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Griffiths confident Maliepo is Warriors’ long-term hooker
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • August 12th, 2026 11:54 am
Patricia Maliepo | Photo: Photosport
Warriors NRLW coach Ron Griffiths believes Patricia Maliepo could be the club’s long-term answer at hooker, backing the rugby convert to “revolutionise” the way the position is played in the women’s game.
Griffiths said last week he was close to settling on his preferred starting 13 after using the opening six weeks of the competition to experiment with combinations and positions.
Maliepo, a former Hurricanes player, switched codes from rugby and spent the 2025 NRLW season at halfback. She also started the early rounds of this campaign in the halves before being shifted to hooker, where Griffiths now sees major long-term potential.
The change has allowed premiership-winning five-eighth and former sevens star Gayle Broughton to move into halfback, with Emmanita Paki slotting into five-eighth.
Maliepo’s move to hooker came after fellow rugby convert Jay Huriwai suffered a head knock.
Former Wallaroo Jay Huriwai's desire to play for Kiwi Ferns | The Six Again Podcast
Huriwai has since returned on the bench, while Capri Paekau, who started at hooker for the first two games of the season, has been named in the reserves for this weekend’s clash against the Wests Tigers.
Talking to Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy, Griffiths said he believes Maliepo could become a serious weapon at hooker.
“It’s actually uncanny that you talk about it. I spoke with her yesterday and just said we want to keep building both parts of your game.
“I think you could play anywhere in the team. I really do.”
Griffiths said Maliepo’s skill set made her more than just a temporary option in the No. 9 jersey.
“I also think she could revolutionise how nines play the game in NRLW,” he said.
“She’s tough. She sees the game well and she’s got a remarkable kicking game.
“So once we can give her the pictures to see that she needs to keep chasing as a nine, she’s going to develop and evolve.”
Patricia Maliepo | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The Kiwi Ferns assistant coach also stated Maliepo’s versatility could also strengthen her New Zealand representative hopes, with the coach confident she has the ability to cover several key positions.
“There’s no reason that she couldn’t play representative football at the back end of the year as a nine,” he said.
“What it will also do is hold her in good stead for selection anywhere, because she could play six, seven, nine, 13.
“Very, very smart footballer.”
The 23-year-old, who served as the Kiwi Ferns halfback in 2025, could now be in contention for a hooker role alongside captain Georgia Hale and Brooke Anderson.
Listen to the full interview below:
