NRLW Team List: Six newcomers for Warriors' season opener

NRLW Team List: Six newcomers for opener

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 30 Jun 2026, 04:00 PM

As many as six players could make their club debuts in the One New Zealand Warriors’ season-opening NRLW encounter with the Bulldogs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Sunday (3.45pm kick-off).

Brisbane premiership winner Gayle Broughton has been named at standoff while former Roosters prop Mya Hill-Moana is the only other player in the starting lineup yet to appear for the club.

Included on the extended bench are four players yet to make their NRLW debuts in hooker-halfback Jay Huriwai, back rower Belle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, halfback Natalia Hickling and sevens rugby union superstar Stacey Waaka.

Also named in the front row is another Broncos premiership winner Annetta Nuuausala, the foundation Warrior who will be playing her first game for the club since 2019.

Centre Mele Hufanga, the third major signing from the champion 2026 Brisbane side, will have to wait to debut for the club. She’s sidelined with a hamstring injury which is expected to delay her campaign for four weeks.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 5 Jul

3:45 am

Warriors

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Moana Courtenay
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Daynah Nankivell
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita Paki

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Monica Tagoai
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Elizabeth MacGregor
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Gayle Broughton

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia Maliepo

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri Paekau

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Ebony Prior
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis Tauaneai
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Maarire Puketapu

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Pauline Suli-Ruka
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tamika Jones
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Ashlee Matapo

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Leilani Wilson

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jasmin Huriwai

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Mary-Jane Taito
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Giovanna Suani
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Laishon Albert-Jones

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Hope Millard
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Christabelle Onesemo

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kalosipani Hopoate

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 18 Evelyn Roberts
Reserve for Warriors is number 19 Natalia Hickling

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Stacey Waaka

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Simina Lokotui
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Felila Kia

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Latisha Smythe
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Bridget Hoy

Match Officials

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 6/30/2026 6:26:12 AM

The One New Zealand Warriors have also lost second rower Kaiyah Atai, last year’s players’ player of the year, who broke her thumb in last Sunday’s trial against the Broncos at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch; she had surgery today and will be out for four to six weeks.

Also picking up injuries in the hit-out were middle forward Matekino Gray (foot) and new signing Anastasia Sekene (ankle) while outside back Tyra Wetere is recovering from knee surgery.

Outstanding young prop Ivana Lauitiiti is unavailable for the opening match of the season as she serves a one-game suspension she picked up in the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championships final against the Jillaroos last November.

While the Warriors began last season with the majority of their squad having little or no experience in the NRLW, it’s notable that every player in the starting lineup this time has a solid background in the competition.

Last year the Warriors and the Bulldogs were the two new sides added to the competition.

The Warriors finished with a 4-7 record to narrowly miss the finals while the Bulldogs were just behind them on the ladder. When the two teams met in round six the Warriors prevailed 34-6.