Warriors women gather at their new Mt Smart headquarters. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors survivor Apii Nicholls is somewhat bemused at her return to Mt Smart, as the club rekindles its NRLW aspirations this season.
As one of the club's foundation women's players in 2018, she will forever carry the No.2 cap through her career and beyond, but even she didn't expect to be back her so soon, after the team was disbanded during the Covid 19 pandemic.
This week, the new-look roster assembled in Auckland for the first time, as their new headquarters - previously the home of Oceania Football - received a traditional Māori blessing.
The squad is a mix of experienced Kiwis Ferns internationals and NRLW veterans, along with local club players stepping into professional ranks for the first time and a smattering of rugby union converts, including sevens superstar Michaela Brake. They will be guided by two-time championship coach Ron Griffiths.
Fullback Nicholls, 32, seemed as thrilled as her young teammates to be back on familiar ground.
Apii Nicholls in action for the Warriors women in 2020. Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport
"I feel like I'm on the same level as them," she said. "I'm pinching myself as well.
"It's great to see we have so much talent coming through and for them to have this opportunity.
"It's an exciting feeling and a proud moment as well, because from where we came from, there's so much more we have now - this team shed and so much staff on board. There's a really good feeling for this season.
"It's everything I've wanted for our local girls, who have been trying to get into this space. Really grateful for what the club is doing for us."
Nicholls played six games for the Warriors women during the first two seasons of NRLW competition, contested by only four teams. In 2020, when Covid hit and the team could not travel across the Tasman, the club fielded a side made up of Australian-based players, but folded the programme afterwards, promising to return one day.
"I knew I would hopefully one day be back in the Warriors jersey, but I didn't think it would come so soon," Nicholls admits. "When I did get the call from Ron, I was surprised, but I thought about my family and coming back was the best for them."
Warriors women participate in the traditional Māori blessing of their headquarters. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
In the meantime, she did what she could to keep her competitive fires burning. She took some time off, but signed for Gold Coast Titans in 2022 and then Canberra Raiders for their maiden NRLW season in 2023.
Nicholls also switched codes to join Chiefs Manawa for two seasons in Super Rugby Aupiki.
"Getting different experiences from different coaching staff has helped my game a lot," she said. "I've definitely learnt a lot in the last couple of years.
"I was with the Titans and the Raiders as well, and appreciate all the coaching staff that have helped me as a player and a person.
"I'm keen to learn from Ron and see what he has, not just for me, but our team."
Griffiths comes to Auckland with great coaching pedigree, masterminding back-to-back titles for the Knights, as well as three years as Indigenous All-Stars coach. That experience has prepared him for the part local culture will play win the Warriors women, after their traditional greeting.
"I'm an Aboriginal man from New South Wales and part of our culture is, if we go into someone else's country, we seek permission and they welcome us on," he said. "These sort of things aren't second nature, but I'm certainly used to them and I understand the importance of them - it's special.
"The relationship between us and Ngati Whatua is strong, and we need to keep it that way. The club, as a whole, it's important we honour the custodians and they do that well."
Ron Griffiths participates in the traditional Māori blessing of the Warriors women's headquarters. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Griffiths has seven weeks to shape his squad into a unite that can compete in a competition that has now expanded to 12 teams. First up on 7 July are defending champions Sydney Roosters.
"It's been a long time coming - 12 months in preparation, but six months of having the squad settled and ready to go," Griffiths said. "Those moments like today, when they get to look at their locker, they're moments that are etched in history.
"Importantly, I think we need to tick off playing a particular style of football. We're going to play a certain way and we've recruited that way with players that will suit the style of football we want.
"Now, it's about balancing and making sure we can play to players' strengths also, getting them fit, and making sure they're connected and working hard for each other."
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