July 3, 2025 • 7 mins
Head coach of the Warriors Women Ron Griffiths joins Elliott Smith to discuss the clubs long-awaited reintroduction to the NRLW competition.
How will the experience of captain Apii Nicholls benefit the team as the only player to return home for the Warriors comeback campaign?
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Warriors women's side returning to the NRLW this year
after an absence of four years since COVID nineteen put
an end to their plans joining us now is their
head coach Ron Griffiths. Ron, thanks so much of your
time with us here on News Talk zb.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Any, Tom Elliott, really, I really appreciate you getting me on.
Thank you well.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
A few days out. How excited are you and the
team to begin this new chapter of women's rugby league
in New Zealand?
Speaker 4 (00:39):
I think you The excitement's palpable. That's what your train
all preseason for to get ready for round one.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
And I know the players are excited.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
But further to that, the staff and myself in particular,
we're very excited to watch them.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Players are our supporters and viive in general.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Have you approached us as a clean slate and obviously
there were a couple of years the team participated after
entering But is this a new team and a new
era for the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
It's definitely a new era, you know for us.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Importantly, we need to honor the past and the legacy
that they've left behind. Like last night we had a
jersey presentation and we had the first ever captain along
from the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Inaugural team, so that was special. So we certainly need
to honor it.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
But at the same time understand that, you know, we're
building a foundation for the next generation of players to
come through.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Have you got a style of rugby league that you
want to play? Obviously there's a lot of cultures that
you're blending in together New Zealand, Australia, pacifica MOLDI into
this Warriors team. Is there a style of rugby league
that you want to implement?
Speaker 4 (01:40):
I think importantly you've touched on the culture, so I'll
certainly be very connected a diverse range of cultures that
you know, we've done a lot to connect them. But
in terms of style, I think a natural fit for
the Warriors is a tough, uncompromising team and that's what
we'll see.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
You've coached Newcastle to a couple of premierships before coming
to the Warriors. How has the NRLW grown over the
last few years The Warriors now, this new team considered
a bit of an expansion team, but from where it
started a few years go to what we're seeing this
year in the quality a standard of competition that you expect.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Well, I think if you look back twelve months ago
when the origin was on the Queensland verse New South Wales,
if you watch the first game, I'm sure many pundits
and people in the game walked away thinking, well, that
might have been a little bit deflating in terms of
the skill level, understanding that the players hadn't had a preseason,
they hadn't played any games. But further twelve months on,
if you look at the first game, you could see
(02:32):
that and they're in the same situation. They hadn't had
a game or a preseason. You know their skill level
and the game was high quality. So you can see
in twelve months just how much it's grown. And with
the addition of two new teams, you know the growth
will be exponential over the next five years.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Have you had enough time with your hands on this team?
Speaker 3 (02:51):
More than enough, mate, more than enough? Yeah? Will be good.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Obviously a lot of interest Ron coming into the season
with michaelab Brake out of the women's sevens program winning
a couple of Olympic medals. How has she adapted to
her new environment too, and new sport and what you
expecting from her over the course of the season.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
She's adapted extremely well.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
One thing Mikayla does is she's turned up prepared ready
to go in terms of her athleticism, and since she's
been that, she's just been invested in trying to make
sure that she's the best athlete for the club and
her teammates.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
And Patricia Mally Youpaul as well. Coming out of the
women's fifteens environments. How different is it steering a team
from her position as five eighth to what she's been
doing in rugby union And what have you told her
about adapting to being a playmaker in rugby league.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Well, I think one thing about the rugby and league
that a lot of the principles of the same. Rugby
league's not as complex in terms of the rules, you know,
where it's probably different. If you know, we've just got
to move up and back and get up off the ground, you.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Know more and more than a lot more than in
rugby union.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
So for Patricia it's about harnessing her skill set fine
and what's the best part of her game and going
to chase that and that's what we've spoken to her
about like she's she can see the game.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
She sees the game Rugby All League very well.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
So from our perspective, it's getting to realize that and
then been able to play what's in front and then
given her the authority or given her the.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Freedom to go and do that.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
So that's what we've spoken to her about, and that's
what we've chased with her.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
She's a special talent.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Harpy Nichols as well. The only player that's played for
the Warrior is previously out of the starting seventeen. This
week she's the captain obviously of the team as well.
