Return of NZ Warriors women huge opportunity for Pacific athletes

The anticipated return of the NZ Warriors’ NRLW team is expected to give promising Pacific females athletes further career opportunities in a game they are increasingly flocking to.

The Auckland-based NRLW squad, which is returning to play in the professional Australasian rugby league competition from next year, has announced their first round of signees which includes Cook Islands fullback Apii Nicholls.

The Warriors also announced earlier this year that leading rugby league administrator Nadene Conlon had been appointed as its Academy Manager, a role focused on creating a development and pathways programme for the NRLW's 2025 return.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Conlon said they will "without a doubt" add more Pacific talent to their roster.

The latest signings include Queensland Origin representative Emmanita Paki, double international Lavinia Tauhalaliku and New Zealand-born Gold Coast Titans forward Matekino Gray.

"I think our Pasifika brothers and sisters are made for the game," Conlon said.

"[They are] absolutely dynamic athletes and rugby league is predominantly Māori and Pasifika.

"For us, it's something we can really celebrate in New Zealand - that we are so multicultural - and it gives us something else within the rugby league whānau and Kiwi way."

Watch the full interview via 531pi's FB below:

Conlon said incentivising players to join the New Zealand team has already fallen into place since many players overseas were hoping for both the return of the club’s NRLW side and also an opportunity to come home.

"They want to feel that New Zealand vibe, that Pacifica vibe and I think that's where we have something special," Conlon said.

Fullback Apii Nicholls shared that sentiment with Ernestina Bonsu Maro on PMN Cook Islands, saying she is excited to "come back home" and reconnect with the local clubs.

"We have so much talent back at home and I want them to have the same opportunities I had in Australia," Nicholls said.

"Hopefully one day we can take this to the Cook Islands as well."

Conlon reciprocated Nicholls' sentiment regarding local talent being in abundance, saying it is undeniable Aotearoa is "spoilt for choice" and that each generation is only getting better.

She added that the NZRL’s different district organisations have also taken great strides in generating more opportunities, especially in the women's space, and that it shows in the "massive growth in participation numbers over the last couple of years".

"I think you've almost had a little bit of the cream of the crop overseas in the senior women's but there are so many younger players coming through now.

"That will pay dividends as we go through and I think this wave of players coming through will probably overtake the ones now because they're getting a lot more time on the field, better coaching, there's more competition.

"I don't think anybody will deny that we have a multitude of talent across the country here."