Exciting One New Zealand Warriors rookie Patricia Maliepo has become the fifth player from the club’s 2025 roster to extend her contract to the 2026 NRLW season and possibly beyond.
Originally contracted for only this year, the 22-year-old former Black Fern has been signed for next season with an option for 2027.
Her retention follows contract extensions for four fellow NRLW debutantes, all coming out of grass roots rugby league in New Zealand.
Second rower Kaiyah Atai was secured in mid-August while new deals have been announced over the past two days for props Ivana Lauitiiti and Metanoia Fotu-Moala plus back rower Maarire Puketapu.
Maliepo’s arrival on the NRLW scene has been one of the standout stories of the season with the rugby union convert impressing with her rapid transition to rugby league.
It resulted in her being named in the RLPA's Players' Dream Team – as voted by players across the competition – while she was one of three finalists for the Dally M Five Eighth of the Year (won by Gayle Broughton) and was also named alongside Tamika Upton, Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson and Olivia Kernick as a finalist for the prestigious Players’ Champion award (won by Upton).
“Patricia is a triple threat with her run pass and kick, equally adept and dangerous with all three,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Ron Griffiths.
“Just as impressive is her thirst for knowledge to understand the game of rugby league and the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the club.
“We are excited to have Patricia recommit to the Warriors.”
Maliepo announced her arrival on the NRLW stage as Warrior #55 when she scored the Warriors’ first try in their opening match of the season against the Sydney Roosters.
“I enjoyed my first year being a part of the NRLW so the thought of returning for another year was in the mix in the first few rounds,” she said.
“I’m happy where I’m at and I’m excited to see and be a part of the growth of this team.”
While concussion and injury kept her out of two games, Maliepo was exceptional in her nine appearances this season scoring four tries and kicking 17 goals for a total of 50 points. Averaging 86 running metres, 44 tackles and 137 kicking metres a game, she also had 32 tackle breaks.
Profile | Patricia Maliepo
Born: March 13, 2003
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior club: Marist, Auckland (rugby union)
Position: Standoff
Height: 175cm
Weight: 82kg
Rugby league career:
Warriors NRLW No: 55
NRLW debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, July 6 (Rd 1)
NRLW appearances: 9 (2025)
NRLW points: 50 (4 tries, 17 goals)
Rugby union career:
Farah Palmer Cup: Auckland Storm (2019-2023)
Appearances: 26
Points: 174 (11 tries, 49 conversions, 7 penalties)
Super Rugby Aupiki: Blues (2021-2025)
Appearances: 20
Points: 33 (5 tries, 4 conversions)
Honours:
International: Black Ferns (2021-2024)
Tests: 10
Points: 17 (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Representative: New Zealand Barbarians (2020)
Appearances: 2
Points: 12 (3 conversions, 2 penalties)
