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Apii Nicholls Profile Image

Apii Nicholls

Fullback

Warriors

Player Bio

Height:
173 cm
Date of Birth:
26 February 1993
Weight:
78 kg
Birthplace:
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Age:
32
Nickname:
-
Debut Club:
New Zealand Warriors Women
Date:
08 September 2018
Opposition:
Sydney Roosters Women
Round:
1
Previous Clubs:
Gold Coast Titans Women, Canberra Raiders Women
Junior Club:
Ōtāhuhu Leopards
Biography:

Captain Apii Nicholls was the One New Zealand Warriors’ first signing for their return to the NRLW competition following a five-year absence.

Signed for 2025 and 2026, the accomplished 16-Test Kiwi Ferns fullback appeared in each of the Warriors’ six games in the NRLW’s first two seasons in 2018 and 2018.

Ranked one of the game’s outstanding fullbacks, Nicholls was a finalist for the women’s Golden Boot award in 2023 and was named in the team of the tournament at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom.

After missing the 2020 and 2021 seasons during the Covid outbreak, Nicholls resumed her NRLW career with the Gold Coast Titans in 2022 before linking with the Raiders in 2023.

She has made 28 NRLW appearances, the last 17 with the Raiders after five with the Titans.

The mother of two has represented the Kiwi Ferns at two Rugby League World Cups in 2017 and 2022, helped the Kiwi Ferns to the Rugby League World Cup 9s title in 2019 and had a key role in the 12-6 Pacific Championship win over the Jillaroos in Melbourne in 2023 which ended a seven-year drought.

On signing Nicholls, head coach Ron Griffiths said: “Apii was a crucial signing for us as she embodies the character of person we want at the Warriors.

“She’s a Warrior and when we met with her we made it clear that we wanted to bring her home.

“We have been calculated in the players we have targeted, people with the right character.

“It’s important that all have an understanding that there is a natural order of club, team and individual. Furthermore we will be invested in the community and immerse ourselves in and respect all cultural aspects of New Zealand.”

Nicholls said of her return to the Warriors: "The decision to come home ultimately came down to both footy and family and the support we have back home on and off the field.

“My chats with Ron were really positive too and I’m so excited to learn and develop my game under someone who has such a great reputation.

“The Raiders really welcomed me and I’m forever grateful for this opportunity but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t always want to get home, eventually.

“To pull that (Warriors) jersey on again, it’s going to be special.

“The Warriors is always where I wanted to end up, it’s home. And the opportunity to help grow and guide some of our awesome local talent is something that really excites me.”

Career

Appearances
31
Tries
1

2025 Season

Appearances
3

Scoring

Tries
0

Attack

Try Assists
3
Line Breaks
0
Tackle Breaks
9

Passing

Receipts
80

Defence

Tackles Made
28
Missed Tackles
4
Tackle Efficiency

Tackle Efficiency 87.5%

Running Metres

Average Running Metres
112
Total Running Metres
337

Fantasy

Total Points
87
Average Points
29

2025 Season - By Round

Round Opponent Score Position Minutes Played Tries Goals 1 Point Field Goals 2 Point Field Goals Points Try Assists Linebreaks Tackle Breaks Post Contact Metres Offloads Receipts Tackles Made Missed Tackles Total Running Metres Hit Up Running Metres Kick Return Metres
1 Roosters Lost 30 - 6 Fullback 70 - - - - - - - - 28 - 30 14 2 111 - 38
2 Eels Won 14 - 0 Fullback 70 - - - - - 1 - 6 27 1 24 10 2 141 - 40
3 Knights Lost 36 - 20 Fullback 70 - - - - - 2 - 3 27 1 26 4 - 83 - 14

Career By Season

Career By Season
Year Played Won Lost Drawn Win % Tries Goals 1 Point Field Goals 2 Point Field Goals Points Kicking Metres Kicking Metres Average Goal Conversion Rate Forced Drop Outs Try Assists Linebreaks Receipts Tackles Made Missed Tackles Tackle Efficiency Total Running Metres Average Running Metres Kick Return Metres Total Points Average Points
Warriors 2018 3 1 2 - 33% - 3 - - 6 79 26.23 50.00% - 1 1 54 22 9 70.97% 261 87.00 91 97 32.3
Warriors 2019 3 2 1 - 67% - 3 - - 6 139 46.43 60.00% - - - 39 23 5 82.14% 156 52.00 56 58 19.3
Titans 2022 5 1 4 - 20% - - - - - 66 13.14 - - - - 86 48 16 75.00% 438 87.00 164 75 15.0
Raiders 2023 8 5 3 - 62% - - - - - 144 18.03 - 1 4 2 213 47 16 74.60% 1,172 146.00 525 270 33.8
Raiders 2024 9 3 6 - 33% 1 - - - 4 74 8.28 - 2 4 1 261 68 15 81.93% 1,112 123.00 246 296 32.9
Warriors 2025 3 1 2 - 33% - - - - - - - - - 3 - 80 28 4 87.50% 337 112.00 93 87 29.0

Career Overall

Career Overall
Year Start Year End Played Won Lost Drawn Win % Tries Goals 1 Point Field Goals 2 Point Field Goals Points Kicking Metres Kicking Metres Average Goal Conversion Rate Forced Drop Outs Try Assists Linebreaks Receipts Tackles Made Missed Tackles Tackle Efficiency Total Running Metres Average Running Metres Kick Return Metres Total Points Average Points
Warriors
2018
2025
2019
2025
9 4 5 - 44% - 7 - - 14 218 24.22 58.33% - 4 1 172 73 18 80.22% 752 83.00 241 244 27.1
Titans 2022 2022 5 1 4 - 20% - - - - - 66 13.14 - - - - 86 48 16 75.00% 438 87.00 164 75 15.0
Raiders 2023 2024 17 8 9 - 47% 1 - - - 4 219 12.86 - 3 8 3 474 115 31 78.77% 2,284 134.00 771 566 33.3

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