As many as six players could make their club debuts in the One New Zealand Warriors’ season-opening NRLW encounter with the Bulldogs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Sunday (3.45pm kick-off).

Brisbane premiership winner Gayle Broughton has been named at standoff while former Roosters prop Mya Hill-Moana is the only other player in the starting lineup yet to appear for the club.

Included on the extended bench are four players yet to make their NRLW debuts in hooker-halfback Jay Huriwai, back rower Belle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, halfback Natalia Hickling and sevens rugby union superstar Stacey Waaka.

Also named in the front row is another Broncos premiership winner Annetta Nuuausala, the foundation Warrior who will be playing her first game for the club since 2019.

Centre Mele Hufanga, the third major signing from the champion 2026 Brisbane side, will have to wait to debut for the club. She’s sidelined with a hamstring injury which is expected to delay her campaign for four weeks.

The One New Zealand Warriors have also lost second rower Kaiyah Atai, last year’s players’ player of the year, who broke her thumb in last Sunday’s trial against the Broncos at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch; she had surgery today and will be out for four to six weeks.

Also picking up injuries in the hit-out were middle forward Matekino Gray (foot) and new signing Anastasia Sekene (ankle) while outside back Tyra Wetere is recovering from knee surgery.








Outstanding young prop Ivana Lauitiiti is unavailable for the opening match of the season as she serves a one-game suspension she picked up in the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championships final against the Jillaroos last November.

While the Warriors began last season with the majority of their squad having little or no experience in the NRLW, it’s notable that every player in the starting lineup this time has a solid background in the competition.

Last year the Warriors and the Bulldogs were the two new sides added to the competition.

The Warriors finished with a 4-7 record to narrowly miss the finals while the Bulldogs were just behind them on the ladder. When the two teams met in round six the Warriors prevailed 34-6.