Do you send to I guess the team around her
given her experience.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I think importantly.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
The other stats that go with that is sixty five
percent of our players haven't played in RLW S, seventy
five percent haven't played in the last twelve months. And
when you've got someone like Rpe, it's really important that
we use their experience. And you know what she does
is she leads by example. So she's shown the other
players what it takes to play at this level.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
The Warrior is men's team with a bit of momentum
obviously here in New Zealand at the moment with the
women's team starting, do you feel that side by side
they can create a few ripples when it comes to
sport in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
No doubt, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
I think one thing that you know, having the NRLW
team moment and it's coming a very opportunity time with
the growth and expansion of the competition, and as I said,
the game will growth from strength to strength.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I've no doubt. But what it's done has just provided
ladies an opportunity to have a choice, you know, to
what sport they want to player. It's given them another
sport to choose.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
So it's fantastic for the growth of growth of female growth.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Sorry for female athletes.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Ron Griffith's with us. The worry is women's coach a
hit of the re entry run. I know you've been
in the seat now for a few months, but what
was that attracted you to this job in the first place?
In coaching the Warriors.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
You know, I often speak with players when you sign
them and I'll say, when football is all said and done,
all you have is memories that you create with your family,
and I think that's one of the most important things
for me, you know, and for me to be able
to take my family over to a different country, a
beautiful country, great people, you know, I take them on
(06:01):
a lifelong adventure that was really important for us. So
when football's all said and done, will have and some
special moments.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
And further to that, I think the opportunity to.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Start from start fresh, you know, build things our own way,
and then leave a legacy behind.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
The Rooster's coming up first on Sunday afternoon Away. They're
one of the favorites for the title the season. What
do you expect from them on Sunday?
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I find out that coach he's an extremely you know,
his team will be well drilled. They spend a lot
of time together, so they'll feel comfortable whether they've got
players in or out, they'll know their role and they'll
know they'll have a good rhythm about them, you know.
But for us, you know, what an opportunity to go
and play the RAI raigning premiers like our ladies are
excited by that opportunity to go out there and just
really embrace the challenge that lies ahead.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
And what does success look like for the Warriors women's
team this season? One?
Speaker 4 (06:51):
I think that success looks like for us that we
will change the revolutionized rugby league women's rugby League in
New Zealand, and we're working on some things in the
background where you know, we've got an opportunity to run
different clinics right throughout New Zealand, North and South Island
and we've partnered up with Harvey Norman to do so.
The club are on board to make sure that we
maximize that and really grow the game. That's what success
(07:14):
looks like for us as a club long term as
a team this year, success will believe in a performance
out there every week that the players and their family
and the club will be proud of.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Well.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Certainly an exciting time. We wish you the best of
luck on Sunday, but of course across the season as
it unfolds. Ron thanks so much for your time with
us here on News Talks.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
He'd be thank you for more from Sports Talk. Listen
live to News Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Warriors women's side returning to the NRLW this year
after an absence of four years since COVID nineteen put
an end to their plans joining us now is their
head coach Ron Griffiths. Ron, thanks so much of your
time with us here on News Talk zb.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Any, Tom Elliott, really, I really appreciate you getting me on.
Thank you well.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
A few days out. How excited are you and the
team to begin this new chapter of women's rugby league
in New Zealand?
Speaker 4 (00:39):
I think you The excitement's palpable. That's what your train
all preseason for to get ready for round one.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
And I know the players are excited.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
But further to that, the staff and myself in particular,
we're very excited to watch them.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Players are our supporters and viive in general.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Have you approached us as a clean slate and obviously
there were a couple of years the team participated after
entering But is this a new team and a new
era for the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
It's definitely a new era, you know for us.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
Importantly, we need to honor the past and the legacy
that they've left behind. Like last night we had a
jersey presentation and we had the first ever captain along
from the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Inaugural team, so that was special. So we certainly need
to honor it.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
But at the same time understand that, you know, we're
building a foundation for the next generation of players to
come through.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Have you got a style of rugby league that you
want to play? Obviously there's a lot of cultures that
you're blending in together New Zealand, Australia, pacifica MOLDI into
this Warriors team. Is there a style of rugby league
that you want to implement?
Speaker 4 (01:40):
I think importantly you've touched on the culture, so I'll
certainly be very connected a diverse range of cultures that
you know, we've done a lot to connect them. But
in terms of style, I think a natural fit for
the Warriors is a tough, uncompromising team and that's what
we'll see.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
You've coached Newcastle to a couple of premierships before coming
to the Warriors. How has the NRLW grown over the
last few years The Warriors now, this new team considered
a bit of an expansion team, but from where it
started a few years go to what we're seeing this
year in the quality a standard of competition that you expect.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Well, I think if you look back twelve months ago
when the origin was on the Queensland verse New South Wales,
if you watch the first game, I'm sure many pundits
and people in the game walked away thinking, well, that
might have been a little bit deflating in terms of
the skill level, understanding that the players hadn't had a preseason,
they hadn't played any games. But further twelve months on,
if you look at the first game, you could see
(02:32):
that and they're in the same situation. They hadn't had
a game or a preseason. You know their skill level
and the game was high quality. So you can see
in twelve months just how much it's grown. And with
the addition of two new teams, you know the growth
will be exponential over the next five years.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Have you had enough time with your hands on this team?
