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Live sport on SN this weekendSevens rivalry adds extra spice to Warriors' NRLW clash with Roosters
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • August 22nd, 2026 6:00 am
The smiling assassin in action at Mount Smart | Photo: Joshua Devenie / www.photosport.nz
Sariah Paki and Stacey Waaka will carry one of rugby sevens' fiercest rivalries into the NRLW, when the Roosters meet the Warriors at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
The pair last faced each other in June in their respective sevens teams, but this time they will meet as NRLW opponents after making the switch from rugby union.
While co-hosting this week’s episode of Sport Nation's The Six Again Podcast, Waaka joked that Paki's table-topping Roosters had the advantage heading into the contest.
“You’ve got the upper hand on us right now," said Waaka. "You haven’t lost any games, we’ve lost three, so please take it easy this weekend.”
Sariah Paki | Photo: Iain McGregor/Photosport
Paki, who plays in the Roosters’ second row, knows she will have to be alert with Waaka lining up on the Warriors’ edge.
“Stacey’s on my side, so I’ve got to be real alert on her," Paki said. "I see she’s everywhere.”
The friendly rivalry is another example of the growing connection between codes, with a number of sevens players testing themselves in the NRLW.
“I find it awesome that a lot of us rugby union players have been transferring over to league,” Paki said.
“It’s refreshing, it’s a new game. Hopefully in the future we get some more converts coming over.”
It will be a chance for Waaka to face a second sevens rival this season in the NRLW after previously lining up against Titans half Teagan Levi.
“Obviously I’ve played against Teages, haven’t played against Maddi (Ashby) yet, but I’m looking forward to playing against you,” she told Paki.
Ron Griffiths on turning Black Ferns Sevens stars into NRLW weapons | The Six Again Podcast
However, the transition has not been without its challenges for the Australian sevens convert.
“The first three weeks was probably the hardest and scariest. The contact, oh my gosh, it’s so much more physical.”
She has also had to adjust to the finer details of league, including the 10-metre line, rolling the ball and retreating 10 metres after tackles.
“I’m still learning. There are so many things that I still need to get right,” Paki said.
“I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, okay, I didn’t know that.’”
Listen to the full podcast below:
