Lydia Turua-Quedley (Option declined), Tyra Wetere (Catalans Dragons W)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 13/24
Confirmed Development 2026: 0/4

Confirmed Top 30 2027: 3/28
Confirmed Development 2027: 0/4

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[sup42]

"The Warriors are set to announce four star signings at the end of this season ️

Ron Griffiths: “Three of them actually have been great names in rugby that are now playing rugby league and one of them is just an out and out rugby league player, rugby league royalty in terms of the name and what she done in the game, and they’re all coming home.”

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Broughton and Hufaga are two of them.. Any stabs or rumours on who the other two could be?

Could he be describing Georgia Hale at the end there? Maybe King is the third union convert?

Is Mele confirmed? I love her, my favorite player.

Gee we will really have some bruisers if Mele is coming, they were scared to play us this year, next year could be even more terrifying.

 

[Billyspleen75]

Raecene McGregor is off contract at the end of 2025. That would be epic.

Only downside is I don't think Maliepo would be staying if we are getting Broughton and another gun half.

Mele is a great signing.

Hale is awesome, but both her and Albert-Jones at lock doesn't work. LAJ to prop?

I don't think Brake will be back-she is due in March. So im hoping for another outside back. Maybe Abigail Roache but she is under contract for a while. Stacey Waaka or Katelyn Vaha'akolo from Rugby would be good

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Hale is awesome, but both her and Albert-Jones at lock doesn't work. LAJ to prop?

Hale is a legend and all, But our forward pack was our strength this year. I'd prefer a slimmed down Albert - Jones ahead of her.

We need a 7. Raecene McGregor would be next level! Be a shame if Maliepo doesn't return. I like Gale Broughton, But Maliepo has it all. Kicks goals too. Gales strengths is her running game, And short kicking game.
Unless Maliepo goes to 7 , Gale 6?

Good to have Mele back! Centre combo of Mele & Tysha Ikenasio will be mean.
Wings, Takimoana , And one of either- Wetere or Lavinia Tauhalaliku. Wetere needs to put some meat on her frame. Lavinia is a big tall winger. A good off season for her to work on cardio & tone up & she could be anything.

Unless we grab a Vaha'akolo or Waaka.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Hafanga is a weapon, but holy hecka Payton Takimoana won't be beating any more try scoring records outside her!

 

[Zaggo]

There really aren't that many out and out Kiwi league players that are NZ born and raised and could be considered stars.

Could've been Tiana Davison but she just signed an extension at the Knights.

Annessa Biddle? She'd be good but unsure of contract status.

Mackenzie Wiki??

Have to assume Broughton and Hufanga are two of the others. A good hooker would be high on my wishlist, that position was a dogs breakfast this year.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Hopefully news on the Maliepo front- the team put out a post farewelling departing players, and she was not on it

Departing:
Avery-Rose Carmont
Emily Curtain
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook
Makayla Eli
Lydia Turu—Quedley
Michaela Brake
Lavinia Kitai

 

[Zaggo]

Hopefully news on the Maliepo front- the team put out a post farewelling departing players, and she was not on it

Departing:
Avery-Rose Carmont
Emily Curtain
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook
Makayla Eli
Lydia Turu—Quedley
Michaela Brake
Lavinia Kitai

Not overly surprised by any of those. Thought the likes of a Kitai/Eli might stick around for depth, but club has clearly been active in the transfer market. Looking forward to seeing some new names.

 

[Billyspleen75]

Tyra Wetere going to Catalans Dragons.
That's a shame, i thought she would take Api's spot sometime soon.
Although Ron Griffith's mentioned he sees Takimoana as a future fullback

 

[Teets]

Tyra Wetere going to Catalans Dragons.
That's a shame, i thought she would take Api's spot sometime soon.
Although Ron Griffith's mentioned he sees Takimoana as a future fullback

Saw that, is she gone for good or is it one of those deals where she can come back for the NRLW season?

 

[Cces]

Seeing as she wasn't listed on the departing players post I just assumed it was an offseason gig. A search on the Catalans website shows only 3 scheduled games for the team with the first on October 4th

 

[sup42]

Tyra Wetere going to Catalans Dragons.
That's a shame, i thought she would take Api's spot sometime soon.
Although Ron Griffith's mentioned he sees Takimoana as a future fullback

What an amazing opportunity, the South of France is so beautiful, amazing league culture.

 

[france]

Damn she's HOT..lol

 

[UpDaWahsAucks]

Tyra is only spending the offseason in France, will be back for the NRLW season

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Not overly surprised by any of those. Thought the likes of a Kitai/Eli might stick around for depth, but club has clearly been active in the transfer market. Looking forward to seeing some new names.

I thought Quedley was a bit of a surprise. She covers the halves & hooker & has done a pretty good job.

 

[Teets]

I thought Quedley was a bit of a surprise. She covers the halves & hooker & has done a pretty good job.

She might have something lined up to be closer to her partner in Aussie?

One of the Roache bros pretty sure.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

She might have something lined up to be closer to her partner in Aussie?

One of the Roache bros pretty sure.

Yeah bro. Paul Roache

 

[mtsmart]

I thought Quedley was a bit of a surprise. She covers the halves & hooker & has done a pretty good job.

Same, she did a pretty good job covering at 7 when given the opportunity.

 

[mtsmart]

Tyra Wetere going to Catalans Dragons.
That's a shame, i thought she would take Api's spot sometime soon.
Although Ron Griffith's mentioned he sees Takimoana as a future fullback

What I'd like to see is when Api'i retires, the Warriors make a play for Black Ferns superstar Braxton Sorenson-McGee. She's expressed a desire to one day play league and for the Kiwi Ferns. She comes from NZ league royalty, being related to Kurt and Dane. I reckon she has the talent to be the Warriors version of Tamika Upton. She's only 18, got years ahead of her.

 

[mtsmart]

There really aren't that many out and out Kiwi league players that are NZ born and raised and could be considered stars.

Could've been Tiana Davison but she just signed an extension at the Knights.

Annessa Biddle? She'd be good but unsure of contract status.

Mackenzie Wiki??

Have to assume Broughton and Hufanga are two of the others. A good hooker would be high on my wishlist, that position was a dogs breakfast this year.

Yeah, the Warriors need a dummy-half who's got the smarts to take advantage of slack markers and some speed off the mark. But maybe Griffiths just wanted his players to do the basics and not be expansive. We saw what the girls could do in their last game when they shifted the ball earlier and wider out. What I'd like to see next season is for the centres to play a bit more and offload.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Shannon Mato (Prop, māori All Stars, Maroons, Jillaroos) has been released by the Titans on compassionate grounds.

Born in Whangarei but has lived in QLD since she was 13.. seems unlikely she would get a release just to move back to Brisbane..?