Speaker 3 (02:51):
More than enough, mate, more than enough? Yeah? Will be good.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Obviously a lot of interest Ron coming into the season
with michaelab Brake out of the women's sevens program winning
a couple of Olympic medals. How has she adapted to
her new environment too, and new sport and what you
expecting from her over the course of the season.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
She's adapted extremely well.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
One thing Mikayla does is she's turned up prepared ready
to go in terms of her athleticism, and since she's
been that, she's just been invested in trying to make
sure that she's the best athlete for the club and
her teammates.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
And Patricia Mally Youpaul as well. Coming out of the
women's fifteens environments. How different is it steering a team
from her position as five eighth to what she's been
doing in rugby union And what have you told her
about adapting to being a playmaker in rugby league.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Well, I think one thing about the rugby and league
that a lot of the principles of the same. Rugby
league's not as complex in terms of the rules, you know,
where it's probably different. If you know, we've just got
to move up and back and get up off the ground, you.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Know more and more than a lot more than in
rugby union.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
So for Patricia it's about harnessing her skill set fine
and what's the best part of her game and going
to chase that and that's what we've spoken to her
about like she's she can see the game.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
She sees the game Rugby All League very well.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
So from our perspective, it's getting to realize that and
then been able to play what's in front and then
given her the authority or given her the.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Freedom to go and do that.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
So that's what we've spoken to her about, and that's
what we've chased with her.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
She's a special talent.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Harpy Nichols as well. The only player that's played for
the Warrior is previously out of the starting seventeen. This
week she's the captain obviously of the team as well.
Do you send to I guess the team around her
given her experience.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, I think importantly.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
The other stats that go with that is sixty five
percent of our players haven't played in RLW S, seventy
five percent haven't played in the last twelve months. And
when you've got someone like Rpe, it's really important that
we use their experience. And you know what she does
is she leads by example. So she's shown the other
players what it takes to play at this level.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
The Warrior is men's team with a bit of momentum
obviously here in New Zealand at the moment with the
women's team starting, do you feel that side by side
they can create a few ripples when it comes to
sport in New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
No doubt, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
I think one thing that you know, having the NRLW
team moment and it's coming a very opportunity time with
the growth and expansion of the competition, and as I said,
the game will growth from strength to strength.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I've no doubt. But what it's done has just provided
ladies an opportunity to have a choice, you know, to
what sport they want to player. It's given them another
sport to choose.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
So it's fantastic for the growth of growth of female growth.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Sorry for female athletes.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Ron Griffith's with us. The worry is women's coach a
hit of the re entry run. I know you've been
in the seat now for a few months, but what
was that attracted you to this job in the first place?
In coaching the Warriors.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
You know, I often speak with players when you sign
them and I'll say, when football is all said and done,
all you have is memories that you create with your family,
and I think that's one of the most important things
for me, you know, and for me to be able
to take my family over to a different country, a
beautiful country, great people, you know, I take them on
(06:01):
a lifelong adventure that was really important for us. So
when football's all said and done, will have and some
special moments.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
And further to that, I think the opportunity to.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Start from start fresh, you know, build things our own way,
and then leave a legacy behind.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
The Rooster's coming up first on Sunday afternoon Away. They're
one of the favorites for the title the season. What
do you expect from them on Sunday?
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I find out that coach he's an extremely you know,
his team will be well drilled. They spend a lot
of time together, so they'll feel comfortable whether they've got
players in or out, they'll know their role and they'll
know they'll have a good rhythm about them, you know.
But for us, you know, what an opportunity to go
and play the RAI raigning premiers like our ladies are
excited by that opportunity to go out there and just
really embrace the challenge that lies ahead.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
And what does success look like for the Warriors women's
team this season? One?
Speaker 4 (06:51):
I think that success looks like for us that we
will change the revolutionized rugby league women's rugby League in
New Zealand, and we're working on some things in the
background where you know, we've got an opportunity to run
different clinics right throughout New Zealand, North and South Island
and we've partnered up with Harvey Norman to do so.
The club are on board to make sure that we
maximize that and really grow the game. That's what success
(07:14):
looks like for us as a club long term as
a team this year, success will believe in a performance
out there every week that the players and their family
and the club will be proud of.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Well.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Certainly an exciting time. We wish you the best of
luck on Sunday, but of course across the season as
it unfolds. Ron thanks so much for your time with
us here on News Talks.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
He'd be thank you for more from Sports Talk. Listen
live to News Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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