The One New Zealand Warriors and South Sydney Rabbitohs have joined forces in a landmark NRLW pathways partnership starting next season.
Under the agreement players not selected in the Warriors’ NRLW side each week will be able to play for South Sydney in the Harvey Norman NSW women’s premiership which runs alongside the NRLW competition.
At the same time South Sydney-contracted players will have the opportunity to join the Warriors on a train and trial basis providing a direct pathway to an NRLW career with One New Zealand Warriors.
“It’s a fantastic outcome for the Rabbitohs and for us, a huge boost for the women’s programmes at both clubs,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“We’ve been looking for ways to improve our women’s pathways and this is ideal. It will be a huge help for Ron (NRLW head coach Ron Griffiths, his football staff and the squad.
“It’s also tremendous to see two clubs working together like this for the mutual benefit of both organisations.
“We’re so grateful to (CEO) Blake (Solly) and the Rabbitohs for their support and look forward to building our relationship.”
Unlike the other 11 clubs in the NRLW, the One New Zealand Warriors haven’t previously benefited from the strong competition provided by having a feeder club or team in the Harvey Norman NSW premiership or the BMD premiership in Queensland.
“We have been talking with Cameron about this opportunity for a few months and I’m delighted that we have been able to forge this partnership,” he said.
“It will strengthen our playing squad and will provide the Warriors with an option for their non-playing NRLW players each week throughout the season.
“This will help us with recruitment and retention as players contracted to South Sydney will have a clear pathway to the NRLW through the partnership with the Warriors, something our players have not had in the past.
“We thank the Warriors for their partnership and we look forward to success at both the NSWRL and NRLW levels for both clubs this season and beyond.”
The One New Zealand Warriors begin their 2026 preseason in May leading into their season-opening clash against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at FMG Stadium Waikato on Sunday, July 5.
Their squad has been significantly bolstered with the acquisition of New Zealanders Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga and Annetta Nuuausala from the premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos side while Black Ferns rugby union superstar Stacey Waaka – who played for the Broncos in 2024 – has also been signed.
The draw for the 2026 Harvey Norman NSW premiership is yet to be released.
