Shakira Baker

The much-decorated Shakira Baker was secured last September on a two-year contract with a club option for 2027.

Used at wing, centre and fullback in rugby union, the Masterton-born Baker boasts an exceptional rugby union career as a 13-Test Black Fern in the 15s game and a 12-season Black Ferns sevens veteran.

Since breaking into provincial rugby union as a 16-year-old with Wellington in 2009, she has gone on to capture gold medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco while she was also a silver medallist with the Black Ferns at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

Playing out of the Eketahuna club, Baker comes from a strong rugby union background. She’s related to former Māori All Blacks and Wairarapa Bush representatives Carlos Baker and Charlie Kaka as well as All Blacks Sevens star Gillies Baker.

At the time of Baker's signing, One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach Ronald Griffiths said: “Having been a representative in both sevens and 15s, Shakira will be a fantastic addition to the Warriors.

“She’s a powerful ball runner with the ability to play a multitude of positions.

“Shakira’s deep-seated determination to make a successful transition was evident when we spoke. We are extremely excited to welcome Shakira to the Warriors’ whānau.”

On signing with the Warriors, Baker said; “Witnessing the growth of women’s rugby league and the development of the NRLW fuelled my desire to want to put my hand up, especially as I watched my friends successfully cross-coding from union to league. So, when I received a call from Ronald, I was over the moon.

“Ronald’s first question to me was: ‘Why do I want to play league?’ And I was honest with my answer.

“Sport is my passion and I want to do it for as long as I can. I’m thrilled by the challenges rugby league presents, the chance to remain in a high-performance environment and understand the commitment and hard work it takes to be the best.

“Everything I had heard about Ronald's coaching success was confirmed in our conversations; his vision and the culture he aims to cultivate at the One New Zealand Warriors is truly inspiring and I’m grateful to get the opportunity to be a part of it all.”