Makayla Eli

Makayla Eli was secured on a two-year contract in late December last year.

Eli is a rugby union-rugby league double international. With club links to both codes in the Counties Manukau area, she has appeared at Test level for Samoa’s national women’s rugby union side Manusina and for Fetu Samoa in rugby league.

She has also played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the New South Wales women’s premiership.

Head coach Ron Griffiths said: “Makayla has played in many different representative teams, including Samoa in both codes and Aotearoa Māori.

“However, it was her trip to play with Manly in the 2024 Harvey Norman NSW premiership season that allowed us to see her play in strong competition in which she acquitted herself well.

“Blessed with a natural ability to read the game we are looking forward to working with Makayla to develop a strong mindset. We believe the mentality shift will see Makayla flourish at the One New Zealand Warriors.”

On her move to the Warriors, Eli said: “I noticed a missed call and a message left on my phone before training one day saying: ‘Hi this is Ron, Warriors NRLW coach.’ I was like: ‘What the? Is someone having me on?’

“I rang back and was hit with total shock and excitement once he introduced himself.
He asked me why I play, what I want out of footy. I told him I enjoy playing good footy, simple as that, and I want to keep doing it until I can’t.

“Obviously there are so many other amazing aspects that come with it such as the relationships and connections, the high performance environment, representing my whānau. But a key thing for me would be, if young girls from where I’m from see me excelling and doing it on a platform such as this, then I hope they feel motivated to know it’s a goal that’s reachable. Even better, to do it in our own backyard.

“So to be involved with the return of the Warriors is special. I’m looking forward to soaking up the experience and being around players who come from high performance backgrounds and learning as much as I can from them and the new environment I’m in.

“Ron has been clear and transparent with his vision for the team and expectations of me which I’m truly grateful for and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s evident he’s someone who is capable of aiding players to reach their full potential and building a team culture that goes beyond just players on a field. I’m honoured and so grateful to be a part of it.”