The New Zealand Warriors Women are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the National Rugby League Women's (NRLW) premiership. They are coached by Ronald Griffiths. As with the men's team, the Warriors women are based at Mount Smart Stadium in the Auckland suburb of Penrose. The Warriors women's team previously competed in the NRLW for three seasons: 2018, 2019, and 2020.
History In December 2017, the New Zealand Warriors expressed their interest in applying for a licence to participate in the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership. In March 2018, they were awarded one of four licences for the league's inaugural season, to commence in September of the same year. Luisa Avaiki was named the coach of the side.
The team competed in, and finished 3rd place in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the latter of which included the first ever standalone NRLW match held at Mount Smart Stadium.
The team was impacted in 2020 by travel restrictions imposed to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Five New Zealand based players from the previous season elected to go through three weeks of quarantine isolation on arrival in Australia to prepare for the 2020 NRLW season. The remainder of the Warriors squad consisted of Australian based players. The team was coached by Jillaroos coach, Brad Donald. The side came in third place (from four) for the third consecutive year.
In June 2021, CEO Cameron George announced the team would not compete in the 2021 competition but plan to re-enter the competition in 2022. This did not eventuate, however, with the NRL announcing NRLW expansion to 10 teams for the 2023 season that did not include the Warriors.
In August 2022, during a members-only meeting with CEO Cameron George, Owner Mark Robinson, Coach Stacey Jones, and Captain Tohu Harris. It was announced their intention to re-enter the competition for the 2025 season. On March 28 2024, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo announced the Warriors would rejoin the NRLW, along with a Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs team, in an expanded 12-team competition from 2025.
In December 2025, the Warriors announced a pathways partnership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2026 NRLW season. Under the agreement, Warriors contracted players not required for the NRLW team on a particular weekend will be available to play for the Rabbitohs in the NSWRL Women's Premiership. South Sydney contracted players will have the opportunity to trial for the Warriors and to be brought into the squad and NRLW team as injury replacements.
Coaches On 1 July 2024, the club announced the appointment of Ronald Griffiths as head coach of their NRLW team, for their return to the competition in 2025. Griffiths was appointed on a three-year deal.
Coach Season span Win % Share % Luisa Avaiki 20182019 6 3 0 3 56 104 50.00% 35.00% Brad Donald 2020 3 1 0 2 48 60 33.33% 44.44% Ronald Griffiths 2025present 22 8 0 14 434 508 36.36% 46.07%
Captains All players who have captained the New Zealand Warriors Women's team in NRLW matches.
Name Years as Captain Debut Games as Captain Games for Club Date Round Solo Joint Total 1 Laura Mariu 2018 8 Sep 2018 1 3 0 3 3 2 Georgia Hale 20192020 14 Sep 2019 1 6 0 6 9 3 Apii Nicholls 2025present 6 Jul 2025 1 18 0 18 24 4 Harata Butler 2025 16 Aug 2025 7 1 0 1 22 5 Kaiyah Atai 2026 23 Aug 2026 8 3 0 3 19
Players
2027 gains and losses
Off contract after 2027
Seasons SeasonRegular seasonFinalsNinesPWDLFAPtsPosTopPlacing20183102265823rd220193201304643rd220203102486023rd24th20251140719419888th620261140724031087th6
2026 draw The draw for the 2026 season was announced on 14 November 2025.
Round Opponent Score Date Time Venue 1 Bulldogs Sun 5 Jul 2026 1:45 PM Home FMG Stadium Waikato 2 Raiders Sun 12 Jul 2026 12.00 PM Away GIO Stadium 3 Cowboys Sat 18 Jul 2026 3:15 PM Home Go Media Stadium 4 Eels Sun 26 Jul 2026 12:00 PM Away Eric Tweedale Stadium 5 Titans Sun 2 Aug 2026 1:45 PM Neutral Geohex Stadium, Wagga Wagga 6 Knights Sat 8 Aug 2026 5:15 PM Home FMG Stadium Waikato 7 Tigers Sun 16 Aug 2026 1:45 PM Away CommBank Stadium 8 Roosters Sun 23 Aug 2026 1:45 PM Away Allianz Stadium 9 Dragons Sun 30 Aug 2026 11:50 AM Home Go Media Stadium 10 Sharks Sat 5 Sep 2026 12:45 PM Home Go Media Stadium 11 Broncos Sun 13 Sep 2026 12:00 PM Away Totally Workwear Stadium
Individual awards The New Zealand Warriors player of the year and other club award winners between 2018 and 2020, and since 2025.
Year Player of the Year Player's Player Members' Award Rookie Clubwomen 2018 No awards presented 2019 2020 Stephanie Ball Micheala Peck 2025 Apii Nicholls Kaiyah Atai Payton Takimoana Ivana Lauitiiti Tysha Ikenasio 2026 Kaiyah Atai Stacey Waaka Stacey Waaka Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa Harata Butler
Club records
Win-loss record since entering the NRLW in 2018. The team went into hiatus in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The hiatus continued through to 2024.
