July 5, 2025 • 8 mins
The Warriors Women are making their grand return to the NRLW, and one player opened up about the switch.
10-test Black Fern Patricia Maliepo joined the side just days after helping the Blues win the Super Rugby Aupiki final for the second straight year.
She joined Piney to discuss further.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks edb Who.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
On Weekend Sport. High excitement as the Warriors women make
their return to the nrl W after a five year absence.
They've just kicked off against the Roosters at Alian Stadium
in Sydney. Ten Test black firm Patricia Malieppo joined the
Warriors just days after helping the Blues win the Super
(00:33):
Rugby Ope key title for the second straight year. She
is starting at five eighth in the season opening this afternoon.
I spoke to her on Friday and asked first of
all about her decision to switch codes.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Oh, best all, I think I just me and my
journey in rugby. I kind of felt like it was
just up and down and not going anywhere within the
past year. So yeah, I did have to make that
tough decision on whether I wanted to you know, stick
around and be back up for World Cup or take
(01:07):
on an opportunity and just try something new and possibly
have the opportunity to play. So yeah, I think just
I think I needed it myself, and yeah, I just
had a gut feeling to make the search and just
you know, have a fresh start in a new code. Yeah,
which was really exciting and I'm enjoying it so far.
(01:30):
So I'm really pleased with the decision that I've made.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Yeah, good on you. When you spoke with head coach
Ron Griffiths, What did he specifically say that convinced you
that this would be the right move for you?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Olmost thought he was concepting me through blues and I
was like, oh my gosh, is this legal or yeah?
But crazy? But I think the man just I think
his heart, Like he's just got a big heart for people,
and I think he's a people first type of person
rather than a player, and I read respect that and yeah,
(02:09):
he just kind of implemented on like how he wanted
the team to look and the culture and just the environment,
and yeah, I really drive off that type of stuff
rather than just being seen as a as a player.
I think there's more to a person than a player.
(02:30):
So yeah, just him having a big heart for people
is probably what drew me into yeah to want to
play under him.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Fantastic. So did you play any rugby league growing up
or is this all new?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Honestly, it's going to sound crazy, but this is new.
This is all new. This is like picking up the
rugby ball for the first time how many years ago,
but with the league. So yeah, this weekend will be
my first rugby league game. That is so cool. I
just love that.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I love that. So how have you found it and
what have been the biggest adjustments that you've found You've
had to make as you get ready to play thirteen
a side rather than fifteen a side.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah at this, don't get me wrong, but at the
start of pre season it was pretty hard to like
it was kind of just like, yeah, take put on
your boots, get on the field, see how you feel.
And kind of learned that way where I'm so used
to being well, I've been told what to do and
(03:41):
stuff the past couple of years and rugby and it's
just been like, it's not far different. But I think
the physicality is. I think it's up there, and I
think the only difference between rugby league and rugby union
is that and the shuttles of getting up maybe the
tag of getting back.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yeah, I think that.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Yeah, that's a turning point.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
That's a different kind of fitness, isn't it. Well, I
mean i'd know personally, but it looks like a different
kind of fitness, as you say, the shuttles that you know,
making the tackle, getting back in the line, plus the
physicality of the tackles coming your way as well. Have
you had to kind of I mean, you're in pretty
good shape, but have you had to sort of steal
yourself for the physicality that you're going to encounter in
(04:24):
rugby league.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Oh definitely. I think I'm quite grateful that I've got
freaking good teammates and runners like Shakira Baker and like
the likes of heart attime then just to like run
it at me, because man, you're they're just like full
(04:46):
just no handbrake on running at you, and you're you've
got to get off what ten meters back and try
making dominant tackle, which you probably won't if you see
them running at you. So yeah, really grateful for them,
and yeah it's really tested my shoulders, but I think
(05:07):
I'm determined they're ready for this Sunday understanding.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
And it's a whole new group as well, isn't it. Patricia.
You know there's there's a lot of new players who
haven't necessarily played together before. I know you've played with
some of the Black fernds who have come across as well.
