NRLW Warriors NRLW 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors NRLW 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

-	Player	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
	Laishon Albert-Jones			M
	Shakira Baker			C
	Michaela Blyde
	Harata Butler			M
	Makayla Eli
	Metanoia Fotu-Moala		C	M
	Matekino Gray
	Mya Hill-Moana
	Tysha Ikenasio
	Apii Nicholls
	Capri Paekau			C
	Emmanita Paki
	Payton Taikamoana
	Kalyn Takitimu-Cook
	Lavinia Tauhalaliku			C
	Tyra Wetere

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

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 16/28
Confirmed Development 2025: -
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 16/28
Unconfirmed Development 2025: -

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 13/28
Confirmed Development 2026: -

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[Ever Hopeful]

I thought the writing might have been on the wall a bit when the previous Warrior's players were getting re-signed by their current clubs a month or so ago. Covid really stuffed the NZWRL side. Players like Hale were the face of the club

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Spoke to someone working in this space. They are struggling abit to get deals done and are requiring alot of intermediary work to try to convince the rugby girls to join. Seems that maybe Cappy and the recruitment team are abit off the pace and we are a long way into it with little to no top quality signings. Hopefully we see a few more as the NRLW season comes to an end but there are little bit of alarm bells ringing imo.

Does cappy have to be over this? I would rather he focus on the boys and they should hire somebody else for this role, it creates another job and further development of somebody else.

Cappy needs to focus on the kids coming through the grades, I hope they are looking into this.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Waikato trio signed for NRLW

Waikato players Mya Hill-Moana, Harata Butler and Capri Paekau have been confirmed as the latest signings for the One New Zealand Warriors’ return to the NRLW in 2025.

They join experienced Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls whose signing on a two-year deal for 2025 and 2026 was announced on Tuesday.

Front rower Hill-Moana (22) has been secured for three seasons, fellow prop Butler (31) for 2025 and 2026 and hooker Paekau (23) for 2025 and 2026 with an option for 2027.

Huntly-born Taniwharau product Hill-Moana has played 24 NRLW games for the Sydney Roosters in four seasons so far including the 2021 premiership victory. A Māori All Stars representative for the last four years, she boasts 10 Tests for the Kiwi Ferns since 2020, helping them to the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022 and the drought-breaking win over the Jillaroos last year.

“Mya is a great coup for the Warriors, a premiership-winning representative front rower who we believe will be the cornerstone of the Warriors’ pack for many years to come,” said One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach Ron Griffiths.

“Among Mya’s many achievements it was evident when we spoke that receiving her blazer from her junior club Taniwharau was one of her most coveted moments.”

While born in Kawakawa, Waikato is home for Butler – another Taniwharau product – having lived in Huntly, Ngāruawāhia and Hamilton. She has made a total of 12 NRLW appearances for the Cronulla Sutherland and the North Queensland Cowboys over the last two seasons while she has represented the Māori All Stars three times, been a Kiwi Fern in 2020 and played for the Warriors at the NRL Nines the same year.

“In initial discussions with Harata we got an immediate sense of her strong cultural connection and the pride she has in her culture. We knew immediately that we wanted to bring Harata home to the Warriors,” said Griffiths.

“Further to this, over the last two seasons it has been evident watching Harata play that her experience will be invaluable to setting the tone at the Warriors.”

Te Awamutu-raised Pukaea came through Waikato clubs Turangawaeae and Te Iti Rearea, trained with the Warriors’ NRLW squad as a 17-year-old in 2019 and played for the Point Chevalier Pirates. Signed by the Parramatta Eels, she played five NRLW games last year and also made her Test debut for the Kiwi Ferns.

“Capri is a wonderful acquisition for the Warriors. She has had a taste of the NRLW and representative football with her best years ahead of her,” said Griffiths.

“When speaking with Capri, the pride that was portrayed by her about playing with the Warriors, and what it would mean to her and her whānau, was endearing.”