Games Wins Drawn Loss Points for Points against +/- Win % 31 12 0 19 544 672 128 38.71%
Head-to-head records
Opponent First meeting Win % Share Roosters 8 Sep 2018 5 2 0 3 52 134 40.00% 27.96% Dragons 15 Sep 2018 5 1 0 4 74 106 20.00% 41.11% Broncos 21 Sep 2018 5 1 0 4 58 146 20.00% 28.43% Eels 13 Jul 2025 2 2 0 0 28 12 100.00% 70.00% Knights 20 Jul 2025 2 1 0 1 42 50 50.00% 45.65% Titans 26 Jul 2025 2 0 0 2 26 38 0.00% 40.63% Cowboys 3 Aug 2025 2 2 0 0 54 10 100.00% 84.38% Bulldogs 9 Aug 2025 2 2 0 0 66 16 100.00% 80.49% Raiders 16 Aug 2025 2 0 0 2 32 62 0.00% 34.04% Sharks 24 Aug 2025 2 0 0 2 46 62 0.00% 42.59% Tigers 14 Sep 2025 2 1 0 1 66 36 50.00% 64.71% Totals 4 Jul 2025 31 12 0 19 544 672 38.71% 44.74% Notes Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against. Clubs listed in the order than the Dragons Women first played them.
Player records Lists and tables last updated: 15 September 2026. Career records (at the Warriors)
Most games for the Warriors Qualification: 12 games
Rank Player Games 1 2018–19, 2025– 24 2 2025– 22 3 2025– 20 4 2025– 19 4 2025– 19 4 2025– 19 4 2025– 19 4 2025– 19 9 2025– 18 9 2025– 18 11 2025– 15 12 2025– 14 13 2018–19, 2026– 13 13 2025– 13
Most points for the Warriors Qualification: 12 points
Rank Player 2026 club Points 1 20 7 30 0 88 2 19 18 0 0 72 3 7 10 0 0 40 3 18 10 0 0 40 5 10 9 0 0 36 6 24 2 13 0 34 7 6 5 0 0 20 8 13 4 0 0 16 8 7 4 0 0 16 10 10 2 3 0 14 11 3 3 0 0 12 11 3 1 4 0 12 11 19 3 0 0 12 11 9 3 0 0 12 11 3 3 0 0 12
Most tries for the Warriors Qualification: 3 tries
Rank Player Tries 1 18 2 10 2 10 4 9 5 7 6 5 7 4 7 4 9 3 9 3 9 3 9 3
Most goals for the Warriors All goal kickers
Rank Player Goals 1 30 2 13 3 4 4 3
Most field goals for the Warriors No instances to date
Season records Season length has increased over time as the competition has expanded.
Most points in a season for the Warriors Qualification: 12 points
Rank Player Season Points 1 2025 11 15 0 0 60 2 2025 9 4 17 0 50 3 2026 11 3 13 0 38 4 2026 4 9 0 0 36 4 2026 10 9 0 0 36 6 2026 10 8 0 0 32 7 2025 6 5 0 0 20 8 2025 10 1 6 0 16 8 2026 7 4 0 0 16 10 2026 10 2 3 0 14 11 2020 3 1 4 0 12 11 2020 3 3 0 0 12 11 2026 8 3 0 0 12 11 2026 8 3 0 0 12 11 2026 3 3 0 0 12
Most tries in a season for the Warriors Qualification: 3 tries
Rank Player Season Tries 1 2025 11 15 2 2026 4 9 2 2026 10 9 4 2026 10 8 5 2025 6 5 6 2025 9 4 6 2026 7 4 8 2020 3 3 8 2026 9 3 8 2026 11 3 8 2026 8 3 8 2026 8 3 8 2026 3 3
Match records Most points in a game for the Warriors Qualification: 12 points
Rank Player Date Opponent Venue Points 1 Patricia Maliepo 9 Aug 2025 Bulldogs Accor Stadium 2 5 0 18 2 Apii Nicholls 14 Sep 2025 Tigers Campbelltown Sports Stadium 1 6 0 16 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku 18 Jul 2026 Cowboys Go Media Stadium 4 0 0 16 4 Payton Takimoana 20 Jul 2025 Knights McDonald Jones Stadium 3 0 0 12 4 Payton Takimoana 16 Aug 2025 Raiders FMG Stadium Waikato 3 0 0 12 4 Tysha Ikenasio 8 Aug 2026 Knights FMG Stadium Waikato 3 0 0 12
Most tries in a game for the Warriors Qualification: 2 tries
