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NRLW at ‘crossroads’ as Warriors’ rebuild gets underway
Sport Nation • October 6th, 2026 11:26 am
Jay Huriwai scores for the Warriors | Photo:
The Warriors have identified the player quality and leadership they need as they reshape their NRLW squad following a frustrating season that ended without a finals appearance in their second year back in the competition.
The club has confirmed that Harata Butler, Jay Huriwai, Patricia Maliepo, Capri Paekau, Laishon Albert-Jones, Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Anastasia Sekene, Felia Kia, Natalia Hickling and Metanoia Fetalaiga will depart.
Meanwhile, captain Apii Nicholls, Payton Takimoana, Emmanita Paki, Matekino Gray and Shakira Baker are also not contracted beyond 2026, leaving the team with just 10 players (excluding development) for 2027.
Chief executive Cameron George has said a re-build is underway, as Ron Griffiths has established what sort of players he is looking for after his second season at the helm.
“We know what we want player-wise. We know the quality of player we need. We know the leadership we need in that area,” George told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
Wahine Warriors | Photo: Dj Mills/AAP
However he pointed to the challenge of building a competitive NRLW squad with the competition’s schedule and the differences between New Zealand and Australian development pathways.
“It’s a difficult competition, the NRLW space, because it's half and half. We don't see them now until May next year and there's a lot of time and footy that happens between now and then.
“The competition structure here in New Zealand around elite women's pathway is challenging because in Australia, as you see, they play three State of Origins before they even kick off the competition.
“We don't have that here, so it's hard going, but I think now Ron's got his feet right under the table.”
The Warriors have partnered with South Sydney’s domestic competitions (second grade equivalent) and are flying players to Australia as part of their efforts to strengthen the player pool.
“We've done sort of unique things like done partnerships with South Sydney with their domestic competitions. So we're flying players over there, investing heavily in it.
"Have we got it right yet? No, but are we committed to it? Absolutely.”
George however said strengthening local pathways would take time, while also suggesting the NRLW competition needed to consider its future direction.
“I feel like the NRLW is at the crossroads as a competition,” he explained.
“We're really starting to get into the development of pathways in that space and it's gonna take a few years to happen.
“Like domestically in the men's comp, we've got to get the structures and the domestic development pathway competitions, elite competitions, better and much stronger because they just don't compare to what's available in Queensland and New South Wales."
Listen to the full interview below:
