GWM Game Day Guide: NRLW season opener all set

After three bumper crowds at FMG Stadium Waikato last year, the One New Zealand Warriors are back in Hamilton to launch their 2026 NRLW season against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs on Sunday (3.45pm kick-off).

It’s a match-up between the two teams added to the expanded competition last season when the Warriors’ inexperienced squad had opportunities to make the finals.

Since then the club’s roster has been bolstered by the addition of three stars from the Brisbane Broncos’ 2025 premiership-winning side plus All Black Sevens great Stacey Waaka, who had a taste of the NRLW with the Broncos in 2024.

Gayle Broughton starts at standoff and returning foundation Warrior Annetta Nuuausala at prop but club debuts are on hold for centre Mele Hufanga and Waaka.

GWM Game Day Guide | NRLW Round 1

For three Waikato Warriors it’s a special homecoming, especially for prop Mya Hill-Moana who missed last season after giving birth to her son but will now run out for the club for the first time in her hometown with a large contingent of family and friends in the crowd.

She’ll join fellow Waikato products Harata Butler and Capri Paekau who both savoured the hometown playing experience last season.

Potential future NRLW Warriors will be on show in the early game when the Auckland Blaze and Counties Manukau Surge line up in a rematch of the Apii Nicholls Cup (under-19) pathways grand final earlier this season (when Auckland won 20-16).

That’s followed by another exciting instalment of Persil Junior Football.

Match day sponsor Harvey Norman will have a strong presence throughout the day with giveaways at the gates, fan activations and an opportunity to win an exclusive sideline seat upgrade.

In addition, some of the Warriors’ regular game day fan favourites will feature including the Anytime Fitness hanging bar challenge, Shapes mascots (giving away sample packs), One New Zealand flags, Maxigesic mini rugby balls and a merchandise stand filled with Warriors apparel.

At halftime fans will have the chance to become part of the entertainment in the Harvey Norman Speed Stacker Challenge. Participants will work in pairs to build the tallest tower of Harvey Norman appliance boxes, with the winning team taking home a $500 Harvey Norman gift voucher