Rank Player Date Opponent Venue Tries 1 Lavinia Tauhalaliku 18 Jul 2026 Cowboys Go Media Stadium 4 2 Payton Takimoana 20 Jul 2025 Knights McDonald Jones Stadium 3 3 Payton Takimoana 16 Aug 2025 Raiders FMG Stadium Waikato 3 3 Tysha Ikenasio 8 Aug 2026 Knights FMG Stadium Waikato 3 5 Shaniah Power 17 Oct 2020 Dragons ANZ Stadium 2 5 Patricia Maliepo 9 Aug 2025 Bulldogs Accor Stadium 2 5 Tyra Watere 9 Aug 2025 Bulldogs Accor Stadium 2 5 Tyra Watere 24 Aug 2025 Sharks FMG Stadium Waikato 2 5 Payton Takimoana 30 Aug 2025 Dragons Jubilee Stadium 2 5 Laishon Albert-Jones 14 Sep 2025 Tigers Campbelltown Sports Stadium 2 5 Payton Takimoana 14 Sep 2025 Tigers Campbelltown Sports Stadium 2 5 Emmanita Paki 5 Jul 2025 Bulldogs FMG Stadium Waikato 2 5 Lavinia Tauhalaliku 5 Jul 2025 Bulldogs FMG Stadium Waikato 2 5 Stacey Waaka 18 Jul 2026 Cowboys Go Media Stadium 2 5 Tysha Ikenasio 16 Aug 2026 Tigers CommBank Stadium 2 5 Lavinia Tauhalaliku 30 Aug 2026 Dragons Go Media Stadium 2 5 Payton Takimoana 5 Sep 2026 Sharks Go Media Stadium 2
Most goals in a game for the Warriors Qualification: 3 goals
Rank Player Date Opponent Venue Goals 1 Apii Nicholls 14 Sep 2025 Bulldogs Campbelltown Sports Stadium 6 2 Patricia Maliepo 9 Aug 2025 Bulldogs Accor Stadium 5 3 Patricia Maliepo 30 Aug 2025 Dragons Jubilee Stadium 3 3 Patricia Maliepo 18 Jul 2026 Cowboys Go Media Stadium 3
Oldest and youngest players The oldest and youngest players to represent the New Zealand Warriors women in the NRLW.
Name Age Year41 and 248 days201818 and 289 days2025
First try and last try Player who scored the first try and most recent try for the Warriors.
Name Year Round Minute Opponent 2018 1 8' Roosters 2026 11 64' Broncos
Margins and streaks Biggest winning margins Qualification: 10 point margin
Margin Score Opponent Venue Date Round 38 446 Tigers Campbelltown Stadium 14 Sep 2025 11 38 424 Cowboys Go Media Stadium 18 Jul 2026 3 28 346 Bulldogs Accor Stadium 9 Aug 2025 6 22 3210 Bulldogs FMG Stadium Waikato 5 Jul 2026 1 14 140 Eels Go Media Stadium 13 Jul 2025 2 12 2210 Dragons ANZ Stadium 17 Oct 2020 3
Biggest losing margins Qualification: 10 point margin
Margin Score Opponent Venue Date Round 58 866 Roosters Allianz Stadium 23 Aug 2026 8 34 18 52 Broncos Totally Workwear Stadium 13 Sep 2026 11 26 1642 Raiders GIO Stadium 12 Jul 2026 2 24 630 Roosters Allianz Stadium 6 Jul 2025 1 22 1032 Broncos AAMI Park 21 Sep 2018 3 20 626 Dragons Mount Smart Stadium 22 Se 2019 2 20 626 Broncos FMG Stadium Waikato 7 Sep 2025 10 16 2036 Knights McDonald Jones Stadium 20 Jul 2025 3 14 1428 Broncos GIO Stadium 3 Oct 2020 1 12 1022 Dragons ANZ Stadium 15 Sep 2018 2 10 1222 Roosters Bankwest Stadium 10 Oct 2020 2 10 1020 Titans Go Media Stadium 26 Jul 2025 4
Most consecutive wins 2 (3 August 2025 9 August 2025) 2 (14 September 2025 and 5 July 2026) 2 (18 July 2026 26 July 2026)
Most consecutive losses 5 (16 August 2026 to 13 September 2026) (current) 2 (15 September 2018 21 September 2018) 2 (3 October 2020 10 October 2020) 2 (20 July 2025 26 July 2025) Biggest comeback Recovered from 6 point deficit to win. Trailed Sydney Roosters 0-6 after 26 minutes at AAMI Park on September 14, 2019 and won 16-12.
Worst collapse Surrendered 10 point lead. Led Sharks 26-16 after 41 minutes at Go Media Stadium on September 5, 2026 and lost 32-40.
Inaugural team First match and first win
Result Score Opponent Venue Date Sydney Roosters ANZ Stadium 8 Sep 2018
First team The first New Zealand Warriors team played the Sydney Roosters on 8 September 2018 at ANZ Stadium. The Warriors won the match 10-4.