Maarire Puketapu

Maarire Puketapu was one of six signings announced on the same day just before Christmas last year.

Secured for this season with an option for 2026, the 22-year-old Lower Hutt-born and raised Puketapu brings rugby league experience on both sides of the Tasman spending time with the Central Queensland Capras and the Sunshine Coast Falcons. She is also a former national softball representative.

Head coach Ron Griffiths on her signing: "Having played softball for New Zealand, Maarire understands the mentality of a high-performance athlete.

“She moved to Queensland to further her rugby league career and push for an NRLW opportunity, ultimately being rewarded for her efforts.

“Maarire is a proud Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Ruapani and Ngāti Kahu woman with a strong connection to her culture. We look forward to harnessing that to help with the foundation of our NRLW programme.”

Puketapu reacted to her signing by saying: “Growing up as kids in Waiwhetū we had two options - rugby league or softball. Mum wasn’t too keen on me playing rugby league so softball it was.

“I was lucky enough to be mentored by some legends of the game including my aunty Zavana Aranga, a former Kiwi Fern and New Zealand softball representative. Through softball I played club, reps and for New Zealand alongside my cousins and friends.

“When I turned 18, I decided to give both rugby union and rugby league a crack in the women’s grade and, from there, the opportunities in league started to come about.

“In 2021, I went to Queensland for a holiday and my cousin was playing for his local club side the Kawana Dolphins so I asked if they had a women’s team I could play for while I was there. That weekend I played for them and had a good game, so the coach asked me if I would move over. I came home for a week, got sorted and headed straight back.

“I grew up on a papakāinga with my whānau so this was a very big move for me to be on my own. We then went on to have a very successful year and I guess that’s where my love for league initially started to kick in.

“After that, I got an opportunity with the Central Queensland Capras and played a few games in the BMD premiership but I got quite a bad concussion a few games in so that ended my season.

“Not long after that my koro passed away. It was a tough time for me and my whānau, so I headed home for seven months. At the time, our local club Te Aroha was re-entering the women’s competition after years of not being in, so I was able to play the season then play reps for Wellington.

“During the rep campaign, I was going back and forth to Australia and playing for Kawana as well. That was a pretty crazy time. I would fly over to play on a Saturday then jump on a plane Sunday morning and make it back just in time to suit up for Wellington in the afternoon.

“People would tell me that I could actually make a good go of it in league, but I didn’t really believe that I could. I was still very new to the game and I had heaps to learn – and still do.

“About October last year, the Sunshine Coast Falcons offered me a spot in there BMD side for 2024. At that point, I felt ready to head back to Australia and give things another shot. This year has been a big one for me, I’ve mentally and physically locked in, and my passion for the game just continues to get stronger.

“When conversations with Ronnie started a little while back, I didn’t really know how to take it or if anything would come of it. He wanted to learn more about me, my background and footy experience.

“After some time, I got the big phone call, and I was just in shock. I hung up and screamed: ‘F**k I’m gonna be a Warrior!’ But I was at work, so I had to tone it down real quick. Straight after work, I called my whānau group chat which usually only my mum answers, but weirdly enough Mum, Dad and siblings picked up, so I was able to share the news with them all together.

“I can’t really explain my excitement. I’m excited for the opportunity, I’m excited about going back to New Zealand, I’m excited about being around my culture again but I’m also still quite overwhelmed.

"I’m looking forward to arriving at the Warriors and giving them the best version of me that I possibly can and to inspire future wāhine Māori to find passion in this game too. I want to make sure that I put in the work and repay Ronnie and the club for this huge opportunity. I am truly grateful.”