Warriors ready to recruit
Any players looking to put their hand up for the Warriors women’s NRL squad, this is the weekend to make an impression.
New Zealand’s top female rugby league talent will descend on Cornwall Park in Auckland for the National Women’s Tournament, which doubles as the main recruitment event for Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki ahead of the inaugural NRL Women’s Premiership in September.
Twenty New Zealand-based players have already been identified in an elite talent pool alongside 40 of their Australian counterparts, of which the Warriors, Roosters, Dragons and Broncos can sign a maximum of 15 players each by midJune.
The remaining spots in the 22-strong rosters will be made up of free agents, with clubs to finalise their squads by the end of July before training can commence at the start of August.
The Warriors will continue to monitor club form, but not every province holds regular local competitions.
And with the Kiwi Ferns also selecting a wider training squad of 30 at the end of the tournament, there is plenty riding on performances over the next three days.
‘‘It’s really important because this is the one opportunity, without having an open trial or going around the whole of New Zealand, where we can actually see players from around the country,’’ Avaiki told Stuff.
‘‘The players knew that this would be the main recruitment event for Kiwi Ferns and NRL. They knew they had to make their provincial team to be seen.’’
One of the greatest players in Kiwi Ferns history, Avaiki captained her country to three consecutive World Cup titles and the Warriors moved quickly to appoint her as coach in March.
She says the announcement of the NRL competition has been a huge motivator for players and is looking forward to seeing them back their ability and demand selection.
‘‘The marquee players who have been given a letter from the NRL and NZRL are in the best position to make that first step and say ‘pick me’. But it’s up to them whether they take that opportunity or not,’’ Avaiki said.
‘‘Fitness is definitely key because of the short turn around, we’re only three months out.
‘‘I’m looking for mobility, skill, speed . . . all of those sort of things that are going to help with the game plan we want to play.’’
The draw for the NRL Women’s Premiership is yet to be confirmed but it will take place over four weeks, with the matches part of doubleheaders throughout the men’s finals series.
The Warriors will begin approaching players after this weekend but one person who is unlikely to be in the team is Kiwi Ferns star Teuila Fotu-Moala.
The 24-year-old back-rower, player of the tournament at last year’s World Cup, has been linked to the Brisbane Broncos and appeared to let the cat out of the bag on Twitter earlier this week before the tweet was later removed.
Avaiki has spoken with FotuMoala but will not hold it against her if she does decide to head to Australia.
While the players will be paid – it has been reported that contracts for the four-week competition will be worth up to $9000 – they are not fulltime deals and not everyone will be in a position to relocate.
Avaiki, who also represented Samoa in rugby union, reflected on her own playing career and if some Kiwi players accept opportunities that may not come around again, they go with her support.
‘‘I think about myself and the opportunities I got in rugby from league. I got a rugby contract to play in Italy that I knew was only for a short time and people around me gave me good advice,’’ Avaiki said
‘‘I want players to be able to be empowered to make their own decisions. It’s far too early for us to dictate to players what they should and shouldn’t do.
‘‘I am very confident in the depth we have in New Zealand to be able to cover that.’’
Defending champions Counties Manukau Stingrays are among the six teams vying for national honours at Auckland’s Cornwall Park.
Pool play takes place today ahead of the semifinals tomorrow, with the grand final scheduled for 1pm on Monday.