A 22-strong squad Kiwi Ferns has been unveiled today to represent the Warriors in the inaugural NRL women's premiership next month.
Warriors 2018 NRL women's premiership team Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
With former Kiwi Fern Lorina Papali'i (41) signed, the Warriors create rugby league history with a mother and son representing one club at the same time.
Lorina's son Isaiah (19) has this year established himself as a first-choice second rower in his second season in the NRL.
Among the others confirmed at the club's headquarters are Kiwi Ferns captain Laura Mariu and another legendary international Sarina Clark (nee Fiso).
Mariu, who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday awards, had contemplated retirement after the 2017 World Cup but returned this season to help the Counties Manukau Stingrays to win the national final. She was also a key figure as the Manurewa Marlins beat the Richmond Roses in the Auckland women's grand final last Sunday.
Clark missed the World Cup last year to have her third child. She returned to the field recently and signed with the Warriors just this week.
"This is such an exciting day for our club and for rugby league in this country," said Warriors general manager football Brian Smith.
"We were thrilled to bring Luisa (Avaiki) on board as the first women's coach in the NRL and today we take another step forward with the announcement of our squad comprising solely New Zealand players."
"We have a group of talented players who are just so excited about being involved in this shot at history."
Avaiki is delighted with the 22 players the club has been able to sign.
"We have some legends of our game in the likes of Laura and Sarina who are backed up by some fantastic players," she said.
"This is a dream for all of us to be involved in the NRL women's premiership and we're all working hard to make the most of what is an amazing opportunity for rugby league."
Avaiki, appointed in last March, had an illustrious international playing career from 1995-2009. She captained the Kiwi Ferns to victory in two women's World Cup tournaments in 2003 and 2008 and was also in the winning side in the first World Cup in 2000.
The Warriors will play NRL women's premiership matches against Brisbane, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters during the NRL finals in September.
They'll warm up for the competition with a match against Auckland when the Warriors stage a double header in their Women in League game day at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday, August 10.
The women's game is scheduled to kick off at 6.05pm followed by the 22nd-round NRL clash between the Vodafone Warriors and the Newcastle Knights (8.00pm).
Warriors:
Raquel Anderson-Pitman, Sarina Clark, Lisa Edwards, Luisa Gago, Georgia Hale, Amber Kani, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Hilda Mariu, Laura Mariu, Va'anessa Molia-Fraser, Apii Nicholls, Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell, Annetta-Claudia-Nuuausala, Lorina Papali'i, Kahurangi Peters, Krystal Rota, Aieshaleigh Smalley, Masuisuimatamaalii Tauasa-Pauaraisa, Crystal Tamarua, Alice Vailua, Langi Veainu, Shontelle Woodman,
