Kaiyah Atai: Warriors Women second rower previews clash against the Raiders, talks re-signing with the team

The NRLW Warriors are on a roll, winning two on the bounce and finding themselves in the top 6.  

This weekend they face off against the NRLW Raiders down at their home away from home, FMG Stadium in Hamilton. 

NRLW Warriors second rower, Kaiyah Atai sat down with D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss her recent re-signing until the end of the 2027 season, preview the game, and talk about the growth of Women's Rugby League in New Zealand. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
We're going to talk the Warriors, no, not the men
from last night, but the fraud today in RLW team
take on their Raiders counterparts. There are a bird of
a tear right now starting to push put together excuse me,
some good victory. So tonight seven o'clock FMT Stadium in

(00:32):
Hamilton's watching on Sky Sport four and one of the
players will be looking at joins us now O kaya Tai.

Speaker 3 (00:38):
Good morning morning, Darcy, Thanks for having me.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
It's been a big week for you, right. Not only
have your teammates and your team managed to grab that
victory move up the table, but you've also signed for
another couple of years for the wast Big news for you.

Speaker 1 (00:54):
Huh. Yeah.

Speaker 4 (00:56):
So I've recently just signed for another two years, so
I'll be with the club until the end of twenty
twenty seven. So yeah, really happy about that and I'll
win obviously last weekend.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Well that must fill you guys with a heap of
energy to know that you can actually get this done
and you've got it in you and you've got to
You've got a whole barrage of tries going on there
as well, haven't you.

Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, it's good to get to win our first back
to back when for our in our w team. So yeah,
it's good building confidence into the second half of the season.

Speaker 2 (01:30):
What do you put that down to.

Speaker 3 (01:33):
I think it's just the girls showing up every week
and we've had a couple of changes.

Speaker 4 (01:37):
In our lineups, but every girl that stay bird has
really stepped up, and we're just so connected on and
off the field, and yet it's really starting to show
on the field.

Speaker 2 (01:47):
That all just a matter of time more than anything,
after coming back into the competition, just getting used to
each other and where you all sit.

Speaker 4 (01:54):
Yeah, so I think we're coming up to our seventh
game now, So having game time under our belts definitely
help with everyone.

Speaker 3 (02:02):
Especially our girls who haven't really played league before.

Speaker 4 (02:05):
And yeah, just starting so late into the season where
most of us already playing early on in the year
for club. Yet it's good to get more game time
under our about.

Speaker 2 (02:16):
So you take a leadership role on you've been playing
for a while, okay, to carry that responsibility of helping
some of the rugby players through to the game of
rugby league.

Speaker 4 (02:25):
Yeah, it's actually pretty funny just coming into the professional space.

Speaker 3 (02:29):
You know, they've been professionals for ages, but they've never
played league before. So I guess it goes both ways.

Speaker 4 (02:36):
Us Leggie is helping them out to learn the game
and then them just bringing in the professionalism into our environment,
which is really cool.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
Sounds like everybody wins.

Speaker 3 (02:47):
Yeah, we all do.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
As far as your own form. Where are you sitting
right now? You're playing on the edge, You're happy enough
with what you can or you're not happy with what
you're contributing. Athletes never are, But where do you think
you can bring more to the field.

Speaker 4 (03:02):
Yeah, I'm really happy with where I'm at now, but
every week just trying to improve, you know, and stay
connected with the players around me and our edge.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
What do we know about the Canberra Raiders? What can
you tell us about what they're doing? Don't say they're
at the bottom of the table because I know this,
But what will they bring it to a threat? Because
all teams are a threat regardless, right.

Speaker 4 (03:25):
Yes, they've got some really good players in their side,
and I think with our team, you know, we just
focus on ourselves, but never take our jersey for granted.
You know, we just go hid every week no matter
who we're playing.

Speaker 2 (03:40):
Still playing with a huge amount of joy. It's one
thing I like talking to you and the Warriors side
is that you've got smiles white the lo over your
face all the time and trot sports all about.

Speaker 3 (03:51):
Yeah, I think we all really enjoy each other.

Speaker 4 (03:55):
And then just getting out there and playing with each
other every week, and especially coming off two wins, I
think the girls be very happy, but yeah, we've still
got a job to do this weekend.

Speaker 2 (04:05):
The fact that you in a sense you are helping
the next generation coming through, you carry that responsibility. Look,
talking with Methanoia, she feels that as well. Talking previously
too to Lachan and she says the same thing. Really
take that responsibility seriously about being figureheads, I suppose role model.

Speaker 4 (04:29):
Yeah yeah, And I think just speaking on us too,
I think it's really important and special for us as
well because we've come through the grassroots footy here in
Auckland and it's so special to just have the New
Zealand Warriors back in the competition and we get to
stay here at home and it kind of shows the
girls coming up that they didn't have to move elsewhere
or move to oz To. You know, have these kind

(04:51):
of opportunities and you've spoken about it a lot with
our group and our coaching stuff and everything. The opportunity
we've got to pave the way for the younger girls
coming up in New Zealand.

Speaker 2 (05:03):
Is it getting traction the game of rugby league with
young ladies.

Speaker 4 (05:08):
Yes, I feel like the grassroots pooty here is just
growing and growing, especially in the female side of things,
especially at my junior club.

Speaker 3 (05:17):
We've got a lot of.

Speaker 4 (05:20):
At the Richmond Motors, We've got a lot of Rosebuds
teams coming up. And yeah, just to see the way
they play and how many numbers are now playing is
just so cool.

Speaker 2 (05:29):
Wishing you the best. You're playing down in Taynui Land,
you're in Hamilton at the FMG Stadium, Wishing you the best.
Hope there's a big crowd and you can go three
on the bounce. And with that, thank you very much
for joining us on the program, Ki go Well.

Speaker 3 (05:44):
Thank you so much for having me Darcy.

Speaker 1 (05:46):
For more from the Your Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
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