NRLW Warriors NRLW Recruitment & Retention

Warriors NRLW Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

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

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

Confirmed Incoming: Gayle Broughton (Brisbane Broncos)
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)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 19/24
Confirmed Development 2026: 0/4

Confirmed Top 30 2027: 7/28
Confirmed Development 2027: 0/4

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[sup42]

Definitely Maliepo as the 7. With an off season to work on it, I'm sure she can. She was a 10 in rugby, but apparently played a lot of fullback too. So I'm imagining a Luke Metcalf esque transition to 7

It is a shame we did not just sign a star number 7 outright and just one of Maliepo or Broughton.

But I understand why things are the way they are. The Warriors cannot just take their Sombrero out to the cheating tree like the Broncos and sign the best specialists in every position.

The annoying thing is that we will have to wait a season realistically, so next years another rebuild year.

Don't get me wrong, I am sure our coach has a plan.

But we are not talking about transitioning league players into other specialties like Metcalf, we are talking taking Rugby players and moving them around while they learn how to play league.

It would be unreasonable to expect out back line to look fluid next season.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Worst-kept secret, now official

 

[Billyspleen75]

Clarity on Wetere from the NRLW signings tracker.

Fellow Warriors newcomers Tyra Wetere and Felila Kia have been signed by Les Catalans for an offseason stint in the French domestic competition.

Both players will return in April in time for preseason training in May.

“With our season over and a long time off until we start again, this is a great opportunity for Tyra and Felila to play more football and do so in another competition,” Griffiths said.

“Tyra was new to rugby league this year and this is a way for her to spend more time on the field learning about the game."

 

[WahsaurusRex]

"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.”

This third mystery player will be Anetta-Claudia Nu’uausala so I’ve heard.

 

[Teets]

This third mystery player will be Anetta-Claudia Nu’uausala so I’ve heard.

Who was the 2nd?

 

[enterthewarrior]

This third mystery player will be Anetta-Claudia Nu’uausala so I’ve heard.

If this is true then its great news. Just the other day I was thinking it would be good if she were to come back to the club. Guess I got my wish lol. Now we need Georgia Hale to come back as well.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Stacey Waaka seems really, really tight with Broughton and Hufanga. I wonder if she could be a possibility although the clues given about the 4 imminent signings wouldn't suggest so. She was in the Dally M TOTY from just her 6 appearances at the Broncos in 2024.

 

[Leon Black]

Ron Griffith guided the Newcastle Yowies to a 25–24 Koori Knockout win over Bourke, with Knights’ McEwen named Player of the Match and PNG’s Kyle Laybutt slotting the match-winning 35m field goal.

I also thought yesterday Hufanga implied she was staying at Red Hill.

 

[UpDaWahsAucks]

Hearing Hufanga to be announced relatively soon (assuming by end of week?)

 

[Leon Black]

Hearing Hufanga to be announced relatively soon (assuming by end of week?)

We will come for you if she doesn’t sign

 

[Leon Black]

Gobsmacked the Dally M winger of the year missed the squad.

Stoked for the other five, especially Maliepo and Ivana — the rugby converts have really boosted the team.

Interesting that Ethan Strange’s sister chose the Kiwis — clearly their old man taught them their roots.

 

[Billyspleen75]

I put a best guess at a line up together
Assuming Hufunga and Nu'uausala are the next 2 signings.
Hooker looks really light and i hope that the 4th signing is a hooker.
Paki and Wetere cover 1-7 (one probably even takes the #2 spot)
Good forward depth with Hill-Moana available now and ACN coming in.
The last 2 spots will probably be some local youngsters

1 Apii Nicholls
2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku
3 Tysha Ikenasio
4 Mele Hufunga
5 Payton Takimoana
6 Gayle Broughton
7 Patricia Maliepo
8 Anetta-Claudia Nu’uausala
9 Capri Paekau
10 Mya Hill-Moana
11 Shakira Baker
12 Kaiyah Atai
13 Laishon Albert-Jones
14
15 Metanoia Fotu-Moala
16 Harata Butler
17 Matekino Gray

18 Tyra Wetere
19 Emmanita Paki
20 Ivana Lauiti'iti
21 Felila Kia
22 Maarire Puketapu
23
24

 

[Leon Black]

I put a best guess at a line up together
Assuming Hufunga and Nu'uausala are the next 2 signings.
Hooker looks really light and i hope that the 4th signing is a hooker.
Paki and Wetere cover 1-7 (one probably even takes the #2 spot)
Good forward depth with Hill-Moana available now and ACN coming in.
The last 2 spots will probably be some local youngsters

1 Apii Nicholls
2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku
3 Tysha Ikenasio
4 Mele Hufunga
5 Payton Takimoana
6 Gayle Broughton
7 Patricia Maliepo
8 Anetta-Claudia Nu’uausala
9 Capri Paekau
10 Mya Hill-Moana
11 Shakira Baker
12 Kaiyah Atai
13 Laishon Albert-Jones
14
15 Metanoia Fotu-Moala
16 Harata Butler
17 Matekino Gray

18 Tyra Wetere
19 Emmanita Paki
20 Ivana Lauiti'iti
21 Felila Kia
22 Maarire Puketapu
23
24

Paki can play anywhere in the backs — reliable all year and deserves that No.14 spot. Ivana will be in the 17 too, ahead of Fotu-Moala.

 

[Zaggo]

Paki can play anywhere in the backs — reliable all year and deserves that No.14 spot. Ivana will be in the 17 too, ahead of Fotu-Moala.

Where's the minutes though - between ACN, Harata, Grey, and Hill-Moana it doesn't leave many for another out and out prop.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Where's the minutes though - between ACN, Harata, Grey, and Hill-Moana it doesn't leave many for another out and out prop.

I'd have Lauitiiti before Hill Moana. Actually, I'd have her before all our props. Her & Matakino grey are the future.
I can't remember the last time Hill - Moana played? And she's just had a bubba.

Ivana is a weapon! There's noway she'll be playing club rugby league waiting for a injury or suspension to play 1st grade lol.