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Live sport on SN this weekendGriffiths’ selection experiments nearing end as Warriors search for cohesion
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • August 7th, 2026 11:40 am
Lavinia Tauhalaliku celebrates scoring a try with Apii Nicholls and Stacey Waaka | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Warriors NRLW coach Ron Griffiths has spent the first half of the regular season searching for the perfect squad balance in his second season at the helm, with injuries, unavailability and experimentation enforcing repeated changes across key positions.
The Warriors’ narrow loss to the Titans at Magic Round last weekend exposed the cost of that chopping and changing, with Griffiths admitting a lack of continuity may have hurt the team in decisive moments.
“The spine had a fair bit of movement amongst it," Griffiths explained.
"They were together last week, but we had the week before, but we had Jay Huriwai as a nine and we had Gayle (Broughton) on the other side and Emmanita (Paki) on the left so a little bit of movement probably creates a lack of cohesion at times.”
Jay Huriwai on silencing self-doubt ahead of her first NRLW start | The Six Again Podcast
However he expects that to improve as combinations begin to stabilise.
“We're at the stage now where we start to settle into some rhythm and we'll see more continuity in terms of selection and cohesion and I think that'll become evident on game day when we're looking to ice those moments when it matters.”
While some of the changes were unavoidable early in the season, Griffiths conceded later selection calls were part of a broader search for the Warriors’ best attacking shape.
That experimenting has continued this week, with rugby sevens star Stacey Waaka named in the centres and Tysha Ikenasio shifting to the wing.
Stacey Waaka | Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport
Ikenasio had been utilised in the centres in all eight of her appearances last year and again through the opening five rounds this season, but her move to the edge is part of Griffiths’ plan to unlock more attacking threat across the backline.
The rest of the starting side remains unchanged for the clash against Newcastle, who moved to fourth on the NRLW ladder after a convincing 32-12 win over the Eels last Sunday. The Knights currently sit one spot ahead of the Warriors due to a higher points differential.
Griffiths said Waaka’s move from the wing into the centres was intended to get her more involved in dangerous attacking areas.
“We think we're getting close now and a perfect example for us is we've watched Stacey out of the backfield have 12 odd carries, something like that but we're probably blunting her the best part of a game and that's the attack. Being elusive, being fast, being powerful.
“So that's why we've moved to the centres, to give them more opportunity in the good part of the field.”
Mele Hufanga scored on NZ Warriors debut against the Gold Coast Titans at Magic Round | Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport
The reshuffle also sees changes for Payton Takimoana, who Griffiths believes can benefit from being paired with Mele Hufanga.
“I think naturally both Stacey and Payton are right-sided players. They're right-arm carry, that's just my observation as a coach, but last year Payton was the leading try scorer in our team and the Dally M winger of the year on the left side, so we thought having her alongside someone experienced like Mele might actually unlock her a little bit this weekend,” he explained.
“As we know, she's such a powerful ball carrier, Mele, she attracts a lot of defenders, so hopefully there's some space for Payton on the end of the line.
“And we just think Stacey in the centre is just an opportunity to get her one on one and create some space for her.”
After losing some confidence amongst injuries, Griffiths said Takimoana is right where she needs to be.
Payton Takimoana celebrates scoring a try | Photo: Bruce Lim/ Photosport
“We think the left side will be suitable for her moving forward and let her build some cohesion there with Mele too because I think it will be a great little pairing.”
Round one saw Mele Hufanga and Stacey Waaka on the sideline with injury, meaning Emmanita Paki played in the centres alongside Tysha Ikenasio with Lavinia Tauhalaliku and Payton Takimoana on the wings.
Gayle Broughton was named at five-eighth, Patricia Maliepo at halfback and Capri Paekau at hooker.
By game two, more changes were required. Broughton and Takimoana were also injured, and Tauhalaliku was unavailable. Development player Ocean Tierney moved to the left wing and Waaka returned on the right.
That opened the door for Paki to play five-eighth alongside Maliepo, while Shakira Baker shifted into the centres with Ikenasio.
The following week, Jay Huriwai was given her opportunity as starting hooker, holding the role for two games before also suffering a concussion. Maliepo has since filled the void, with Broughton and Paki combining in the halves.
Patricia Malieop | Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport
Griffiths believes the constant movement has been a challenge but also a necessary step in working out exactly what the team can become, and with the regular season moving into its second half, he feels the Warriors are close to landing on the combinations that can carry them forward.
“We feel like we're pretty close to where we need to be and now it's about players making sure that they leave the best performance out there, understanding that there's players that are behind them that can do a great job and nothing can be taken for granted with this team moving forward.
“If you're there one week, doesn't mean that you will be the next week, but keep leaving the performance out there or a great performance out there and pick yourself each week.”
Ron Griffiths on turning Black Ferns Sevens stars into NRLW weapons | The Six Again Podcast
