'Not an easy fix': Warriors women juggling NRLW, work and family

Coach Ron Griffiths has explained why rugby league sometimes has to take a backseat for the Warriors’ NRLW players.

The Kiwi side are looking to continue their hot start to their second season after thrashing the Bulldogs 32-10 in Hamilton, running in seven tries.

However, women’s rugby league is not yet fully professional. Most players work one or two other jobs, and many care for families, too.

As a coach, Griffiths told The Big League Podcast he has to be mindful of their work, life and family balance.

“We’ve got schoolteachers, we’ve got police officers. Some of them would have played in Hamilton then got up and gone to work. Being able to manage and juggle all that, it’s not an easy fix.

“Some of our players, like Harata Butler, she’s working at the moment. She’s got her family who’s in Hamilton, she’s living in Auckland while she’s training and going back down to Hamilton on her days off.

Most Warriors NRLW players juggle one to two other jobs. Photo / Photosport

“It’s a real fine balance and at some point, it’ll feel like they’re on the hamster wheel or they’re creaking. Our job is to have flexibility and make sure we manage those moments for them.”

The Warriors women have gained a wealth of experience since last season. The trio of 2025 champion Broncos Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga, and Annetta Nu’uausala have joined alongside Black Ferns Sevens rep Stacey Waaka and former Wallaroo Jasmin Huriwai.

Griffiths said each of them is unique.

“They’ve certainly fitted into the culture we’ve got here and help evolve and grow it. Just from a leadership perspective, I think it helps out right across the board. Not that they need to be the loudest voice in the room because they certainly aren’t, but they certainly help our leadership. We had a lot of young players last year, so they lead by their actions.”

Waaka has been named to make her club debut on the wing for the Warriors in Sunday’s away fixture against the Raiders. She replaces Payton Takimoana who suffered a shoulder injury just before halftime against the Bulldogs.

Waaka – who made six appearances for the Broncos in 2024 – was named in the reserves for the Warriors’ opener but didn’t play, as she returns from a head injury suffered in New Zealand’s World Sevens Series event in Bordeaux, France.

Griffiths believes the Warriors women as an organisation has progressed greatly since the NRLW debut last year.

“So it might be 12% in playing roster, 25% in front of house. I just think as a collective right across the board, understanding of the game, where we are in terms of fitness and skill, the whole programme as a collective is 30% better than where we were last year.”

Griffiths said investment in the NRLW is gradually increasing.

“They’ve introduced two supplementary players this year, which is above and beyond what they had. Further to that, I know the club is certainly increasing their backing. Whatever we’ve asked for to make the programme a success, the club are invested in it.

Griffiths is applauding Warriors chief executive Cameron George’s attitude to the women’s team.

“Since I’ve been here, one thing the CEO always says is, ‘our job is to win premierships. We’ll help you do that. What do you need to make it happen?’ Whatever you’ve asked for within reason, we’ve always nailed it. It’s really good from that perspective.”

Griffiths believes they have the roster to win the NRLW title this year.

“I’m under no illusion there’s a lot of work to go in between now and then, and the players are the same. After the game, we spoke about how winning can mask deficiencies, but we understand it won’t mask any deficiencies because the players are invested and care about what they’re doing.

“They know their thread, they know what they’re working towards. So yeah, I’ve got no doubt that we can be there.”

Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.