Four more NRLW squad signings
Richard Becht
Thu 19 Dec 2024, 02:00 pm
Just 48 hours after
Michaela Blyde’s signing coup, her current Black Ferns Sevens teammate
Tysha Ikenasio has also switched codes for the One New Zealand Warriors’ return to the NRLW next year.
Secured for three seasons, the 27-year-old Ikenasio is among four more player signings confirmed today as the One New Zealand Warriors continue to build their squad for next season.
She is joined by
Payton Takimoana,
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook and
Makayla Eli, who all have rugby union backgrounds.
After five years playing sevens rugby union in Japan, Ikenasio returned home where she had a season playing rugby league with the Richmond Roses in the Auckland premiership before breaking into the Black Ferns Sevens squad in 2022. As well as sevens rugby, she has represented New Zealand in touch and tag.
“Tysha has a wonderful story, her career being built on resilience in taking the long route to become a Black Ferns sevens player,” said One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach
Ronald Griffiths.
“Included in her journey has been a stint in Japan, playing rugby league in Auckland and going through the enrolment process for the New Zealand Police before her opportunity finally came to join the sevens programme.
“Although she speaks with ultimate pride about her time in rugby, it has been evident in working our way through the process to sign her how committed and ready she is for the next chapter in her life.
“Tysha exudes a club and team first mentality. This coupled with her resilience and drive will no doubt see her have an immediate impact for the One New Zealand Warriors. We’re thrilled to have her on board.”
Takimoana (21), signed for 2025 and 2026, is in the Hurricanes Poua squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season alongside former Black Fern
Shakira Baker, whose signing with the Warriors was announced in September. She has scored 14 tries in 20 Farah Palmer Cup appearances for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix over the last three seasons.
“After watching Payton’s highlights and her innate ability to turn up in the right spot in attack, it was evident she can sense the big moment in a game,” said Griffiths.
“However, it was her efforts in defence, the numerous times that she chased back to save tries, that really caught our attention and, as well as this, her aggressive nature in defence was impressive.
“After meeting her family, we knew Payton would be a fantastic addition to the Warriors whānau. She’s someone who will be exciting to watch when the opportunity arises for her debut.”
Takitimu-Cook (24), also signed for 2025 and 2026, has played in the Farah Palmer Cup for the Manawatu Cyclones and the Bay of Plenty Volcanix while she made three appearances for the Hurricanes Poua in Super Rugby Aupiki this year.
A member of New Zealand’s gold medal-winning sevens rugby team at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, she tried her hand at rugby league this year with the Richmond Roses and helped the Akarana Falcons to victory in the New Zealand Rugby League’s national premiership.
“Kalyn took the leap and switched to rugby league in season 2024. Her decision to commit to league ultimately paid dividends with her being rewarded with a contract,” said Griffiths. “Her progression from the start of the year was fantastic. A real strength for Kalyn will be her ability to develop and play a multitude of positions due to her vast skillset. She has an uncanny knack of finding space; this and her attitude make her a great addition to our squad.”
The 23-year-old Eli is a rugby union-rugby league double international. With club links to both codes in the Counties Manukau area, she has appeared at Test level for Samoa’s national women’s rugby union side Manusina and for Fetu Samoa in rugby league.
She has also played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the New South Wales women’s premiership.
“Makayla has played in many different representative teams, including Samoa in both codes and Aotearoa Māori,” said Griffiths.
“However, it was her trip to play with Manly in the 2024 Harvey Norman NSW premiership season that allowed us to see her play in strong competition in which she acquitted herself well.
“Blessed with a natural ability to read the game we are looking forward to working with Makayla to develop a strong mindset. We believe the mentality shift will see Makayla flourish at the One New Zealand Warriors.”
Eli has also been signed for 2025 and 2026. With the five signings announced this week, the Warriors have filled 16 spots in their squad with further announcements due to be made tomorrow.
Those signed so far are:
Apii Nicholls,
Mya Hill-Moana,
Harata Butler,
Capri Paekau,
Laishon Albert-Jones,
Emmanita Paki, Lavinia Tauhalaliku,
Matekino Gray,
Shakira Baker, Tyra Wetere, Metanoia Fotu-Moala,
Michaela Blyde,
Tysha Ikenasio,
Payton Takimoana,
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook and
Makayla Eli.
2025 Warriors NRLW signings
Born: September 10, 2003
Birthplace: Tauranga, NZ
Teams: Rugby union | Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty Volcanix (Farah Palmer Cup) 2022-2024, Chiefs Manawa extended squad 2023-2024, Hurricanes Poua (Super Rugby Aupiki) 2025
Position: Rugby union | First five-eighth, second five-eighth, fullback
Height: 175cm
Weight: 76kg
NRLW debut: Yet to make debut
Rugby union career:
Farah Palmer Cup career:
Bay of Plenty Volcanix: 20 appearances (2022-2024)
Farah Palmer Cup points:
Bay of Plenty Volcanix: 70 (14 tries)
Honours: Rugby union | New Zealand Māori under-18 7s, New Zealand Māori under-18 Ngā Māreikura, New Zealand Condors 7s, 2023 Bay of Plenty club female player of the year
Black Fern
Tysha Ikenasio one of four more signings for Warriors' NRLW squad in 2025.
www.warriors.kiwi