But how have you gone about establishing connections as a
team off the field as you prepare to go onto
the field.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Oh yeah, Well, like you said, I think we are
definitely a very diverse team in the light of coming
from different codes and different levels of rug being professional professionalism.
But we did have a connections camp down at a
Maria wake up. I think I forgot the name of
(05:56):
them that I but I think from there our connection
just grew tighter. And yeah, we've been building off field
and just little team team group activities is keeping us
in line, and I think I think the girls just
feel like it's an environment where you can just be
open and it's a safe space for them to, like,
(06:21):
you know, go up to uppy nickels and ask her
questions about footing or just just have a general conversation
about life. So yeah, I think our team is very approachable,
very kind human beings, and they're lovely people.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
It's good to hear. So going into your first game,
it's it's likely you'll be heavy underdogs against the Roosters.
Are you okay with that tag?
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Yeah, I think I think there will be a shot
to the n r L doubles, the Warriors returning, and yeah,
I just think New Zealanders are different hitters, so you know,
you just never know what to expect on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
So yeah, and I know you're only just starting out
on your rugby league journey, but have you closed the
door on rugby union or is that something that you
think in the future you may go back to.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Honestly, recently I have been thinking and stuff, but I'm
kind of just living in the moment and enjoying each
step of the way and whatever comes in the future comes.
But yeah, my main priority is the Warriors this season,
and yeah, wherever that leads me at the end of
the season, and what I feel like makes me happy
(07:42):
and makes me feel valued, then yeah, who knows what
would have been next?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
What a mindset, what I'm mind set to have. Hey, Patricia,
it's been such a delight chatting to you. Look, we
can't wait to see how the Warriors will go in
the NRLW now that you're back in there after a
long absence. All the best for your first game and
look forward to catching up at some stage throughout the season.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate your time and.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
That is Patricia Mallieppl, who I spoke to on Friday.
I couldn't talk to us today because they're playing at
the moment, and in fact, would you believe it, Patricia Maliepple,
while that interview was playing, has scored the warriors first
try of the season, so clearly appearing on the radio
is helpful in scoring tries in the NRLW.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks edb Who.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
On Weekend Sport. High excitement as the Warriors women make
their return to the nrl W after a five year absence.
They've just kicked off against the Roosters at Alian Stadium
in Sydney. Ten Test black firm Patricia Malieppo joined the
Warriors just days after helping the Blues win the Super
(00:33):
Rugby Ope key title for the second straight year. She
is starting at five eighth in the season opening this afternoon.
I spoke to her on Friday and asked first of
all about her decision to switch codes.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Oh, best all, I think I just me and my
journey in rugby. I kind of felt like it was
just up and down and not going anywhere within the
past year. So yeah, I did have to make that
tough decision on whether I wanted to you know, stick
around and be back up for World Cup or take
(01:07):
on an opportunity and just try something new and possibly
have the opportunity to play. So yeah, I think just
I think I needed it myself, and yeah, I just
had a gut feeling to make the search and just
you know, have a fresh start in a new code. Yeah,
which was really exciting and I'm enjoying it so far.
(01:30):
So I'm really pleased with the decision that I've made.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Yeah, good on you. When you spoke with head coach
Ron Griffiths, What did he specifically say that convinced you
that this would be the right move for you?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Olmost thought he was concepting me through blues and I
was like, oh my gosh, is this legal or yeah?
But crazy? But I think the man just I think
his heart, Like he's just got a big heart for people,
and I think he's a people first type of person
rather than a player, and I read respect that and yeah,
(02:09):
he just kind of implemented on like how he wanted
the team to look and the culture and just the environment,
and yeah, I really drive off that type of stuff
rather than just being seen as a as a player.
I think there's more to a person than a player.
(02:30):
So yeah, just him having a big heart for people
is probably what drew me into yeah to want to
play under him.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Fantastic. So did you play any rugby league growing up
or is this all new?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Honestly, it's going to sound crazy, but this is new.
This is all new. This is like picking up the
rugby ball for the first time how many years ago,
but with the league. So yeah, this weekend will be
my first rugby league game. That is so cool. I
just love that.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I love that. So how have you found it and
what have been the biggest adjustments that you've found You've
had to make as you get ready to play thirteen
a side rather than fifteen a side.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah at this, don't get me wrong, but at the
start of pre season it was pretty hard to like
it was kind of just like, yeah, take put on
your boots, get on the field, see how you feel.
And kind of learned that way where I'm so used
to being well, I've been told what to do and
(03:41):
stuff the past couple of years and rugby and it's
just been like, it's not far different. But I think
the physicality is. I think it's up there, and I
think the only difference between rugby league and rugby union
is that and the shuttles of getting up maybe the
tag of getting back.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yeah, I think that.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Yeah, that's a turning point.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
That's a different kind of fitness, isn't it. Well, I
mean i'd know personally, but it looks like a different
kind of fitness, as you say, the shuttles that you know,
making the tackle, getting back in the line, plus the
physicality of the tackles coming your way as well. Have
you had to kind of I mean, you're in pretty
good shape, but have you had to sort of steal
yourself for the physicality that you're going to encounter in
(04:24):
rugby league.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Oh definitely. I think I'm quite grateful that I've got
freaking good teammates and runners like Shakira Baker and like
the likes of heart attime then just to like run
it at me, because man, you're they're just like full
(04:46):
just no handbrake on running at you, and you're you've
got to get off what ten meters back and try
making dominant tackle, which you probably won't if you see
them running at you. So yeah, really grateful for them,
and yeah it's really tested my shoulders, but I think
(05:07):
I'm determined they're ready for this Sunday understanding.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
And it's a whole new group as well, isn't it. Patricia.
You know there's there's a lot of new players who
haven't necessarily played together before. I know you've played with
some of the Black fernds who have come across as well.
But how have you gone about establishing connections as a
team off the field as you prepare to go onto
the field.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Oh yeah, Well, like you said, I think we are
definitely a very diverse team in the light of coming
from different codes and different levels of rug being professional professionalism.
But we did have a connections camp down at a
Maria wake up. I think I forgot the name of
(05:56):
them that I but I think from there our connection
just grew tighter. And yeah, we've been building off field
and just little team team group activities is keeping us
in line, and I think I think the girls just
feel like it's an environment where you can just be
open and it's a safe space for them to, like,
(06:21):
you know, go up to uppy nickels and ask her
questions about footing or just just have a general conversation
about life. So yeah, I think our team is very approachable,
very kind human beings, and they're lovely people.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
It's good to hear. So going into your first game,
it's it's likely you'll be heavy underdogs against the Roosters.
Are you okay with that tag?
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Yeah, I think I think there will be a shot
to the n r L doubles, the Warriors returning, and yeah,
I just think New Zealanders are different hitters, so you know,
you just never know what to expect on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
So yeah, and I know you're only just starting out
on your rugby league journey, but have you closed the
door on rugby union or is that something that you
think in the future you may go back to.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Honestly, recently I have been thinking and stuff, but I'm
kind of just living in the moment and enjoying each
step of the way and whatever comes in the future comes.
But yeah, my main priority is the Warriors this season,
and yeah, wherever that leads me at the end of
the season, and what I feel like makes me happy
(07:42):
and makes me feel valued, then yeah, who knows what
would have been next?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
What a mindset, what I'm mind set to have. Hey, Patricia,
it's been such a delight chatting to you. Look, we
can't wait to see how the Warriors will go in
the NRLW now that you're back in there after a
long absence. All the best for your first game and
look forward to catching up at some stage throughout the season.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate your time and.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
That is Patricia Mallieppl, who I spoke to on Friday.
I couldn't talk to us today because they're playing at
the moment, and in fact, would you believe it, Patricia Maliepple,
while that interview was playing, has scored the warriors first
try of the season, so clearly appearing on the radio
is helpful in scoring tries in the NRLW.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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