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

​

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Cappy must have read the thread earlier today

 

[Leon Black]

Do other teams have exclusively NRLW recruiters? Seems to be a lot of work for just Cappy and his team to be doing (without knowing the detailed ins and outs).

The coach should know who he wants and you will probably find signings won’t come until sides dip out of finals contention or a season ending injury. Stacey Waaka not making any comment on returning to Red Hill so be patient peeps.

 

[Leon Black]

Leianne Tufuga Tigers centre 22 Kiwi Fern, bring her home. Averages 130 metres just scored a powerful try running over the top of Dragons fullback ​

 

[Playdaball]

Need one of the NZ 7’s signings to gain maximum media exposure plus get a good player at the same time

 

[Kav1]

Need one of the NZ 7’s signings to gain maximum media exposure plus get a good player at the same time

I would rather go for experience

 

[Wahs Up TV]

Does cappy have to be over this? I would rather he focus on the boys and they should hire somebody else for this role, it creates another job and further development of somebody else.

Cappy needs to focus on the kids coming through the grades, I hope they are looking into this.

Yeah I agree it would be a big role. A few signings starting to come in now that Griffiths has some time to hit the phones etc. maybe in terms of getting the 7s girls over might not be much happening on that front. Nek minit every time I post here cappy announces a 7s girl signing lol

 

[JaggedJ]

Cappy playing shadow games with the forum.

Probably got a dozen more already signed, just sitting at the keyboard waiting for one of us to get snarky.

 

[Worried2Death]

Cappy playing shadow games with the forum.

Probably got a dozen more already signed, just sitting at the keyboard waiting for one of us to get snarky.

In that case I think it's a pretty piss poor effort by Cappy not to get Willison to sign, needs to put on his thinking cap and give his little bald head a wobble.

 

[Noitall]

Albert-Jones signed for NRLW

Premiership winner Laishon Albert-Jones newest signing for Warriors' return to NRLW in 2025.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Well, No Portia Woodman. She is off to Japan. Which is a shame!

 

[Kav1]

Well, No Portia Woodman. She is off to Japan. Which is a shame!

Hopefully she will see the error of her ways. The NRLW is becoming an exciting competition with a good number of cross code players coming across for good contracts and better opportunities

 

[Billyspleen75]

Well, No Portia Woodman. She is off to Japan. Which is a shame!

Japan's season finishes in February so not impossible

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Japan's season finishes in February so not impossible

Possibly, She also has offers from USA 7s as well. We'll see.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Three more NRLW signings

One New Zealand Warriors confirm three more players secured for return to NRLW in 2025.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Black Ferns star Baker signed​

Black Ferns star Shakira Baker is one of two rugby union players signed by the One New Zealand Warriors for the club’s NRLW comeback next season.

And, as well as the much-decorated Baker (32), the Warriors have secured exciting 18-year-old Bay of Plenty rugby union product Tyra Wetere.

Baker, used at wing, centre and fullback in union, has been signed for 2025 and 2026 with a club option for 2027 while fullback-halfback Wetere has been locked in for 2025 and 2026.

With the pair added to the 2025 squad, the Warriors now have 10 players confirmed so far. Others secured are fullback Apii Nicholls, props Mya Hill-Moana and Harata Butler, hooker Capri Paekau, second rower Laishon Albert-Jones, outside backs Emmanita Paki and Lavinia Tauhalaliku and prop-second rower Matekino Gray.

The Masterton-born Baker boasts an exceptional rugby union career as a 13-Test Black Fern in the 15s game and a 12-season Black Ferns sevens veteran.

Having been a representative in both sevens and 15s, Shakira will be a fantastic addition to the Warriors
Ronald GriffithsOne New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach

Since breaking into provincial rugby union as a 16-year-old with Wellington in 2009, she has gone on to capture gold medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco while she was also a silver medallist with the Black Ferns at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach Ronald Griffiths hailed Baker’s signing as the club builds towards returning to the competition in 2025.

“Having been a representative in both sevens and 15s, Shakira will be a fantastic addition to the Warriors,” he said.

Watching Tyra’s highlights we were immediately captivated
Ronald GriffithsOne New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach

“She’s a powerful ball runner with the ability to play a multitude of positions.

“Shakira’s deep-seated determination to make a successful transition was evident when we spoke. We are extremely excited to welcome Shakira to the Warriors’ whānau.”

Playing out of the Eketahuna club, Baker comes from a strong rugby union background. She’s related to former Māori All Blacks and Wairarapa Bush representatives Carlos Baker and Charlie Kaka as well as All Blacks Sevens star Gillies Baker.

Taupō-born teenager Wetere lived in Sydney until she was seven before moving to Bay of Plenty where she later attended Mount Maunganui College.

Griffiths said he’s excited about the skills she will bring to the squad.

“Watching Tyra’s highlights we were immediately captivated,” he said.

“She’s a balanced runner who is dynamic and has an advanced skillset.

“After our initial discussions we knew that we wanted Tyra at the Warriors. It was evident she is humble, of great character and values hard work.

We are looking forward to helping Tyra realise her potential.”

Wetere has forged a rugby union career at age group level for Bay of Plenty while she has also represented the province in rugby league. Last year she was named the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s under-18 player of the year and also won the Bay of Plenty Rugby League’s under-18 back of the year honour.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Black Ferns star Baker signed​

Black Ferns star Shakira Baker is one of two rugby union players signed by the One New Zealand Warriors for the club’s NRLW comeback next season.

And, as well as the much-decorated Baker (32), the Warriors have secured exciting 18-year-old Bay of Plenty rugby union product Tyra Wetere.

Baker, used at wing, centre and fullback in union, has been signed for 2025 and 2026 with a club option for 2027 while fullback-halfback Wetere has been locked in for 2025 and 2026.

With the pair added to the 2025 squad, the Warriors now have 10 players confirmed so far. Others secured are fullback Apii Nicholls, props Mya Hill-Moana and Harata Butler, hooker Capri Paekau, second rower Laishon Albert-Jones, outside backs Emmanita Paki and Lavinia Tauhalaliku and prop-second rower Matekino Gray.

The Masterton-born Baker boasts an exceptional rugby union career as a 13-Test Black Fern in the 15s game and a 12-season Black Ferns sevens veteran.


Since breaking into provincial rugby union as a 16-year-old with Wellington in 2009, she has gone on to capture gold medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco while she was also a silver medallist with the Black Ferns at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach Ronald Griffiths hailed Baker’s signing as the club builds towards returning to the competition in 2025.

“Having been a representative in both sevens and 15s, Shakira will be a fantastic addition to the Warriors,” he said.



“She’s a powerful ball runner with the ability to play a multitude of positions.

“Shakira’s deep-seated determination to make a successful transition was evident when we spoke. We are extremely excited to welcome Shakira to the Warriors’ whānau.”

Playing out of the Eketahuna club, Baker comes from a strong rugby union background. She’s related to former Māori All Blacks and Wairarapa Bush representatives Carlos Baker and Charlie Kaka as well as All Blacks Sevens star Gillies Baker.

Taupō-born teenager Wetere lived in Sydney until she was seven before moving to Bay of Plenty where she later attended Mount Maunganui College.

Griffiths said he’s excited about the skills she will bring to the squad.

“Watching Tyra’s highlights we were immediately captivated,” he said.

“She’s a balanced runner who is dynamic and has an advanced skillset.

“After our initial discussions we knew that we wanted Tyra at the Warriors. It was evident she is humble, of great character and values hard work.

We are looking forward to helping Tyra realise her potential.”

Wetere has forged a rugby union career at age group level for Bay of Plenty while she has also represented the province in rugby league. Last year she was named the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s under-18 player of the year and also won the Bay of Plenty Rugby League’s under-18 back of the year honour.

Good signing. Getting on a bit @32 years old. Power winger with good speed.