Harata Butler: NRLW Warriors prop previews their opening clash against the Bulldogs

The NRLW Warriors are kicking off their season this weekend, hosting the Bulldogs at Waikato’s FMG Stadium.  

Harata Butler is a prop for the side, and joined Adam Cooper to preview the weekend’s match.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News talk edb Well.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Twenty twenty five was the return year of the Warriors
in the NRLW competition, but twenty twenty six certainly looks
set to be the season this team puts the rest
of the competition on notice. Coach Ron Griffiths has overhauled
the side, bringing in three members of last year's champion
Broncos Gail Broughton, Melli Hufunger and Netta Niwa Sulla, as

(00:32):
well as seven's superstar Stacey Waka. The Warriors campaign it
gets underway in Hamilton tomorrow afternoon they host the Bulldogs
and someone returning for another season has prop harder to Butler,
who of course has played for several teams over the
years in the NRLW. Haratas with us now morning. Yes,
some of those names being read out, Haratza. It must
be exciting as you count down to kick off tomorrow.

Speaker 3 (00:56):
Yeah, morning, Adam, thank you for having me on the
show this morning. Yes, as you said, the exciting excitement
and that's been built up with our massive additions to
the squad, with the likes of you know, Girl Brawl
and met and LaSala Miler, Hufanga, Stacey Worker and even
some of our young ones that have come in with

(01:18):
on our the new suplementary contracts that are homegrowing. So
like what's the whole Yeah, it's just added that extra
layer of experience and just a lot of Mamma felt
throughout the whole preseason.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Bulldogs, any indication as to what threats they might bring.
I guess when you look at last year's results, similar
sort of season to what you had, what kind of
team you expecting them to bring to Hamilton tomorrow.

Speaker 3 (01:47):
Yeah, they've still managed to, you know, maintain a few
of their tea players. There were Teler Presson and seven
should we staring the shipp as she did last week
last year sorry alongside her and they still have the
lives of ash Quinlan and there with the Spine. But
also you know, if I if I'm want us, it's
more so us girls, knowing that in the middle pack

(02:08):
there we've got the current Quiwiphon you know forward pack,
a couple of the forward pack and there with Ticker
and Alexis. So I guess I saw, you know, despite
the result last year, that's last year we're going off
of last year. We all know that it's it's as
a team sweep. It's up for the takings for anybody

(02:31):
right now, and so you know, we're expecting a tough
game and we just can't wait to, you know, for
them to feel that feeling soon as the sooners the
wheels hit the timet as our coach would say, that
they're they're geary enough to you know, feel what's going
to be out on the paddock.

Speaker 2 (02:48):
Great, it's a huge boost of experienced as you mentioned,
but when you sort of have had that trial game,
you've been in the team trainings for a number of weeks. Now,
what is the strength of your team approaching the season?
Do you think what's going to stand out this year
from the Warriors?

Speaker 3 (03:00):
I don't want to be biased, and I know they're
going to think I am. I absolutely feel like our
ward pack is going to dominate this competition physically, but
also with the experience. Yet we're going to be coming
up against some much fitter forward packs throughout the season,
but with the with the physicality that we bring but

(03:23):
also the mental toughness, I really think we're going to
dominate on that side of the park. But then it's
hard to say. Also when I look at our back
line we've got we've got a world class back line,
you know, even our spine. We've got you know, Uppy
now Captain Uppy at the back there, we've got Gal
Broaden in a sex We've got you know, Patricia Malai

(03:45):
Airport in her second season of nrr W in the
seven this year, you know, so that's a big step
up for her as well as the life of Stacy
Wiker and believers Funger out on the edges with Peyton
on a wing, you know last year, dam winer of
the Season her first season. Like, I'm just being vice
the same we've got you know, it's a it's a

(04:06):
board game here for us. But in all honest these
these no it's quite level. And that's that's been you know,
that's actually been evident in our trial games, both in
the middle and both at the edges. So I don't
know what's kind of like, how we turn up each

(04:26):
week depends on who's going to really you know, I
think it's a good thing. We're in a position where
we can really compete with each other, the forwards in
the backs to see who brings the you know, see
who can bring the the final whistle to an end
with us over the other side of the line and.

Speaker 2 (04:41):
A game to start the season in Hambleton. You know
that's your hood, isn't it, the White Cutter.

Speaker 3 (04:47):
This is White hood, Adam, that sure is very proud
of White Couple. You know, White Uttle rugby league has
been it's been but bumpy at the beginning of this year,
I must say, so, you know, to be able to
bring back some you know, international and professional rugby league
back to the White Couple with a bit of you know,

(05:09):
two appearances down here, it's exciting. Last year was like,
you know, yes this is our second home away from home,
but for me this is home and it's it's a
special it's special running out on it from g staty
and running out in front of your final and I'm
just as you know, I'm excited for the likes of
Maya who we want to make her debut in the

(05:31):
Warriors Jersey at home here a proud tunny photo you know,
born in bread Kid as well as Capri Pipo, who's
also you know spinch from here, stems from here. And
then I look forward through if you know, when we
do come back later on in the season, Adam, and
I can probably see you know, Stacy White is going
to be also being able to add on to that

(05:53):
White couple, that White couple depths. So yeah, very excited
for tomorrow.

Speaker 2 (05:58):
Amazing now so await and I can't wait to see
you all in action. Hard to tell obviously you returnees,
but also the exciting new players as well. Thanks for
your time. Awesome to hear how the preparation has been going,
and all the very best for this weekend and the
weeks ahead for this what boats to be a very
special season, I'm sure. So thanks for chatting.

Speaker 3 (06:16):
Thank you, Adam, Thank you so much. We appreciate your
follow support. We'll see you.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
Follow us tomorrow for more from the Your Sport Breakfast
with Darcy Watergrave, listen live to news talks that'd be
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