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FWC on Sport Nation guideStar recruit Broughton proves value in impressive Warriors debut
Regan Harrison • July 6th, 2026 12:30 pm
Gayle Broughton | Photo: Photosport
The Warriors women opened their campaign with a convincing 32-10 defeat against the Canterbury Bulldogs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton over the weekend.
After a shaky start to the match that was marred by penalties against the Warriors, the hosts regrouped and eased to a one-sided win on the back of seven tries.
The Warriors' group of off-season recruits impressed, highlighted by the performance of Gayle Broughton.
The former Black Ferns Sevens star shined in her Warriors debut, forming an imposing left edge which should pose plenty of problems for the competition in 2026.
“I think her being able to link with Emmanita Paki on that left edge is just beautiful to see and having Api Nicholls just being able to swing onto the ball and put Gayle in a bit more space," noted ex-Kiwi Fern Charlotte Scanlan on Sport Nation Mornings.
“I think that left-edge is going to be deadly for the Warriors.”
After going scoreless last season, Paki ran in her first two tries for the Warriors against the Bulldogs.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the locals, whose poor discipline saw them pinged consistently through the opening stages of the contest.
NRLW star Tiana Davison on staying true to her Waitara roots | The Six Again Podcast
Scanlan put those issues down to some misguided early-season enthusiasm and a touch of rust.
“If you look across the board for the NRLW there was a number of sin bins throughout the whole competition for the first round and I think a little bit of teething issue, there's a bit of fatigue."
Judging by the first weekend of the competition, Scanlan believes the Warriors are going to be one of the teams to beat.
“I think, you know, the top three teams that came through from the weekend, us (Warriors), the Roosters and the Broncos, if you look on paper, who should be in the top 3, it should be us three.” Scanlan said.
The one negative note for the Warriors was the loss of star winger Payton Takimoana due to injury, although Stacey Waaka - who sat out the first match of the season with concussion - should be a readymade replacement.
The Warriors will now head to Canberra to face the Raiders on Sunday.
Ron Griffiths on turning Black Ferns Sevens stars into NRLW weapons | The Six Again Podcast
